WE ARE PEDAL MINISTRY
In 2021, PEDAL Ministry was founded when Nick Janssen realized his need for true community with other men who followed Jesus. Often men bond while engaged in physical activity together. Mountain biking is an activity that Nick is passionate about as are many other men in Prescott, AZ.
In Matthew, chapter 22, verses 37-40:
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
As Nick thought and prayed about what would be worth setting aside time for meeting up with other guys each week, he kept coming back to God's love for us. Realizing that our time is valuable and in order to make the most of the time, we will challenge one another to put love for God and others above everything else, not just in words, but in action. Every other desire, like a new bike, a better job, a great bike ride, or anything else will come after love. The times we meet together each week will not focus on the quantity of miles, nor on the quality of the ride as much as it will focus on sharing God's love with other guys and other trail users while riding bikes together.
P.E.D.A.L Ministry is focused on fulfilling the Great Commission by using bicycles as tools to reach people with the Gospel and win them to faith in Jesus Christ, build and disciple them in their faith, and send them to win and disciple others.
Pedal Analogy
‘When I first met Jesus
It seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride,
But it was a tandem bike,
And I noticed that Jesus
Was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was that
He suggested we change places,
But life has not been the same since.
When I had control, I knew the way,
It was rather boring, but predictable...
It was the shortest distance between two points.
But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
Up mountains, and through rocky places,
At breakneck speeds,
It was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, "Pedal"I worried and was anxious and asked,
"Where are you taking me?"
He didn't answer,
And I started to learn to trust.
I forgot my boring life
And entered into the adventure.
And when I'd say, "I'm scared,"
He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed.
Gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy.
He said, "Give the gifts away;
They're extra baggage, too much weight.
"So I did, I gave them to the people we met,
And I found that in the giving, I received,
And still our burden was light.
I did not trust Him, at first, In control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it;
But He knows bike secrets,
Knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
Knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
Knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.
And I am learning to be patient
and pedal in the strangest places,
And I'm beginning to enjoy the view
And the cool breeze on my face
With my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I'm sure I just can't do it anymore,
He just smiles and says...
"Pedal." -Unknown