Adventist Church organizes first cycling event in North Colombia

Hundreds of cyclists take part in the Adventist Church’s special event in Cucuta, Norte Santander, in Colombia to promote health and hope in the city, on Apr. 17, 2016. Image by Alessandro Simoes/Shirley Rueda

May 2, 2016 | Cúcuta, Norte Santander, Colombia | Shirley Rueda/IAD Staff

Pastor Joel Jaimes, president of the church’s northeast conference, speaks to the 300 cyclists on how they can live healthy and find peace in “The Road to Peace” book handed out. Image by Alessandro Simoes/Shirley Rueda

Hundreds of cyclists pedaled through the city of Cúcuta in Norte Santander, Colombia, last month, during a special sports event organized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in coordination with the local governor’s office.

The event brought the Governor of Norte Santander William Villamizar, his wife and 40 of his officials as well as nearly 300 cyclists and church members, who rode early in the morning for 20 kilometers through the city.

As cyclists finish the course, they were welcomed by friendly faces, a healthy breakfast spread, massage stations and a short ceremony at the church’s Adventist Recreational campground in Cúcuta.

Governor Villamizar thanked the Seventh-day Adventist Church for organizing and hosting the event. “We think that these are good opportunities to promote healthy habits through sports activities,” said Villamizar.

Highlighting freedom of worship, the governor also invited all churches “to move forward with social programs such as the ones led by the Adventist Church so that we can all become a greater team for the development of Norte de Santander,” said Villamizar.

Pastor Joel Jaimes, president of the church in the Northeast Conference, said the event was part of a series of activities under the North Colombia Union’s “Friends of Hope” initiative to reach cities and communities.

Cyclists get a massage after their 20 km trip from the city to the Adventist Recreational Campground in Cúcuta, Colombia. Image by Alessandro Simoes/Shirley Rueda

“Through this Friends of Hope initiative, we have been able to reach the authorities, private sector, the community and now this specific group of cyclists,” said Pastor Jaimes.

“We simply organized the activity and the governor’s office contacted the leaders of those cyclists,” added Jaimes.

Church members gave out “The Road to Peace” (Camino a la Paz) by Ellen G. White, which has the original title as “Steps to Christ”, to the cyclists and government leaders.

The church has worked with the city and governor’s office before on activities such as a city-wide health and hope impact event, a parade depicting the six literal days of creation and the Sabbath rest, and many others.

The church began to plan the cycling event and agreed to host the event for 300 of the 1,200 registered cyclists in the city for logistic purposes, said Jaimes. “We had many of our church members cycling during the event and more than one hundred helping with the logistics, breakfast and event,” he explained.

Cyclists are provided with a healthy breakfast by church members. Image by Alessandro Simoes/Shirley Rueda

For Raul Saavedra, a professional cyclist, cycling contributes to better health. Saavedra thanked the church for promoting exercise to its members. “I’m excited to see how the Adventist Church is supporting the sport,” said Saavedra. “This is the first church that takes us into account.”

“Everything has been so special, from the support of our friends to get here, the friendliness and the food,” said Cyclist Rubiela Amaya as she prepared to get a massage. “I hope this activity takes place every weekend.”

Neftali Solano of the Fuerte Pregon Adventist Church said the objective of the event was more than just cycling through the city, it was about showing that there is a hope. “We want them to know that Adventists are not only in the church but we also take part in contributing to good health,” Solano said.

Earlier this year, dozens of ready-to-plant trees were distributed in the city and just last month the governor’s office asked the Adventist Church to lead a spiritual segment during an activity with more than 1,200 children.