In 2017 Robert de Berry celebrated his 75th birthday by doing a sponsored bike ride for CSW and Release International. He tells us in his own words how it went...
It was a journey of 920 miles, total ascents of 47,000 feet, and times of prayer in 34 different churches. Three of us cycled the whole way and another 25 joined us for different sections of the route and differing amounts of time. From Cape Wrath in the far north-west of Scotland with an opening service in the Church of Scotland in Kinolochbervie and starting on 16 May, we finished at the Evangelical Church in Peacehaven on the south coast on 16 June. Numbers praying with us varied – in some places single figures; in others up to 50. We had backing from people who drove their cars to carry luggage, provided refreshments and stood at vital junctions to keep us on track. In all our places for prayer, we were hosted magnificently with the provision of evening meals, beds and breakfast.
Prayer and planning for this ‘pilgrimage’ began in early 2016. With the help of CSW Ambassadors and those representing Release in different churches, it became possible to map out a route. Some churches which hosted us were previously unaware of CSW/Release, but many already had some connection. Christian numbers in the UK are in decline and congregations are ageing, but by visiting and praying for Christians in churches denominationally so diverse, we encountered so much Christian vigour.
The Holy Spirit of God is doing great things in the UK. In Hyson Green in Nottingham, for instance, half those coming to pray with us were new Christians from an Iranian background. In Bolton, the work of CSW was testified to by a Pakistani family, who, having fled from safe house to safe house and across international boundaries, expressed deep gratitude to CSW. Showing their appreciation, they provided all the refreshments after the Sunday morning service. Not only that, but we encountered many deeply prayerful Christians, who with watchfulness and concern are daily praying for those who suffer so much for Christ.
Angels riding with us
Those of us who biked are thankful for our total safety and health. We had two and a half days of bad weather; the rest of the time the weather was perfect for cycling. It often happened that someone who had been with us in prayer in the evening would ride with us on the following day. These angels kept re-appearing, and were of enormous help as they steered us to smaller and safer roads and got us through a maze of streets.
Sponsored events for charities are now multi-million pound enterprises, but I felt the Spirit of God urging me to make this more than a fundraising event. Through sponsorship a large amount of money was raised – at the time of writing, £54,000 to be divided between CSW and Release International – but the overwhelming request from Christians suffering for their faith is that we who live so comfortably spend time praying for them.
The money raised is, of course, wonderful, and we are thankful to the hundreds of sponsors who got behind us; but the best legacy I could hope for from this bike ride would be increasing numbers of Christians responding long-term in prayer – informed prayer using the information put out by CSW and Release.
Thanks above all to God, who guided and blessed all of us on our way, and thanks to the CSW staff and Ambassadors. Without you and your fellow-workers at Release, none of this would have happened.