“To the ends of the earth…” Reading this phrase, we typically imagine faraway lands, exotic people and mysterious customs as we go out proclaiming the gospel. For five days, youthHOPE, a ministry committed to transforming the lives of global youth, gives ‘to the ends of the earth’ new meaning. Faraway lands… Key West, Florida. Exotic people… youth leaders. Mysterious customs… a bike ride—to take the gospel to Velingrad, Bulgaria.
In an effort to raise awareness of the ministry of Gabe and Melissa Hillman, serving their second term with youth in Velingrad, Bulgaria, and to equip them to reach the 1,700 high school students in Velingrad with the Gospel, youthHOPE has developed the ‘To the Ends of the Earth’ Key West Bike ride (KWB). To the Ends of the Earth is a group of 12 youth workers riding from Ft. Myers (leaving from NMSI’s Center for Global Outreach) to the end of FL (Key West) .
From Saturday, February 4 to Thursday, February 9, twelve riders will bike 50-70 miles per day, for a total of 300 miles. For each mile, the bikers are raising funds to purchase the sports equipment needed to reach the youth in Velingrad through a sports ministry developed by the Hillmans. The ride is the vision of Aaron Arnold, youthHOPE’s executive director and came to life three months ago as Justin Hanneken, Director of Outreach for YouthHOPE, began gathering participants and developing the ride. Four youth pastors from churches in Lee County have signed up to ride with Aaron and Justin, along with NMSI missionary Adam Hunt and youthHOPE apprentices Britney Sue Zeller and Katie DeBusk.
YouthHOPE’s purpose is to equip the Church to meet the holistic needs of global youth and this ride is doing exactly that. It’s also bringing together youth pastors from different denominations to spend a week together in hopes that collaboration, friendships and fellowship will emerge. Many of the riders have never completed a long distance ride before, yet have been in training for this opportunity to support the ministry in Bulgaria. For more information on the cause and to watch the promo video, visit: http://www.youthhope.com/get-involved/endsoftheearth
Join us to ‘the Ends of the Earth’
To sponsor one of the riders, click here and insert the name of the rider you would like to donate to. The funds you donate will make the Gospel more available to the youth of Velingrad.
You can also “like” the KW Bike Ride on facebook.
