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News & Stories

Wilderness Trip 2022 - Part 2

10/19/2022

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     God is most clear in the uncomfortable: the suffering, the hard questions, the star­ing down a 45-foot jump into unknown water. I’ve spent enough of my life in the safety zone, and I’ve realized that it’s not truly living. I want to fully embrace the story that God is writing for me; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Wilderness gave me all of those moments.
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​Freezing cold NID water at 6am, watching the sun rise from the top of English Mountain, stumbling through a mineshaft while shouting out lyrics to whatever songs came into our heads, staring up at the moon and stars, jumping off rocks, cliffs, and dams, looking west over the moun­tains. These moments – all of them – are invaluable to me. Not just for the thrill, but because they showed me more of my Father. - Alec
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     I think along with learning the importance of com­munication comes learning humility. Communicat­ing our needs and asking for things can be tough but I think it is necessary for growth. – James
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     Before we ran the 5k, Suzanne read to us from Hebrews 12, which speaks about setting aside everything that weighs us down or ensnares us, and running with endurance the race set before us, always keeping Jesus as the center of our focus. That last run for me symbolized how the pace I set in my life needs not to be one of speed or great form, but one that sees only Jesus and runs enduringly to Him. - Danika
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     I had to learn that I don’t stop loving others even if I am depleted or tired. Jesus never stopped loving others, even when He suffered ridicule, torture, and isolation. When did I start thinking I could stop loving others just because it became hard? Love looks like carrying two backpacks. Love looks like carry­ing a teammate up a hill even when my feet feel like they are going to fall off. Love looks like encouraging a teammate even when the last thing I want to do is speak to another human being. - Hannah

See Wilderness Trip 2022 - Part 1. 
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Wilderness Trip 2022 - Part 1

10/11/2022

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     I was not only encouraged by others’ words and actions, but I also learned it’s okay to be honest about the hard things you’re going through, because in the end, you’re not alone...When I prayed for God to take away my anxiety, He did for the time needed. All in all, I learned that anxi­ety may be a huge factor sometimes, but there is a way through it. - Levi
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     I believe Wilderness is designed to bring people to a place of self-aware­ness and raw vulnerability that enables one to seek God in true honesty. On this trip God revealed to me something that shook how I viewed my past and that opened a door of freedom for the future. God showed me how my fear of failure was preventing me from trusting in His sovereignty. - David
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     I learned that fear and anxiety can feel paralyzing, but they really aren’t paralyzing...In the future when I am scared I will be able to put one foot in front of the other and continue to persevere. - Ireland
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Wilderness 2019 - Exposed

11/6/2019

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In late summer, our students and interns were not only exposed on rock faces and exposed to the elements for 15 days, but they were exposed to the reality of God and to one another. Here’s what they learned.
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Praying specifically each morning about my fears calmed me down and gave me a sense of peace, and I felt more ready to conquer whatever the day held for me. Meeting this goal each morning then helped me learn in a very real way that God is bigger than my fears and is present with me as I face them.
​- Emma
In the past I’ve had the attitude of “yeah, God is real, but I need something to prove that. I need evidence. I see nature - I get that. But I need a personal experience.” And this trip hit me hard with that. Even though God pushed me to my limits, He showed me through that how real He is.
​- Cassidy

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37th Agony Ride Stats & Highlights

9/18/2019

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The numbers: 
75 riders
16,670 miles ridden
$200,000+ raised in gifts and pledges
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Leaderboard: 
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Men: Luis Magallon, 399
Women: Rosemary Lechnowsky, 329

New tandem record: 
(The previous tandem record was 324 miles.
This year we had two tandem teams surpass the previous record.)

Gary Robinson & Carol Douglass, 350
Paul McClain & Michael Johnson, 329

Most money raised (CER staff): 
Nate Boyd - $14,543

Most money raised (non-staff): 
Jonathan Palmer - $14,237

​Mark your calendars for next year’s Ride! July 24-25, 2020
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The (Agony) Ride that keeps on giving

9/18/2019

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More than a grueling physical event that its name implies, the Agony Ride serves as an annual “reset” for many - a stripping away of the crust that has hardened over our hearts in response to the pain in this world and the trials we face. This was evident as rider after sagger after rider stepped on stage during our Sunday church service following the Ride to share a personal reflection.

Second-time rider, Michael Johnson, who has participated in a number of organized cycling events, says what sets the Agony Ride apart is not just the exemplary service provided at each SAG station, but who is providing the service. “When you’re two hours into the Ride and things are starting to hurt, and it dawns on you that you have 22 more hours to go, it’s mentally crushing...[The students] are what makes it...[You] lifted me up and kept me positive and kept me going. You took that crushing weight off...” Our students gave of themselves continuously and found that the riders did the same. This is the beautiful illustration of the ongoing cycle of unrestrained giving that happens at the Agony Ride.

Thank you to all who sacrificed to be out in the Sierra Valley with us this year and to the thousands of sponsors from all over the world - we continue to be overwhelmed by your generosity.

(To those who were unable to attend the Sunday Service, a recording is available here.) 
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  • About Us
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