 The ground that won my heart and set the trajectory of my life. | The Beginning I still remember the first time I stepped onto the soil of a foreign land. The flurry of people going about their business in shops that looked more like stalls than stores, the air that smelled of body odor and onions, and the unfamiliar language being yelled at me by... ~ Christal Haner
Global Youth Ministry Liaison | On June 2-8, I [Derek R.] was honored to ride 322 miles (with 10,800 feet of elevation) in the RAGBRAI pre-ride. As one of the forty-two cyclists, whose job it was to inspect the route of the world's oldest, longest and largest bicycling event, we got to sample food provided by each town’s RAGBRAI committee (obviously this was the worst part) and meet with cyclists from around different parts of the country. I was blown away by the caliber of safety that RAGBRAI provides and the sense of community was amazing. I had the privilege of meeting and cycling with Mark Wyatt who is the head of the Iowa Bike Coalition whose main job is to keep people safe throughout Iowa. |  We rolled into the Iowa State University Sports Complex, where the football stadium is located. ~ Derek Ried | Without giving away too many secrets, one of my favorite memories was coming into Ames, IA. We were told prior to getting there that we needed to be in by 3:30pm. This was unsual because the route each day usually took us until about 5pm. We rolled into the Iowa State University Sports Complex, where the football stadium is located. We were motioned over to where the players take the field. I’ll let the picture tell the rest of the story... Since it’s inception forty-six years ago, RAGBRAI has helped start many different rides throughout the United States and the world. We feel so honored to be joining such a prestigious organization and joining 20,000+ cyclists and sharing the love of Christ with them. This year we were blessed by the directors to be able to be featured on their website advertising as “Family-friendly Worship Nights!” I look forward to serving as the Ends Cycling Iowa Bike Ride Director at RAGBRAI as we raise money for the Youth of Mexico! Be sure to follow our Facebook and Instagram feeds as we will be bringing all sorts of fun in just a few short weeks! #IABR2018 ** Grace and peace, ~ Derek Ried
Mobilization & Networking |  Seeing Toccoa Falls was one of the highlights of our scouting trip to see BRAG2018 in action! | Learning From Others June 8-9, Paul M, Rick B, Jon W and myself headed up to the Bike Ride Across Georgia 2018 for days 6 & 7 of their week-long tour. Each year, the BRAG ride draws upwards of 700-1000 cyclists each day. We have heard from many friends about this event and needed to see it for ourselves. Our purpose for going up was two-fold - first, we wanted to hear from God on whether we are supposed to bring a group to do BRAG in 2019. Second, we wanted to learn about how they do things and see if we could add value to their tour in the future. From the moment we arrived in Clarkesville, GA and checked in, we were welcomed with open arms. The gal that checked us in proclaimed, "Oh, Ends Cycling, I have heard of you guys. I follow you on Instagram!" How cool! Riding from Clarkesville to Toccoa on Friday was an absolute dream. The police presence on the route was excellent. We learned a lot about their rest stop procedures, merch, and more. It was really cool to meet riders from all over the world as well. If you ever find yourself near Toccoa, you have to visit Toccoa Falls - a 186-foot, free-falling waterfall on the campus of Toccoa Falls College, a Christian university. On Saturday, June 9th, the 3 of us pedaled from Toccoa, GA to Hartwell, GA and were greeted by one of the best finish-lines we have ever seen! We appreciate your prayers as we continue to seek the LORD and try to discern His will for our involvement in next year's BRAG. We'll let you know soon! ~ Justin Hanneken
Excecutive Director |  Canoe Trip at Lake Aurora Christian Camp. | Ends Cycling was the featured ministry! Lake Aurora Christian Camp has been hosting Christ-centered youth camps and retreats since 1947. I [Matt] grew up attending Lake Aurora Camp since I was in Middle School. I distinctly recall making a choice for Christ at this camp in my youth. I was at an evening campfire and the group was asked if we wanted to stop being "Sunday Christians" and have a real, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I remember writing my name on a piece of paper and crying, as I took a hammer and nail and nailed that piece of paper to a wooden cross. That was when I really began my faith journey, when I picked up my own Cross and started "walking" with Jesus. Fast-forward 20 years to the present... I had the opportunity to minister to 20 Middle/High School students from Georgia and Florida in a weeks worth of FUN at this same camp as a Camp Counselor this June! We played games, swam, took canoe trips (pictured) as well as learned leadership skills, team building exercises and practical ways to get involved in missions. Ends of the Earth Cycling was the Missions Spotlight at this week of camp! Tim McDaniel (spotlighted below) as well as many other local pastors joined this week of FUN! ( Did I mention fun in there somewhere? ) ~ Matt Miller
Communications and Projects Manager |  Bike Morehead Outreach Event in Morehead, KY | Outreach Event Bike Morehead, in Morehead, KY is a one-day bike ride that is part of the Century Series, presented by Bluegrass Cycling Club. Established in 2015, this year's ride took place on Saturday, June 16th. Morehead First Church of God hosted a wonderful rest stop on behalf of Jesus and Ends of the Earth Cycling. We are so thankful for all of those who help tell our story and encourage other cyclists to #PrayPedalRepeat ~ Jeremy Halstead
Local Church Pastor |  Joining 37 other cyclists, Justin and the group raised over $100,000 to help end human trafficking. | Special Event Seven years ago, 4 friends from Iowa decided to ride their bicycles from Des Moines to Lake Okiboji - 200 miles in one day. In that moment, Break The Cycle 200 was born. That same year, around the same time, 12 cyclists (myself included) decided to ride 300 miles from Ft. Myers to Key West, and in that moment, Ends of the Earth Cycling was born. How great is our GOD?! The story continues. In 2013, IA & FL resident, Jim Wilson heard about Ends Cycling's Key West ride and invited his Iowa-neighbor, Adam Nelson to come on the tour. Both had a blast, brought a few other friends with them and a friendship was formed. Adam Nelson, pictured with me above, has been a supporter of Ends Cycling ever since. He and his family recently moved from IA to SD, but this hasn't stopped him from inviting me (Justin) to come up to Iowa for the Break The Cycle 200 ride. This 1-day bike ride was going into it's 7th year and I knew this was the time to go. God opened so many doors and gave so many confirmations. I set a goal to personally try and raise $500 to help end human trafficking, but God provided over $1000 in donations toward my ride from amazing, generous friends (you know who you are!). I know some of you reading this are saying, "Did you REALLY ride 200 miles in one day?" The honest answer is - YES, and so did 3-dozen other people. And we did it TOGETHER. It took 11hr 48min on the bicycle, but every pedal-stroke was worth it - especially at mile 180 where we met some of the girls in Iowa who had been rescued from human trafficking. It was a special moment to bless them and encourage them, as they did the same for us. To God be the Glory! ~ Justin Hanneken
Executive Director |  Tim McDaniel, Ends Cycling Honorary Crew Member | Tim McDaniel Tim wears many hats when it comes to serving with Ends of the Earth Cycling and is one of our Honorary Crew Members. Tim is co-pastor at Community 242 and seeks to support Ends Cycling in any and all shapes. His biggest hat [gift] is daily prayer for the people who serve on Ends Cycling tours as well as verbally talking about it to anyone around him. He has also recently ridden multiple century rides in 2018! His favorite book is The Gospel According To Job and his life verse is Philippians 3:13-14. |  Kidman Science | Kidmin Science After serving as a children's pastor for over 10 years, Josh Denhart transitioned all his vocational energies toward Kidmin Science. Josh is a seasoned educator with a BA in Chemistry Education, a MA in Effective Instruction, and earned National Board Certification in Young Adult and Adolescent Science. As a former High School chemistry teacher, Josh melded his love for Science and Christ, creating “The Amazing Chemistry Show”, a traveling gospel-centered stage show with fire, explosions and foam. Carrying this Ministry of Chemistry even further, Josh created three “Science VBS” curriculums. Check out Kidmin Science and consider having Josh come and do a presentation at your local church - you won't regret it! |  Cool Science + Made Simple = Reach People | | Thank you to all of our 2018 Partners! We want to sincerely thank our 2018 Partners. Because of them, we are better equipped to reach and provide resources to global youth through all of our 2018 bicycling tours! Thinking about partnering with us? | |
