Covenant News

Bikes for Congo Effort Exceeds Goal by $5,000

NEW BRIGHTON, MN (February 16, 2005) - It began as an informal comment on a runway in Africa in 1994. Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) pastor Don and Martha Johnson were just about to leave Congo (then Zaire) after speaking at the annual Missionary Conference in Karawa.

Congo Covenant Church (CEUM) President Luyada expressed a wish for his Responsible Pastors (similar to ECC conference superintendents) to have bicycles so they would not have to walk to all the churches they oversee. That request struck Don and Martha as very reasonable and very do-able. Upon returning to Minnesota, Don shared the vision for "Bikes for Zaire" with the church and immediately a long-standing small group Bible study, made up of current and retired engineers, volunteered for the task.

Over the next year, they researched the best bikes to buy, shipping systems and how best to promote the cause throughout the Northwest Conference and beyond. The response was overwhelming. They helped raise enough money to fill a 20-foot shipping container with 150 bikes and parts. Gifts came from Sunday school classes, individuals, churches and businesses. The bikes were shipped, delivered, assembled and distributed around Congo.

Then came six years of civil war, the missionary evacuation, chaos, marauding bands of soldiers and rebels. Families lost everything and were forced to live in the jungle. Of course, the bikes were stolen as well.

Fast forward to the 2003 Covenant Annual Meeting in Chicago. Outgoing CEUM President Luyada, Congo country coordinator Keith Gustafson and Don Johnson were having lunch at a fast food restaurant. President Luyada gingerly asked: "Would Salem Covenant Church be interested in resupplying bicycles for Congo?" There was only one answer: "Of course."

This time, the process would be different. The goal was set at $25,000. Bikes would be purchased in Kinshasa in order to stimulate the local economy and have quick access to replacement parts and supplies – also eliminating costly shipping expenses. Based on faith in a promise and the pressing need, the CEUM authorized a loan for the bikes and they were purchased before the dollars were raised.

True to the Covenant's passion for mission, the money started to roll in – and in very creative ways. Youth pastor Paul Langmade from International Falls, Minnesota, organized a bike ride for individuals representing several states, traveling from northern Minnesota to the state capital and raising about $10,000. Individuals, churches, Sunday school classes and businesses from all over the country participated in the bicycle re-supply effort. The goal of $25,000 was reached in December – and funds raised since December have exceeded the original goal by $5,000. Byron Amundsen of the Department of World Mission assures churches that all money received for the "Bikes for Congo II" project will be used to purchase additional parts - and additional bikes.

"On behalf of more than 100 Congo Covenant pastors and leaders who are now riding bikes from church to church instead of walking, thank you Covenant," says one project leader. "Well done, good and faithful servants!"

Printable version of this page.