06/03/2025
On Friday, May 29, at 5:45 am three bicyclists and their van driver arrived at Elmshaven to begin a 2,400 mile journey that would take them to the General Conference Session in St Louis, Missouri. This was not a trip to say “look what we can do”, but a trip to show what God will do when we are willing to take an interest in people who we meet and share God’s amazing love with them. After a Zoom call with Elder Ted Wilson, who gave them some words of encouragement and prayed for them, they set off for San Francisco where they would continue this amazing journey to the General Conference Session with plans to be there by July 2, 2025
The leader of this group, Anthony Kent, is the great-great grandson of a man from Australia by the name of Tom Kent. It was 1888 and Tom Kent’s wife, Mary had just lost her battle with pneumonia. Tom was in despair while struggling to take care of their 11 children. Just before she died, Mary had asked Tom to promise that he would meet her in heaven—and bring the children with him. Tom promised Mary he would. Now, with tears in his eyes, he looked for a Bible to see how he could keep his promise. That’s when a man by the name of Philip Reekie met Tom.
Philip Ainslee Reekie had given his heart to Christ when he found some Christian literature and discovered the amazing truths of the Bible. Philip now wanted to spread hope. On dusty outback roads, through dry mountainous terrain, and under a merciless hot Australian sun, Philip rode a bicycle numerous miles, distributing hope-filled Christian literature. One day Philip saw a farmer ploughing a field, a man strong in physique but broken in spirit. It was Tom Kent. Philip listened to Tom’s story of heartbreak, saw his condition of pain and heard of Mary’s dying hope. Philip shared with Tom the Christian book The Great Controversy. Tom wrestled with the biblical truths he saw, but after careful study, he accepted the biblical teachings. His new discoveries from the Bible gave Tom the deep comfort that he wanted. He shared his discoveries with his children and neighbors. His children and five neighboring families became believers and disciples of Jesus. It was then that Tom knew he could keep his promise to his wife.
Fast-forward from 1896 to the present day, and this remarkable story continues. When you add the descendants of Tom and the other five families to the numbers of people these descendants have discipled into Christianity—there are more than 20,000! That’s 20,000 lives transformed by a faithful guy on a bicycle and a farmer who shared a good book with his family and neighbors.
Following the inspiring example of Philip Reekie, Anthony Kent and two other international cyclists are riding their bikes from San Francisco, California, to St. Louis, Missouri, totaling more than 2,400 miles, in recognition of the more than 20,000 lives transformed by this amazing guy on a bicycle. They will be joined by two more cyclists in Denver Colorado. Along the way they will share inspiring, life-changing Chirstian literature—including that same book shared by Philip with Tom Kent, The Great Controversy.
Please pray for their safety and for all the people they will meet on this journey, that their hearts will be open to the gospel and God’s wonderful love for them.
