In the summer of 2021, I had the opportunity to ride my bicycle across the United States along the TransAmerica Bike Trail. It was an exhilarating and life changing experience to complete the 4,427-mile trek. The scenic views, the people met, and the life lessons (also known as my take-a-ways) made for some great memories.

I also rode to bring attention to the Lord’s Gym Ministries of the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State Area and youth addiction through our Youth Resiliency Adventure. This year, the adventure for the Lord’s Gym Youth continues using cycling to help our youth develop greater resilience and grow stronger in the Lord. In 2022, a total of 21 young people will ride 326 miles across Ohio with the Lord’s Gym Ministries’ Resiliency Ride.

Resiliency is the ability to recover from setbacks, adapt well to change, and keep going in the face of adversity. It is an ability that we all need to acquire and nurture. Deep purpose and values are core qualities that fuel our resiliency. At the Lord’s Gym, we rely upon the Word of God to reveal purpose and instill values. Long daily bike rides over the course of one week, laden with responsibility and fun, provide the environment to exercise the seven personal attributes of becoming more resilient.

June 18 we will depart from downtown Cincinnati (1211 York St) to embark on one of Ohio’s greatest treasures – the Ohio2Erie Bike Trail. Over the course of the 6 days, we will cycle our way across Ohio (Cincinnati, Columbus, Akron, and Cleveland) while camping each night. Accompanied by adult riders and crew, the workload will be shared and enjoyed by all. I have cycled the route two times, and I have accompanied our youth on bicycle rides from Cincinnati to Niagara Falls with City Gospel Mission two times.

One of my favorite experiences is to see the satisfaction on the faces of both youths and adults as they accomplish such a lofty goal by riding hundreds of miles. Does it make a difference? Yes! I remember the experience of one young man, who was living with my wife at the time we made the ride to Niagara Falls. After the ride, one morning he was getting ready for school and did not feel well. I asked him if he wanted to stay home from school. To my surprise, he said – “No”! He told me it was like riding to Niagara Falls. I was shocked. Explain what you mean I asked him. He reminded me it was like mid-week of the journey. You are tired and sore, but you aren’t going to get there unless you get back on the bike and keep pedaling.  Exactly.

We will begin training in May and use the winter months to work on the bikes and finalize details. Our youth are already getting excited. I encourage you to get involved too to help me see these kids accomplish this goal by helping me to raise $18,600 dollars. That is $600 each or $1.84 per mile per rider. Such an investment in helping a child to recover from setbacks will pay dividends in the years to come. I invite you to monitor our progress on this website, or www.LordsGymMinistries.org, our weekly blog, or social media outlets.

Please feel free to contact me at SBowers@LordsGymMinistries.org, if you have any questions, would like to donate equipment or resources, volunteer, or be part of this (or other) trips.

Stand firm.

Scott

P.S. To learn more about the work being done at Lord’s Gym Ministries, please visit our home page and check out our introductory video.

We all want to have an impact in this world. We want to make a difference. We want that difference to have a lasting effect, even after we have gone home to be with the Lord.

You can accomplish this by making a difference though Lord’s Gym Ministries, an organization whose mission you are deeply passionate about. This can be done with a gift from your estate. It simply requires some forethought and communication with us and making your wishes known via your estate planning, which is usually done via the “Last Will and Testament” or naming Lord’s Gym as a beneficiary.

We strongly urge our partners to consult their Estate Planning Attorneys and Financial Advisors to make their wishes known. Leaving a Legacy does not have to be complicated, and it is something you can take great joy, now.

Dec. 8: What a game the second graders played !!!The kids played spectacularly, game was decided in the last minute, we won 11-8. Congratulations to the players and the coaches!!!!

Let’s go Panthers!

Vamos Panthers!f

Dec. 9 Our sixth graders players had a tough match yesterday against an experienced team. The kids played very well and were exposed to another experience that will help them do better and face the challenges of this life with a good attitude!

Go Panthers!!!

Vamos Panthers!!!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Pefecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 1 Corinthians 5:17

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him.” Psalm 98:1

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you no perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and hot to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jerimiah 29:11

Thanks to Allchurch, Men In Balance, Christ Church, Crossroads, Revive, and Salvation Army for helping to make the Lord’s Gym Christmas parties in Price Hill and Covington such a great experience for all of our friends.

It was a blessed celebration for all!

Now hear what Antonio has to say…

“We are proud of our players,” said Chaplain Chris.

Programs like the basketball league are changing the world of a child in Price Hill. The leagues are a great opportunity to Interact with youth: play, mentor and impact the next generation.

Countless studies prove introducing youth new experiences and sharing positive values, mentors can help youth people avoid negative behaviors and achieve success. In fact, youth with positive and health relationships with caring adults have an increased likelihood of going to college, better attitudes toward school, increased social and emotional development and improved self-esteem. Their lives are transformed!

We want to invite your church, your ministry and of course YOU to join us on our mission to transform lives for the glory of God. Visit https://lordsgymministries.org/volunteer/ You’ll find yourself growing strong in the Lord while you’re here too.

Anette or “Auntie” as she’s known at Lord’s Gym is quite a lady. She doesn’t have much but what she does have she’ll share. She has time, she’ll give you that whether it be in the form of sitting and chatting at the Price Hill Family Activity Center or traveling by bus to downtown Cincinnati to make sure her “less fortunate friends” have something to eat or the resources they need.

Auntie is a sweet woman. A loving woman. She’s had a tough go of things. Several years ago she lost one of her sons to the the streets. That’s why, she says, she does what she does. She spends her time helping others — giving them all she has in hopes their lives will change.

Auntie’s way of life is much like that of a widow woman that Jesus makes note of in Mark 12:41-44. The Scripture reads: “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

“Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.'”

What an absolutely beautiful gift. This gift is truly from the heart because it’s so self-sacrificing. It’s also reminiscent of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, as well as the sacrifice He calls us to make — to live for Him. To live for Him means to follow His example to love and give selfishly of ourselves. Thank you Auntie, for the reminder.

If you’d like to become a part of the Lord’s Gym Ministries mission to transform lives for the glory of God, visit www.LordsGymMinistries.org. Learn how you can volunteer and give. Please, remember us in prayer, that’s the No. 1 thing you can do for our ministry.