Adventists Ride 380 KM to Promote Wellness and Service in Northern Colombia

The tour brought together cyclists, families, and pastors for health-focused outreach along coastal communities.

August 21, 2025 | Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia | Cristin Serrano, UCN Journalism and IAD News Staff

Seventy cyclists sped across Colombia’s northern coast from Aug. 14-17, 2025, turning a 380-kilometer ride into a moving testimony of health, faith, and service. The Gran Fondo Ruta al Mar – I Want to Live Healthy tour, organized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, marked its sixth edition by bringing together recreational athletes, families, and pastors for four days of cycling from Valledupar to Barranquilla.

Just days earlier, from August 7–10, cyclists in the South Colombia Union also rode more than 300 kilometers through the mountainous region, underscoring how the church across the country is using cycling as a platform for health and mission.

Cycling as Mission

“This route was not only a physical challenge, but also a mission tool,” said Pastor Javier Miranda, health ministries director for the Atlantic Colombian Conference and event coordinator. “Our goal is to show that health is God’s gift, and that the gospel is lived in a holistic way—body, mind, and spirit.”

Participants represented a wide range of regions across Colombia—including Arauca, Medellín, Cali, Bucaramanga, Cartagena, Barranquilla, and more—along with one international rider from Puerto Rico. Together, they covered the four stages: Valledupar–Bosconia (92 km), Bosconia–Fundación (69 km), Fundación–Santa Marta (94 km), and Santa Marta–Barranquilla (114 km).

Testimonies that Inspire

Among the riders were recreational athletes, families, and church leaders.

Former World Tour professional cyclist Winner Anacona joined the cycling event, marking his second participation in the Adventist-organized tours.

Arbey Fernández, from Medellín, highlighted the fellowship: “Every time the Church organizes, the logistics improve, but what makes it special is sharing with brothers and sisters and discovering new cultures,” he said. “This time was even more meaningful because my wife rode with me.”

For Ilba Rosa Sanguino, from Arauca, called the event a blessing for her life. “Here I nurture my body, my spirit, and my soul.” The church’s health message should go further, she remarked. “God gave us a perfect machine at birth, but our bad habits damage it. These activities teach us to take care of what God entrusted us.”

Carlos Maxwell Hernández, from Codazzi, testified how cycling transformed his life. “I once weighed nearly 110 kilos; now I’m 75 and no longer suffer from hypertension. These events show that the church is not overly strict, but promotes health and testifies it through this sport.”

For Carlos Martínez, an Adventist pastor who traveled from Puerto Rico, added: “We’ve been doing a similar ride for 18 years back home. Seeing other countries embrace this initiative is spectacular,” he said. “Sports are a powerful tool to bring people closer to the gospel.”

Safety and Community Impact

And while the ride carried deep spiritual meaning, organizers also made sure it was carried out with professionalism and care. Safety was managed by Rescate Garsa, an Adventist rescue and emergency response group, with support vehicles, six motorcycles, medical staff, and ambulance vehicle.

“We wanted participants to feel safe and cared for, even providing hydration and hot gels for muscle recovery at each stop,” explained safety coordinator Jair Flórez.

Church members in every town lined the route with food, water, and encouragement. “For our church this event is a celebration,” said Pastor Josué Torres, president of the Atlantic Coast Conference. “Members were happy to serve and share, while we also impacted communities with food distributions and messages of hope.”

Integral Evangelism

The cycling event featured the distribution of over 250 food packages and hygiene kits to families in Valledupar and Bosconia, alongside health talks and community service.

“Every pedal stroke is a testimony that Christ desires good health for His people,” said Pastor Mauricio Buitrago, health ministries director for the North Colombian Union. “These activities meet community needs, build trust, and open doors to Jesus.”

For this tour, 25 of the 70 cyclists were not Adventists, including Winner Anacona, who expressed feeling “part of the Adventist family” and pledged ongoing support for the project, organizers said.

A Message that Moves Forward

The event was backed by the North Colombian Union, IADPA, Hope Media Colombia, AWR Colombia, ADRA Colombia, and Rescate Garsa, along with local businesses.

Pastor Jonathan Pérez of IADPA underscored its spiritual value: “A healthy body leads to a healthy mind that makes the best decisions—including the most important one, to follow God. That’s why we’ll continue supporting these initiatives that make the Church relevant in society.”

The ride culminated in Barranquilla with gratitude, joy, and renewed consecration, inspiring both youth and adults to keep promoting faith through a healthy lifestyle, Buitrago said.

That message continued even after the finish line. Days later, a local television station on Colombia’s Atlantic coast featured church leaders in a special segment, highlighting the mission behind the cycling event, its community impact, and the I Want to Live Healthy initiative–which. The program emphasized the initiative’s eight simple habits for a balanced life: regular exercise, adequate water, proper rest, healthy eating, exposure to sunlight, temperance, fresh air, and hope in God.