Riders Get a Glimpse Into Cycle of Poverty

A handful of Sea to Sea riders will have an opportunity today to see just what their bike tour is really all about when a local resident leads them through impoverished neighborhoods in Gary, Indiana.

Sent off by their hosts at Trinity Christian College with a short worship service at 8 a.m., riders will make their way for 48 miles (or 77 kms) from Palos Heights, Ill., through Munster, Highland and Gary, before arriving at Indiana Dunes State Park near Chesterton where they’ll pitch their tents for the night.

Midway through the ride, John Hoffmaster, a resident of Gary, will take a small group of cyclists, together with some pastors and members of the media, through Gary’s Black Oak neighborhood, telling stories about real people and families living in poverty and praying for a breakthrough in the cycles that keep his community poor.

Hoffmaster is passionate about seeing the Church reach into the community with the light and hope of Jesus.

“Gary is one of those places where there are immense poverty challenges and deep racism,” Hoffmaster says. “People have considered it beyond hope, but I’m praying that this city is going to turn around.”

He hopes that those who join him on today’s 90-minute tour will become more aware of the living conditions of "our neighbors" and that “by God’s grace, there would be a change in their hearts for compassion for the underdog, the poor. It’s only a small group,” he continues, “but if they go back to their churches with an excitement to be part of the good fight."

Today’s glimpse into poverty is part of a series of service projects that cyclists are volunteering to participate in during the Sea to Sea’s nine-week ride across North America.

On Friday, about a dozen more riders will have a chance to work alongside a local agency in Grand Haven, Mich., repairing bicycles for those in need.