At the end of January, 17 riders from most Australian States, The United States, and Vietnam, will commence a 1000km journey to Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia. Riding in two separate groups, the first will depart 30th January from Melbourne heading North. The second group will depart Brisbane on 31st January, heading South. They will arrive together at Avondale University on Tuesday afternoon, 6th February.

The I Will Go Ride has a focus on Pastoral well-being and personal Faith Sharing, combined into an endurance cycling adventure. It also aims to encourage Adventists everywhere to be people of Hope – who say “I Will Go! – I will respond to the call to take personal ownership for mission, and share the love and message of Jesus with the people around me.”

The ride is inspired by the work of Phillip and Frederick Reekie. Both were Adventist book-sellers, who rode bicycles thousands of kilometers through remote parts of Australia during the 1890s selling Christian literature. In the remote New South Wales town of Eugowra, Phillip met Tom Kent, who had just lost his wife, and was left with the care of their eleven children. Tom purchased the book ‘The Great Controversy’, and his life was transformed. Two of Tom’s great grandchildren will participate in the Australian rides too – Anthony Kent in the Melbourne ride, and Rob Hansford in the Brisbane ride.

Along the way, riders will stop and talk with people along the route, sharing a message of Hope. Each day has on average 150km+ of cycling, which requires them to keep an eye on time, weather and energy levels. On a number of days, following long days in the saddle, the teams will also stop in to share stories and a message of Hope at evening meetings at various churches along the routes.

It is important to note that this event is a private event and not an official church event, and as such, riders have covered their own costs, taking annual leave to participate in the mission.

Each ride is supported by a driver/ vehicle at the rear of the group. We continue to seek partners to fund the literature that will be given out to people that we meet along the way. We will be sharing The Great Hope (shorter Great Controversy version) which includes a QR code card for audio version and a Health book and a Glow tract.

To find out more, contact Michael Worker at the Australian Union Office of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The Rides

The Australian Rides Brisbane-Cooranbong Entire Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41871477 (1,049km, & 10,541m elevation) Day by Day Breakdown: Tuesday 30 Jan Ride Day 1: Brisbane to Brunswick Heads Wednesday 31 Jan Ride Day 2: Brunswick Heads to Yamba (Evening meeting with Maclean Church) Thursday 1 Feb Ride Day 3: Yamba to Sawtell Friday 2 Feb Ride Day 4:…

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The Riders

AUS - Brisbane to Cooranbong, 950km Brett Townend (Leader) Brett Townend Church: My wife Rae and I visit churches across South East Qld as part of my leadership role Ministry Passion: Shaping anything and everything we do to see people meet Jesus Favourite leisure time apart from cycling: horses! (Brett is a genuine horse whisperer!)…

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Social Media

Follow the daily journey of the riders and send messages of support on instagram or facebook in the lead up to and during the ride. Instagram (where we post) Go to https://www.instagram.com/iwillgoride or go to https://www.instagram.com and search for @iwillgoride Facebook (updates also appear here) Go to https://www.facebook.com/IWillGoRide or go to https://www.facebook.com and search for…

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Ride Partners

Our riders are traveling across America, providing for their accommodation, jerseys, bibs and food at their own expense. Each has taken leave to on their own time and at significant personal risk. Various ministries within the church have provided marketing opportunities and awareness around the cause, for which we are truly thankful. We are deeply…

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YOUR SUPPORT

Our riders and sponsors have covered the costs associated with the ride itself, so that you can sponsor books, or 10K toes, for maximum impact. Please support us by donating either the 10,000 toes campaign to change lives across the Pacific, or provide hope-filled literature for sharing with people far from God.. South Pacific nations…

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