‘Ministry Alongside’ Includes Bicycles

For the Indigenous Christian Fellowship (ICF) in Regina, Sask., the goal of “walking with people who experience its ministry” is sometimes accomplished by means of bicycles.

Established by the Christian Reformed Church in 1978, ICF works in partnership with the Canadian Indigenous Ministry Committee (CIMC). Together the ministries work to support healing and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

On any given day, the center serves people in a variety of ways. From welcoming drop-in visitors to offering times of prayer, family breakfasts, bannock and soup days, and literacy training, the center has become a community gathering space.

In 1998 the center started a bicycle recycling project. This project puts bikes in the hands of people who can’t afford to purchase their own, by collecting and refurbishing donated bikes and then distributing them to people in the community. Over the course of 21 years, the program has given away 4,236 bikes.

Last week this program faced a setback. The center receives bike donations throughout the year and stores them in a locked storage container until they are ready for distribution. Despite having heavy duty locks, the storage container was broken into last week and six bikes were stolen. A particularly significant loss was a three-wheeled bike, a model that is in high demand for diabetic members of the community who need the added wheel for stability.

ICF Executive Director Bert Adema described the theft as “a kick in the teeth.” Before the robbery, the staff at the center were already struggling to meet the demand for refurbished bikes. On a previous distribution day, for example, more than 250 people lined up to receive a bike, but the center had only 60 bikes available.

But, said Adema, “You don’t pack up and go away, because that would signal to the community that the darkness wins.”

Instead, Adema and others have chosen to remain positive. They continue to offer various outreach programs and are trusting that God will keep providing what they need. And a sign of God’s provision is already clear. On the same day that an article publicized the theft, a couple came to ICF to donate three bikes!

This bike program and various other methods of outreach are having an impact. One member of the community expressed his thankfulness for the fellowship at ICF, adding that ICF provides “constant help” for the community all week.

“They have after-school programming for the children and parents together to help form that important bond and break the residential school curse of lack of parenting,” he said.

Adema is encouraged and thankful for the expressions of concern and support that the ministry has received in the wake of the bike theft. The center staff also plan to install security cameras outside their facility to help prevent future theft.