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WHEEL POWER Christian Cyclists is a non-denominational, evangelistic “Church on Wheels” ministry founded by Dr. Judy Bowman in 1993. Its mission statement is generally understood to be communicated by the phrase: “Go and Tell.” Headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia, it is a 501c-3 non-denominational organization working with volunteers and churches throughout the US to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They also are a network of resources for evangelistic outreach and sports ministry. WPCC is registered as a trail and route contact with Virginia.gov under VDOT District Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators (3).

Acronym
WHEEL POWER is an acronym:  W itnessing,  H elping,  E vangelizing,  E ncouraging and  L oving as we  P ress  O n W ard to  E ternal  R ewards.

Founder
Dr. Judy Bowman is a record holder of the longest bicycle ride on a stationary bicycle. She is also the founder of WHEEL POWER Christian Cyclists and Ambassador of Pickle Ball in the Southern Central Virginia. She is an evangelical born-again Christian evangelist specializing in sports ministry and, when she is not on the road, Judy lives in Lynchburg, Virginia. . Judy is the author of several Bible tracts: Can We Pedal Our Way To Heaven? Where's The Road To Heaven? Is There Life After Pickleball? Good News Witnessing and a Bible Study Book "Until the Road Ends". (cite tracts and book).

Beginnings
When Dr. Bowman was laid off of her job as an administrative director at Liberty University in 1990, she realized she had an opportunity to fulfill a life-long dream to ride her bicycle across the United States of America. She biked the 3000 some mile journey on a Merlin titanium bicycle with red Spinergy wheels and 30-gears (Campy), given to her as a gift. Finding the trip to be inspiring and a valuable means by which to share her faith, she officially began WHEEL POWER Christian Cyclists in 1993. WHEEL POWER is designed to help Christians learn to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ while enjoying a love of cycling. In June of that year, she took 12 bicyclists on a short term missions trip across Virginia.

In 1994, Judy took her first team of adults on the 3200 mile missionary bicycling trip across America (depending on the route it can be sometimes over 4000 miles, . She did this ride coast to coast with groups averaging 25-30 members per trip and about 65 miles per day and covering multiple types of terrain (11). In total, the WHEEL POWER bicycle teams have been coast to coast 12 times, covering 31 states in all and averaging about 3400 miles per cross-country trip. They have guided individuals from many of the 50 states as well as one African country across America.

They have also done 15 short term trips, averaging 50 miles per day, in the following states: Ohio, Florida (5 times), Missouri, Virginia and New England (6 States). These short-term trips can run anywhere from 1-14 days in length. WPCC reached 1 million miles on bicycles in the Summer of 2001. In total, there have been over 1.8 million accident-free miles with this ministry.

In 2010, WHEEL POWER decided to expand their outreach horizons and took a cross-country motorcycle trip. In total, they have traveled in 30 states on motorcycles. The bold yellow 2009 Honda Goldwing Trike with California Sidecar conversion kit, the vehicle of choice for the founder, Judy Bowman, was a gift from friends of the ministry. The ministry has taken 4 motorcycle trips across country thus far and hope to do more in the future. The founder took the 7.200 mile trip from Lynchburg, Virginia to San Francisco, California by herself on her motorcycle in 2012.

In total, WPCC has had over 500 short-term and long-term members with over 5,000 friends and supporters of the ministry.

Organizational model
Using the GOOD NEWS method of evangelism. Uses visual aids, such as the Creation Cube, and wear neon yellow jerseys.

WPCC is a non-denominational, non-profit organization. Financial support is derived from donations, trip fees and merchandise sales. The ministry also hosts a run/walk event each year. The Frosty Footrace (in the winter) is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and is also an extension of the ministry’s financial support.

WHEEL POWER networks with a local evangelical church every night during their short-term and long-term trips, conducting ministry programs with music, drama, teaching and testimonies. Team members also sleep in the Sunday school rooms of the host church and enjoy a fellowship meal with the church family. WPCC also takes teams to prisons, juvenile detention centers and day care centers.

Conferences

 * Congress in Boston in 1997, 98, 99 (bicycling)
 * ACSI, Association of Christian Schools International, NJ, PA (bicycling)
 * Christian Motorcycle Rally at Ridgecrest

Daytona Beach Motorcycle Rally
The Pocket Testament League partners with WPCC and supplies the teams with the Gospels of John. The American Bible Society partnered with them in the 1990 and donated 5,000 New Testaments.