Children's Pastors Endure Xtreme Ride for Children in Lome
Five
children's pastors met on the Tennessee/Alabama border on Sunday, March 29,
headed to Gulf Shores, Alabama, by bike-400 miles long-to raise funds for BGMC.
David Wimpee, the children's pastor at Life Church of the Assemblies of God in Rainbow City, Alabama, wanted to raise big bucks for BGMC using a unique approach, so he created a fun and exciting group fund-raising event called "Xtreme BGMC." One of the extreme events he and other children's pastors have done over the past few years for BGMC was skydiving and spelunking. This year David is heading up a cross-state "Xtreme BGMC" bike trek for missions.
David had learned that a children's ministry in Lome, Togo, needed a school and chapel, so he began working with missionaries to raise the needed funds. David and the other participants began months ago generating pledges for their trip.
"The children's ministry in Lome has 400 kids who are in desperate need of a school and chapel," says David. "So we're biking across the state of Georgia to help make that happen."
The team began Sunday afternoon in Ardmore, Tennessee, headed to Gulf Shores, Alabama. David, the oldest of the crew, admited on the final day of being "Xtremely" tired.
"Safety has been a big priority for us," mentions David, "We have a support van following us all the way." In a joking manner David said, "This morning I feel like riding the van."
One of the team members, Ebony Sanford, was once in tears because of the extreme fatigue, David said, but she was determined to finish the race. The other participants joining David are Mike Bowman, Brandon Doss and Wes Blair.
David says that Tuesday the crew had endured rain, opposing winds, and four flat tires. "We went through the roughest part of the Georgia hills so far," says David. "The remainder of the tour should be flatter terrain."
Why the "Xteme BGMC"? David says, "I was looking for something to get more people involved and an alternative way to raise funds for BGMC. I had done the national BGMC event ‘Up in the Air for Kids' for several years. But I got to thinking, there's got to be another way that's fun, impactful, and that would get several others involved. So I put together a five-day outdoor approach full of extreme sports and invited other children's pastors to participate."
Wimpee says his first "Xtreme BGMC" included two other children's pastors and one senior pastor with about $10,000 raised in all.
Team Biking Too Fast!
Alabama hills and flats are no fun, but raising $ for BGMC is.
David Wimpee, team leader and ideas man behind Xtreme BGMC
The team spotted a funnel cloud about 50 miles away on Thursday, April 2.
"What's Up!" or "Bug in mouth!"???
-
Missionaries from South Africa Say "Thanks!"
The Kings receive new photocopier, thanks to BGMC.
-
Missionaries to Philippines Thank BGMC for Giving
Darrel and Sandy Blatchley, missionaries to the Philippines, say thanks to BGMC.
-
Africa's Oasis Project Strikes Water in Zimbabwe
Missionaries Glenda and Steve Evans share how fresh water is now available for Garanyemba, Zimbabwe.
-
Missionaries Offer Clean Water and Buddy Buckets to Africans
Missionary Glenda Evans shares about Buddy Buckets and a well for Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
-
Missionary-Led Church in Paraguay Reaches Needy Kids
Foreign missionary Cynthia Lucas serves the Message of Hope and hot drinks to kids in need.
-
BGMC Helps IMM with New Testament Video Survey
BGMC provides funds to Assemblies of God World Ministries around the world. Here's one example of how your BGMC donations are being used.
-
World Missionaries Target Drug-Dependent Students
Missionaries work together to battle substance abuse among children overseas.
-
Africa Cries for Clean Water
Africa Oasis Project, an arm of the Assemblies of God World Missions, is placing wells across Africa, so people can come for running water and for Living Water at nearby A/G churches.
