Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) is excited to be a part of Sea to Sea 2008.  We are encouraged to see so many cyclists committed to raise awareness for poverty.  CRWM works to break cycles of poverty by addressing their root causes, by helping people learn a Biblical worldview, and by working with God’s people toward long-term personal and social transformation.  Thank you for joining with us in this great adventure.

Gary J. Bekker
CRWM Director

Read STORIES from individuals whose lives have been changed through your partnership with CRWM.

CRWM has three employees who are participating in this exciting cross country cycling tour.  Lois Craven will be biking all nine weeks.  Gord Buys and Al Karsten will do the last leg of the tour from Grand Rapids through southern Ontario ending in Jersey City, NJ. 

They covet your prayers as they prepare for this exciting journey!

So how can you participate in this exciting event?  Here are a few options.
• You can pray for Lois, Gord and Al.  Pray that they will be well prepared for the journey and especially during the event, pray for safety of all cyclists.
• You can join one of the ten celebration events.  Check the Sea to Sea website for details.
• You can support Lois, Gord and Al financially.  The challenge is for the three of them together to raise at least $18,000. Follow this link to donate online. Please use "CRWM cyclists" in the spot where it asks of the name of the cyclist.

Breaking the cycles of poverty:

CRWM works to break the cycles of poverty by dealing with some of the root causes of poverty.  Programs, projects and funds alone cannot stop the cycle of poverty.  When people appropriate new ideas, new paradigms and a new worldview, true transformation of individuals and communities can occur and the cycle of poverty can be broken.  CRWM works toward such transformation through the following strategies:

• Leadership development – addressing sinful cultural patterns of leadership - which enrich a few at the expense of the many, keeps power in the hands of the few, and  perpetuates systemic injustice and oppression - by teaching biblical servant leadership.
• Discipleship – addressing “inch deep” faith by teaching believers to be radical followers of Jesus who live with sensitivity to their culture but not in subjection to it.
• Christian Education – addressing the powerlessness of ignorance by equipping boys, girls, men and women with education which transforms their understanding of the world and their role in it.
•  Centers for Transformation – addressing injustice, poverty, and other ills in society by empowering believers to be agents of transformation in every area of life and in every sphere of influence, through teaching a reformed (biblical) world and life view.
• Capacity building – addressing the weaknesses of institutions and organizations by listening to them, consulting with them, and assisting them to be the kind of institutions and organizations that address the needs and sins of humanity with the resources of God’s kingdom.