The North-Central Jurisdiction is holding a fundraising bike ride for the Imagine No Malaria campaign. The Ride for Change takes 12 days and covers more than 8 states and 930 miles. The route starts in Sioux Falls, SD on Monday, June 16, and ends in Port Clinton, OH on Saturday, June 28, taking the riders through the eight states within the North-Central Jurisdiction.

Day one of a 12-day trek will begin from Brandon, South Dakota, to Port Clinton, Ohio.The United Methodist Church's North Central jurisdictional ride covers 1,000 miles. The first day, from Brandon to Spirit Lake, covers 82 miles.  Click here for the complete itinerary. 

Planning began in mid-April with the Michigan Area inviting NC jurisdictional bishops. Imagine No Malaria field coordinators also helped recruit a rider from their conference and to encourage churches to pledge $1 per mile to that rider's effort.

Because of the time commitment involved and the stamina needed to undertake a 1,000 mile ride, several conferences have been able to name part-time bikers.

Three of the full-trippers are from Michigan: Rob Nystrom (pastor of Three Rivers First and Mendon UMCs), Laurie Haller (pastor of Birmingham First UMC), and Wayne Bank (Detroit Conference Lay Leader).

"I have done a lot of cycling in several ironman triathlons and have completed a number of century rides," Haller said. "I'm familiar with the demands of long distance cycling."

Haller's original interest in malaria prevention was sparked in Fort Worth at the 2008 General Conference. She heard Bill Gates Sr. celebrate the partnership of his Foundation, the United Nations and The United Methodist Church in the fight against malaria.

"I can't imagine anything more fulfilling than combining my joy of endurance events with raising money for Imagine No Malaria," she said.

Riders will stay at churches or in church family homes along the way. The hope is that at least one rider from each Conference is represented. Riders will be averaging 80 miles per day. Fundraising will be accomplished by each rider in their Conference. The ride takes place during the Wisconsin Annual Conference session, but anyone not attending Annual Conference is encouraged to participate.

To donate to the online to Imagaine No Malaria click here or mail a check to the Dakotas Annual Conference UMC, P.O. Box 460, Mitchell, SD 57301, please put Imagine No Malaria in the memo line of the check. 

If you would like to support Pastor Laurie Haller on the Ride for Change click here