Not really knowing what to expect, Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Macomb put out a call asking for bicycles to be donated on Saturday, April 17. During a 2-hour window, the community could drop off their used bikes, even if they weren’t in perfect working condition. Stations were set up to fix the bikes, ensuring the brakes were working, the chains wouldn’t fall off, and all nuts and bolts were tightened.
The 2-wheelers are going to the Good News Gang in Southwest Detroit. The organization, a ministry of Metro Life Church, is committed to providing hope and building futures for children living in adverse conditions. This is an organization Immanuel knows well and loves to help. Karen Reincke, the Lead Family Life Minister at Immanuel, said, “We know there’s a need within southwest Detroit, especially for those families.”
What happened in those 2 hours shocked and amazed everyone involved. The bicycles came flooding in, as the donations never seemed to stop. Bikes were lined up, row after row after row. The crews that were fixing up the bikes had to put in lots of extra time with their tools. In total, Immanuel collected 81 bikes, which blew away any expectations they had for this event.
Reincke gushed about the outpouring of support for the families they will help: “I was glad we were able to help donate bikes—and not just bikes, but usable bikes that are fixed up.”
In partnering with the Good News Gang, Reincke feels blessed that the church and school get to share more than just the bikes: “We love how they share the Gospel with the kids involved in the Good News Gang.”
Later that week, Pastor Matt Cripps picked up the bikes at Immanuel. He brought their old school buses to show off and load them all up.
Photos courtesy of Rev. Nikolai Gibbons
Weldon Schwiebert - April 28, 2021
Very nice community outreach event. What a response!!!