Deidra Bowling-Meade
The Ashland Beacon
“Everything is possible for one who believes,” Mark 9:23.
Three local gentlemen from Grassland Community Church believed they could make a difference through using their passion of bicycling. To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Home, Tim Burton, Ben Mollett and Darrell Stewart bicycled 150 miles from Rush, Kentucky to Nicholasville, Kentucky at the end of August to raise awareness and funds for the children’s home. The route was through the Red River Gorge and across the Valley View Ferry on the KY River.
Pastor Kyle Vanover from Grassland Community Church shared that his church regularly donates to the Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Home by taking up an offering every month with five Sundays; however, some of the men of the church wanted to do more. Vanover said, “I was glad when Tim said he wanted to do something special to celebrate their 150th anniversary. When Tim said he wanted to do a bike ride, I was sure he meant motorcycles - to ride bicycles that far is a real feat! I am so proud of all three riders. I was thrilled that this was their idea, that they could use something they love in order to do ministry in their own way, and my job was just to get out of the way and cheer them on!”
The challenge was called Ride 150. The mission for the ride was based on the scripture Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Part of our calling while we are here on this earth, is to be Jesus’ hands and feet. When people are hungry, feed them. When people are thirsty, give them something to drink. Ultimately, when you see a need, meet the need.
According to Burton, the Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Home is a ministry that has been helping children since the Civil War. He wanted to shed light on their mission by using his gifts and abilities for the Lord. Burton shared, “The experience helped remind me that a lot can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit. People want to help and do something to make a difference in the world today. They just want it to be real. Something they can relate to, like how hard it would be to ride your bike to Lexington. Not by athletes, but three old dudes who need something to give in response to what God has given them.”
Pastor Vanover confirms, “Not everyone can ride a bicycle 150 miles, but everyone can do something. Many people gave monetarily to support the Homes, some drove along as a support team, and of course, we all joined in praying for their trip and for the children who would receive the benefit. It’s a joy when everybody does the part that God enables them to do.” Burton, Mollett and Stewart set out with a goal to raise $1,500, and to date, they have raised over $5,000 for the Children’s Homes. Nothing is impossible when God is leading!
The Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Home provides physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of children and families. They believe that every person is an individual of worth entitled to God's gift of wholeness of life. Visit the Kentucky United Methodist Children’s Home website to learn more and give a gift in support: https://www.kyumh.com/.../grassland-umc-cycling-fundraiser