CAMBRIA, Calif.—When cyclists rode through the Cambria area to support Wounded Warriors, First Baptist Church was on the scene cheering them on and volunteering to help.
Each fall, Wounded Warriors sponsors its Ride 2 Recovery cycling challenge. This year, Oct. 4–11, about 200 cyclists rode over 400 miles from the San Francisco Bay area to Los Angeles, raising awareness and funds for Wounded Warriors. First Baptist Church donated patriotic decorations and sent five volunteers to help set up for the dinner served to these men and women at the San Simeon Cavalier Resort on their way south. June Albert, Dell Mathieson, Debby Boutros, Laura McKinney, and Cathy Wilson, First Baptist Church liaisons, helped with setup, decorating, and tear-down. Members of First Baptist also waited along scenic Highway 1 to cheer for these Wounded Warriors as they cycled past.
First Baptist Church began its military outreach program about five years ago when one of its members who had years of experience in another church submitted a suggestion to the deacon board. The ministry aims to serve active military members and their families in the community for the sake of Christ, looking for ways to share the gospel. One way it does that is by working alongside the local American Legion post whenever possible.
“We are privileged to honor and encourage those who have sacrificed dearly to serve our country,” says Elizabeth Fitzgerald, administrative assistant at First Baptist, and Cathy Wilson. “We pray that through our service and love for our military personnel, we might sow gospel seeds and that God might bring many of these sons and daughters to Glory.”
