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Ministry refurbishes abandoned bicycles and gives them to needy children
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| Justin Garrett, left, and Cameron Moore wait patiently as Shawn Vanlue fixes a bicycle Thursday on Park Row. The boys were just two of the many children to receive free bicycles as a part of Abundant Grace Fellowship’s ministry. (Megan Locke, The Messenger) |
By Megan Locke, Messenger Intern mlocke@the-messenger.com
Deanthony Hutch sped up and down Park Row on Thursday, testing out his new set of wheels.
"I've never had a mountain bike before," he said. "I never went up to six gears in my whole life."
Hutch's first bicycle was stolen, but the kindness of a local couple allowed him to hit the streets for summer fun once again.
Children's church pastors Shawn and Elaine Vanlue of Abundant Grace Fellowship decided six months ago to give away used bicycles for children as a ministry. They started by sending bicycles to eastern Kentucky, where a friend said they were sorely needed by children.
"They just don't have (anything) in the mountains," Shawn said.
Both Shawn and Elaine grew up knowing what it was like not to have a bicycle, so they wanted to provide this opportunity for underprivileged children.
As a result of this determination, they began to scout around town to find abandoned bicycles. They took these old wheels and refurbished them by fixing flat tires and making needed repairs. After sending several to eastern Kentucky, they decided to develop the program locally.
Elaine's sister, Tonya Brown, offered the front yard of her house on Park Row near the Madisonville Housing Authority for the couple's ministry on Wednesday and Thursday. It did not take long for the word to spread and children to come out by the dozens.
"It's kind of like Christmas in July," Shawn said.
In addition to handing out free bicycles to children in need, the couple also completed repairs. Some people just needed air in the tires or the handlebars adjusted to get back on the road.
Since some of the children had previous bicycles stolen, the Vanlues also plan to be able to give them locks and engrave their names on the bicycles to keep them safe.
Besides bringing joy to the group of children's faces, the program is meant to serve a higher power.
"We're doing a street ministry for the kids," Shawn said. " ... We just come out here and witness to the kids and invite them to church."
Shawn said this ministry is relatively simple, but it provides so much opportunity for the children involved.
"Times are tough," he said. "The economy is tough. (The bicycles we find) just need a little bit of repair."
Thirty-four bicycles have already been distributed, and there are plans to distribute more throughout the community. The Vanlues said they want to go to several other low-income areas and spread the happiness.
"A lot of people look at missions as being overseas, but we have a mission field right here," Elaine said.
Baker was thankful to be able to take part in the ministry.
"Children are a gift from God," she said. "When you do for them, you are doing unto the Lord. The blessing is in the children themselves ... watching them with their bikes.
"It didn't matter if (the bicycle) had rusty handlebars or not, they were grateful for what they received."
The ministry seems to be working, as Hutch said he was "definitely going to that church" as a result of his experience with the bicycle.
The Vanlues are appreciative of any donations or help with the program. For more information, they can be contacted at 836-4897.
"I've never had a mountain bike before," he said. "I never went up to six gears in my whole life."
Hutch's first bicycle was stolen, but the kindness of a local couple allowed him to hit the streets for summer fun once again.
Children's church pastors Shawn and Elaine Vanlue of Abundant Grace Fellowship decided six months ago to give away used bicycles for children as a ministry. They started by sending bicycles to eastern Kentucky, where a friend said they were sorely needed by children.
"They just don't have (anything) in the mountains," Shawn said.
Both Shawn and Elaine grew up knowing what it was like not to have a bicycle, so they wanted to provide this opportunity for underprivileged children.
As a result of this determination, they began to scout around town to find abandoned bicycles. They took these old wheels and refurbished them by fixing flat tires and making needed repairs. After sending several to eastern Kentucky, they decided to develop the program locally.
Elaine's sister, Tonya Brown, offered the front yard of her house on Park Row near the Madisonville Housing Authority for the couple's ministry on Wednesday and Thursday. It did not take long for the word to spread and children to come out by the dozens.
"It's kind of like Christmas in July," Shawn said.
In addition to handing out free bicycles to children in need, the couple also completed repairs. Some people just needed air in the tires or the handlebars adjusted to get back on the road.
Since some of the children had previous bicycles stolen, the Vanlues also plan to be able to give them locks and engrave their names on the bicycles to keep them safe.
Besides bringing joy to the group of children's faces, the program is meant to serve a higher power.
"We're doing a street ministry for the kids," Shawn said. " ... We just come out here and witness to the kids and invite them to church."
Shawn said this ministry is relatively simple, but it provides so much opportunity for the children involved.
"Times are tough," he said. "The economy is tough. (The bicycles we find) just need a little bit of repair."
Thirty-four bicycles have already been distributed, and there are plans to distribute more throughout the community. The Vanlues said they want to go to several other low-income areas and spread the happiness.
"A lot of people look at missions as being overseas, but we have a mission field right here," Elaine said.
Baker was thankful to be able to take part in the ministry.
"Children are a gift from God," she said. "When you do for them, you are doing unto the Lord. The blessing is in the children themselves ... watching them with their bikes.
"It didn't matter if (the bicycle) had rusty handlebars or not, they were grateful for what they received."
The ministry seems to be working, as Hutch said he was "definitely going to that church" as a result of his experience with the bicycle.
The Vanlues are appreciative of any donations or help with the program. For more information, they can be contacted at 836-4897.
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