The Last Frontier
- Ends of the Earth Cycling
- Oct 12, 2022
- 4 min read
Written By: Justin Hanneken, Executive Director
Ends of the Earth Cycling's 46th cycling tour started at ChangePoint Church in Anchorage, AK,
a life-giving church that hosted us for several days.
In the Summer of 2013, I traveled to Bulgaria and Zambia to visit with two ministries we had ridden for. It was during those trips, specifically my time in Bulgaria, that God spoke: "50 states, $1 million for global youth ministries." At that point, we had only done two Key West Bike Rides and both of them were, you guessed it, in Florida.
From that point forward, we began to expand to other states. Our first endeavor outside of Florida was our Ohio ride in Fall 2014. From there, we went on to Maryland, Kentucky, and so many other locations. By May of 2021, we had hosted Ends Cycling tours in upwards of 30 states. It was in that same month that our friends from church, Nelson & Rosanna Hess, asked to meet with our family. We didn't know why they wanted to meet with us, but we enjoyed a picnic together at Christ Community Church.
During that meeting, Rosanna spent about 45 minutes asking questions about our family & ministry with Ends of the Earth Cycling. As she interviewed us, she feverishly took notes on the testimonies we shared. Eventually she said, "I guess you are wondering why we asked to meet with your family today." I agreed. Rosanna said, "Nelson and I want to invite you and Karena to join us in Alaska." We picked our jaws up off the floor, and managed, "Thank you...but why?" Rosanna replied, "You told us that God wanted you to host Ends Cycling tours in all 50 states. We have an idea of how you can do Alaska."
At that point, we knew they were serious. But this scouting trip... How and when could we possibly pull it off? Nelson and Rosanna suggested July 1-8, 2021. Wait... two months from now? We laughed, knowing that we plan our calendar an entire year in advance. It was at that moment I pulled up my Google Calendar. I had nothing slated for those exact dates, which is a miracle in and of itself. It was clear that God was speaking.
Justin, Karena, Nelson and Rosanna visited Victory Bible Camp in Sutton, AK
making plans for the 2022 Alaska Bike Riders & Support Staff to be housed there.
In our 8 days in Alaska, Karena and I were hosted by Nelson & Rosanna's dear family just outside of Anchorage. We rented a car and drove 2600 miles, following every lead. The most amazing thing happened. At every church we visited, we heard one pastor after another proclaim, "I'm a cyclist too! Please come here." The open doors and open hearts revealed what we were quickly realizing: God is in this!
Pastor Michael Warren from ChangePoint church in Anchorage showed us around his city
and offered to serve as co-Ride Director. He has been such a gift to Ends Cycling.
Fast forward 15 months, and we made it to Alaska! Ends of the Earth Cycling's 46th tour and 36th US state was a dream come true as 36 people joined us! 34 of them were from the lower-48, but one of the Alaskans who joined us was Dr. Stephen Jewett from Fairbanks, AK. It was such a gift to see our brother pedal 200+ miles in 5 days, and his dear wife, Shirley, joined us for worship most nights!
The Jewetts hosted the Hannekens for several days in their Fairbanks home,
and they celebrated freedom on July 4th together!
The Alaska Bike Ride 2022 took place just after Labor Day, which meant God would show off with incredible changing colors in nature. The leaves were the most amazing shades of yellow, orange and red with some dispersed green trees throughout. ChangePoint Church rolled out the red carpet for us, hosting us for several days, and Northern Light Chapel did the same! Pastor John Varland even joined our See Train and rode in his own city on Sunday after church.
SEE Train was taken care of by Karena Hanneken, and Rosanna Hess,
the lady who had the vision for God to bring an Ends Cycling tour to AK, the Last Frontier!
This incredible 5-day, 250-mile tour afforded our participants an opportunity to explore and enjoy Alaska. That was not our primary aim, however. The main focus of this tour was to #PrayPedalRepeat for Enrich Missions (EM) in Nicaragua. It was such a special gift to have Wayne & Megan Tingle, founders and leaders of EM on the tour with us! We give God all the glory for the prayers prayed, funds raised, and another successful Ends Cycling tour.
During the scouting trip, Justin rented a bike from Pablo downtown.
It was a great opportunity to talk to him about Jesus and our ride for global youth coming up in 2022.
On Day 5, cyclists were driven a 2hr 20min transfer from Sutton, AK to the start of the Bird to Gird Trail,
one of the most iconic trails in all of Western, AK.
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