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07-19-03: Christian bikers cruise
through town |
By LANCE MIHM
The Daily Standard
The Bicycling Ministry Across America group made its way through
downtown Celina at about 10 a.m. Friday morning as part of a cross-country trek to
Yorktown, Pennsylvania.
The trip, which started in Seattle Washington at the end of May,
culminates in Virginia on Aug. 8. The trip is a traveling ministry of Wheel Power
Christian Cyclists, based in Lynchburg, Va.
"It is a unique way of spreading God's word," said Steve
Bowman from the ministry's headquarters in a phone interview. "When you're behind the
wheel of a car, you can't reach a lot of people."
Steve is the son of Judy Bowman, who founded the first trip in 1994.
The cyclists travel about 65 miles a day and stop along the way to talk to people along
the road.
"It is a wonderful way to win souls to Christ," Bowman said.
"You come up with some truly unique opportunities to talk to people. It's as if you
are a part of God's plan to spread his word. Each of the cyclists has a unique story to
tell about their trip."
A total of 27 cyclists were on the leg of the trip as it passed through
Celina, Bowman said. As many as 45 cyclists have traveled at least part way with the
group, including 17 who are traveling the whole way from Seattle to Yorktown Beach, a
little over 4,000 miles. They cover about 65 miles a day. Group members usually stay in
local churches each night. They were headed for Eaton on Friday night.
According to the most-recent information available about the tour,
during the group's first 560 miles traveled they had made 124 witnessing opportunities,
helped save 19 people, had 14 flat tires and found change along the road totaling $8.41.
One cyclist had been stung by bees four times so far.
"The people travel for as long as their schedule will allow,"
Bowman said. "We have some that are stopping in Eaton, and five more are joining
up."
For more information about the Wheel Power Christian Cyclists, look on
the Internet at www.wheelpower.org. |
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