Part of the cyclist group of Seventh-day Adventists get ready to take off to pedal through Bogota, the capital city of Colombia, during a 40-mile journey to promote the “I Want to Live Healthy” initiative across the main streets and avenues there, as well as celebrate the 100 years since the Adventist Church was organized in the city. More than 200 cycled in Bogota and 80 from the Boyaca department, centrally located in the mountainous region, took part in the activity on February 27, 2022. [Photo: Juan Alvis]
Colombia | Laura Acosta and Inter-American Division News

More than 200 cyclists rode 40 kilometers throughout Bogota, Colombia’s capital city, to launch the start of dozens of initiatives and activities to commemorate 100 years since the Seventh-day Adventist Church was established there. Children, young people, and adults pedaled across the main streets and avenues on February 27, 2022, to promote healthy living to onlookers and business owners.

Wearing shirts bearing the “I Want to Live Healthy” logo, depicting an initiative of the church in the Inter-American Division (IAD) territory to promote the eight natural remedies or healthy habits, professional and amateur cyclists shared smiles and hope.

Pastor Alvaro Niño (right), president for the church in the South Colombia Union, and Pastor Leonel Preciado (left), Health Ministries director for the union, embrace before they pedal 40 kilometers through Bogota, Colombia. [Photo: Juan Alvis]

Pastor Alvaro Niño (right), president for the church in the South Colombia Union, and Pastor Leonel Preciado (left), Health Ministries director for the union, embrace before they pedal 40 kilometers through Bogota, Colombia. [Photo: Juan Alvis]

Another group of 80 Adventist cyclists in Boyacá, a department (similar to a state) centrally located in the mountainous region in the country, took to the main roads wearing their “I Want to Live Healthy” shirts.

“This [activity] is all part of us celebrating 100 years since the Adventist Church was organized in Bogota and to also begin commemorating the establishment of the Inter-American Division being celebrated this year,” said Pastor Alvaro Niño, president of the church in South Colombia. Niño also took part in the cycling initiative as a member of the church’s I Want to Live Healthy Cyclist Club. “We are a group sharing hope; we are a church of hope; and for this, we are inviting our membership across the region to also form additional I Want to Live Healthy cyclist clubs.”

A group of cyclists pose for a group photo after making the 40-kilometer journey throughout Bogota, Colombia, on February 27, 2022. [Photo: Juan Alvis]

A group of cyclists pose for a group photo after making the 40-kilometer journey throughout Bogota, Colombia, on February 27, 2022. [Photo: Juan Alvis]

The event began at 8:00 a.m. at the Enrique Olaya Herrera National Park, in the eastern part of Bogota, with prayer and praise songs before cyclists took off.

Diomedes Lucumy, a young adult member of the cyclist club, was impressed by the church’s message of healthy living. “One day, I had the opportunity to cycle more than 500 kilometers from Bogota to the Cauca department, and I decided to wear my I Want to Live Healthy uniform, and I wore it proudly because I want to motivate [people] to exercise,” he said.

Pastor Leonel Preciado, director of the Youth Ministries department for the church in South Colombia, said it’s been a joy to have Lucumy as part of the church’s cycling club. Ever since Preciado extended an invitation to Lucumy to join the club, his commitment has been inspiring.

“Diomedes was the first member of our club who purchased the uniform shirt and the first to travel 500 kilometers wearing it,” said Preciado. “He is not a member of the church, but he trains, takes part in every impact activity, is passionate about healthful living, and invites young people and his fellow cyclist friends to live healthy.”

The plan is to reach out to more people to take part in the cyclist club the church organizes, said Preciado. It’s about sharing the health message and the love of Jesus, he added.

As the cycling activity was taking place, a group of women walked alongside the cycling route on the main streets, distributing literature about the healthy-living initiative.

“Many [people] approached us to find out more about the activity,” said Zharick Bohórquez, a young person from the Northwest church region. “We were reassured that this message of ‘I Want to Live Healthy’ is so that young people, pastors, and children can share, taking the eight natural remedies and hope to the community,” she said.

The cycling club concluded its journey at the Adventist Coliseum in the city. “This was an extraordinary impact that can lead the mind and heart of [people] to know Jesus as their personal Savior,” said Pastor Niño. He encouraged participants to join other upcoming I Want to Live Healthy activities.

Additional activities led by the church will include health expos, blood drives, tree planting, cycling routes, and a grand cycling celebration where 100 cyclists will travel 100 kilometers through Bogota in commemoration of the centennial celebrations later this year.

To learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Colombia, including its initiatives and activities this year, visit unioncolombianadelsur.org.

This article was originally published on the Inter-American Division’s website 

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