Pedaling for a Purpose

What if your next bike ride could help fight global hunger?

That’s the idea behind Ride to Renew, a new cycling event from World Renew, the CRCNA’s agency for sustainable community development and disaster response. From Nov. 1–9, 2025, 100 riders will bike across Florida—from Clearwater on the Gulf Coast to Canaveral National Seashore on the Atlantic Coast. It’s a nine-day ride, nearly 300 miles long. And it’s all for a cause that reaches far beyond the trail.

“We are asking each rider to raise $3,000, which will fund sustainable-farming training for 15 farmers,” said Kacey Spencer, World Renew donor engagement program manager. “Our goal is to support 1,500 farmers worldwide to help improve the lives of as many as 9,000 people through food security, resilience, and hope. In that way, it's not just a cycling trip. It’s a way to change lives through World Renew’s holistic commitment to supporting food security around the world.”

Ride to Renew has developed from World Renew’s commitment to tackle global hunger and food insecurity through supporting sustainable, climate-resilient farming.

“The event is designed to raise both awareness and support for training programs that can help farmers adapt to climate change, restore soil health, and increase food production,” said Spencer. “Training farmers in sustainable practices helps them adapt to climate change, improve crop yields, and ensure food security for their communities. This approach not only provides immediate relief but also fosters long-term resilience and economic stability.”

World Renew has been working alongside farmers and families for decades—walking with them as they build stronger, more food-secure communities. Ride to Renew is an invitation for individuals to join that work in a new way, said Spencer, by pushing your body, raising support, and learning as you go.

“The ride is unique because it helps pair personal fitness goals with support for sustainable agriculture—giving farmers the tools they need to thrive in the face of climate change,” she added. When farmers can restore their soil, protect their crops, and grow enough to feed their families (and maybe even sell the surplus), everything changes. Kids stay in school. Parents earn income. Entire communities grow stronger.

Florida’s Coast to Coast Trail is a one-of-a-kind route. It’s peaceful, scenic, and bikeable from sea to sea. Riders encounter lakes, forests, and small towns. 

“The journey itself becomes a metaphor for working to end global hunger through supporting sustainable farming: renewal takes time, effort, and a steady rhythm. In addition, Florida’s diverse landscapes provide a great setting for participants to reflect on the ride’s mission while appreciating the amazing world we live in,” Spencer explained.

Here’s the best part: Ride to Renew isn’t just for elite cyclists! 

“We want people with bikes!” said Terry Barnes, one of the ride’s organizers.

Ride to Renew, he said, is open to anyone with a bike, a bit of training, and a heart for justice. Whether you're a casual cyclist or a weekend warrior, Barnes said, you’ll find camaraderie—and purpose—along the trail. Some riders may come with years of experience; others will be getting into the saddle for the first time for a cause like this. What unites them isn’t speed but conviction.

“What sets Ride to Renew apart is the vision behind it,” Barnes added. “World Renew understands that hunger isn’t just from a lack of food—it’s about broken systems, poverty, and disproportional access. That’s why their work includes community-led savings and agriculture training alongside disaster response and justice initiatives.”

With programs in over 30 countries and longstanding partnerships through the CRCNA, World Renew leverages local leadership—working not for communities but with them. Ride to Renew isn’t just fundraising; it's faith in action—investment in people and the planet.

If you are interested in learning more or participating, there are several ways to get involved:

• Register to ride according to regular ($200 until July 31) or late ($250 from Aug. 1 onward) rates.
• Support a rider or spread the word on social channels.
• Learn more about World Renew’s holistic approach to food security.

Visit Ride to Renew’s homepage to get started. Every pedal stroke, every share, every donation fuels a farmer’s hope—and helps World Renew’s mission in bringing Christ’s renewal into the world.