Forty cyclists rode through Brownwood on Wednesday, May 7, for the Fifth Annual Bike Out Hunger, raising money and awareness for hunger needs through the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering.
This year’s route reaches across more than 400 miles from Boerne to Wichita Falls. The team arrived in Brownwood on Wednesday afternoon.
Local riders include Pastor Rodney McGlothlin, Debbie McGlothlin, Jeremy Johnson and Greg Church. Church stated that this was the longest ride he had ever participated in and although it was challenging, it was very enjoyable.
“It was fun, really tough in a couple of spots. Goldthwaite to Zephyr seemed like nothing but one big hill after another,” explained Church. “ It was a challenging ride as it was the longest one I’ve ever done. The landscape was beautiful!”
On Wednesday, the riders had traveled from San Saba to Brownwood, just over 61 miles. Upon their arrival, they gathered outside their hotel before enjoying a local massage.
The riders & their support team joined FBC Brownwood for a hamburger cookout Wednesday evening, followed by an opportunity to speak to the church about their efforts to raise awareness & funds to fight hunger in Texas & around the world. Many children asked questions about the bikes & equipment. In response to one question, it was reported that the group hoped to raise $50,000 to fight hunger through this Bike Out Hunger trip.
Thursday, Pastor McGlothlin & Church continued with the group riding to Abilene. The team left from the hotel at 8:40 a.m. & travelled down Fisk to Austin Avenue. Their route will travel through Cross Plains on their way to Abilene.
The team consisted of a variety of professionals, including a retired chemical engineer turned part time bike mechanic for the team, pastors, a building supervisor of a church, a family physician, a dentist, and a chaplain to name a few.
Blake Vincent of Athens stated that this was his first long distance ride and first time to join the Bike Out Hunger effort. He explained that this was not just Baptists riding, but several denominations were represented.
“It’s for a good cause, there are other good causes that I support, but this one is good, all the money from this goes directly to the cause (hunger relief),” explained Vincent.
John Dennie, adult education and local missions pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Weatherford stated that Bike Out Hunger and other rides he is involved with help to aid many people statewide who face food insecurity. He explained some staggering statistics.
“Last year it was reported that Texas had the largest gross domestic product (GDP) in the nation, Texas was #17 in the nation regarding its 5.6% unemployment rate compared to the national 6.3% unemployment rate. So we are doing pretty good,” said Dennie. “Yet we are #3 in the nation related to food insecurity. 35% of all single mothers face food insecurity, often skipping meals just so their children can have something to eat.”
Dennie further explained how the Bike Out Hunger is for awareness of this problem and the bikers experience pain of the long rides endured for the cause, “For us to go through this kind of pain is small to relieve what they are going through.”
Bike Out Hunger held its first event in April 2010 with a six-day, 425-mile ride in Texas and welcomed 45 riders. Since then, requests for other and more frequent events has been astounding, so we expanded into single-day rides, runs and even triathlons. Money raised through the ride is donated to the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering, which last year totaled approximately $950,000. This offering impacted more than 180 ministries around the world according to Kalie Lowrie, Baptist General Convention of Texas News Media Manager.
The goal of the Hunger Offering is to bring an end to the cycle of hunger and poverty experienced by millions worldwide. One hundred percent of the money raised through this offering goes directly to support ministry partners. For more information or to join in the effort and make a donation, click here.
Pictured at top are Bike Out Hunger riders as they left Brownwood Thursday morning, crossing Hwy 67/84 on Austin Avenue (photo by Joe Franklin). Below are more photos of the ride and riders during the event.
Jeremy Johnson as he made Wednesday’s ride from San Saba to Brownwood. Johnson is a graduate of Howard Payne University and is the Student Ministry Associate at FBC Brownwood. (Photo by J. Franklin)
Greg Church leading Rodney McGlothlin up a climb between Mullin and Zephyr. (Photo by J. Franklin)
Pictured above are riders John Dennie, Mark Bolt, Blake Vincent, and Bob Simonette as they gathered outside their hotel Wednesday afternoon.
Making a few repairs after Wednesday’s more than 60 mile journey.
Bikers and support staff with FBC Brownwood at the dinner held in their honor Wednesday night. (Photo by J. Franklin)
Pastor McGlothlin and Church leavning the hotel Wednesday morning. (Photo by J. Franklin)
