VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 4/19/13)—College senior Garrett Zambrows will appear at the ABC Mission Summit/Biennial at the American Baptist International Ministries (IM) exhibit to raise awareness for his cross-country biking trip. The trip is designed, in part, to raise funds for IM missionaries Debbie Kelsey’s and Mylinda Baits’ anti-human trafficking project.
Zambrows’ journey called“Riding Against Traffic!” is designed to spotlight the global problem of trafficking in human beings. Funds raised at the Mission Summit/Biennial will go for the anti-trafficking mission work of Baits and Kelsey. Additionally, funds raised by Zambrows will support CASA for Kids, which helps abused and neglected children in Indiana. Zambrows, age 25, will graduate with a film degree from Purdue University in May 2013.
Zambrows will begin his journey on June 3 and will be biking for five months, riding a total of 12,000 miles. Zambrows will rely on the hospitality of others during the trip for housing, food, showers and other amenities.
When asked why he is so committed to anti-human trafficking ministries, Zambrows explained, “First and foremost, Jesus calls us to do two things: love God and love one another. I haven’t figured out loving God 100%, but loving my neighbor is something that has immediate empirical evidence. Nowhere in any definition of ’love’ is the exploitation of someone for physical or sexual use included. Human trafficking isn’t an example of loving our neighbors, and I can’t help but feel that I need to do something about it.”
“Garrett’s ride is a unique opportunity for you and/or your church to grab your community’s attention for this topic,” commented Kelsey. “Believe me, young people are passionate about this!”
Zambrows will be riding a stationary bike at the IM exhibit to symbolize his cross-country trek. All attendees are invited to stop by and learn more about his passion for the anti-human trafficking efforts of Kelsey and Baits. His cross-country itinerary will be available. Along the route, Zambrows is seeking speaking opportunities in churches and with the press, accommodations in peoples’ homes and bike riders to accompany him on portions of the trip. For more information, contact dkelsey64@gmail.com.
The American Baptist Mission Summit/Biennial is June 21-23 in Overland Park/Kansas City, Kansas. For registration information, go to http://www.americanbaptists2013.com/.
For more information, contact Catherine Nold: catherine.nold@abc-usa.org
American Baptist International Ministries was organized in 1814 as the first Baptist international mission agency in America. It began its pioneer mission work in Burma and today works in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas serving more than 1,800 long-term and short-term missionaries. Its central mission is to help people come to faith in Jesus, grow in their relationship with God, and change their worlds through the power of the Spirit. It works with respected partners in over 70 countries in ministries that meet human need.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.