SPOKESperson for India: Bishop James Pumps a Sabbatical Brake
by Robyn Florian

$600,000 goal, 2,000 miles total, 60 miles per day, 36 days, 5 riders, 1 sabbatical … not even CBS can produce this reality experience.

What first got rolling on a visit to Wabash Family Camp in mid-2005 is now picking up speed on the roads of India. At the camp Bishop Joseph James, who had tentatively scheduled a late-2006 sabbatical at a time-share on the coast of India, encountered an adventurous Bob Yardy of Champaign FMC (IL), and together they mapped out a whole new sabbatical plan. Even though James had seldom ridden a bike since childhood, Yardy’s plan to pedal through the heart of India to raise awareness and funds for an aging Free Methodist medical facility proved irresistible.

Eighteen months, 3,000 training miles and 30 pounds later, a physically fit James hit the road Dec. 30 with teammates Yardy, Pastor John Hay of West Morris Street FMC (IN) and various riders from India. The 2,000-mile, six-week adventure began in Nagercoil on the southern tip of India and will conclude Feb. 7 in the northern city of New Delhi. India is one of James’ areas of oversight as bishop, and home to one of the fastest growing regions of the Free Methodist Church. Mission work in India dates back 125 years, and with the recent addition of two indigenous Christian groups the Free Methodist presence in India has grown to nearly 1,200 churches.

Umri Christian Hospital, founded in 1922 (its first resident doctor arrived in 1951) has long been meeting medical and spiritual needs in the poor rural area. A consistent effort has been made to present the gospel to patients. Currently staffed solely by indigenous medical personnel, today’s ministries include English and nursing schools. James and his fellow cyclists are riding to help raise the $600,000 needed to refurbish the facility and upgrade its equipment.

The reality is, the road to Umri — and New Delhi — is paved with challenge and risk. In addition to the obvious physical exertion demanded by the ride, the team is braving the inherent dangers of busy Indian traffic and ongoing concerns about religious unrest in the nation. “There are people [in India] who don’t like Americans or Christians — anyone who might come in and change their systems,” says James. In response, the group is being accompanied by a support van and depending on local leaders to keep them abreast of possible safety issues.

James says he is encouraged by the conversations evoked during his training, with the biking community and beyond. He hopes this two-wheeled journey has peaked imagination among those who hear the story and caused a moving — toward the heart of Jesus and opportunities to love the poor, the disenfranchised, the least. James, Canadian born and a pastor’s son with a big heart for the poor, says, “This is the call of the church … the Christian.

“None of us can do everything, but here’s one thing I can do for the kingdom,” he adds. He embraces the opportunity to “spend [himself] in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed … in a sun-scorched land” (Isaiah 58:10-11).

At times God chooses to bless us with a vacation on a beautiful coast, but other times He calls us to ride a bike among the poor. This reality experience may or may not require James, Yardy, Hay and their teammates to eat strange cuisine or master life-threatening bike maneuvers, but the challenge of training, preparation and riding is real. This is leadership. This is the Free Methodist Church.

To follow the bikers’ progress and/or learn more about the Umri Hospital Restoration Project, visit www.bikeindia.org and/or www.bicycleindia2007.blogspot.com.