On February 26th, 2026 we gathered at Crosspoint Christian Church in Cape Coral, FL for the Ends of the Earth Cycling 50-State Celebration Gala, a banquet of celebration of fourteen years of riding through all fifty states and raising more than $1.7 million for Christian Youth Ministries around the world. Even typing that still feels a little surreal.

290 people attend the 50-State Celebration Gala! It was a sold out event.

But the numbers, as amazing as they are, were not the thing that overwhelmed me.

The people were.

Walking into the room felt like stepping into a family reunion I did not know I needed. There were people I had served with once in Arizona, others I had met on a climb somewhere in Hawaii, or on the open road of the Natchez Trace Parkway years ago. Yet, the moment our eyes met across the room, it was pure joy. Hug after hug, laughter after laughter, stories picking up exactly where they had left off.

Honestly, it made me think: this must be what heaven will feel like.

The Bible gives us a glimpse of that beautiful picture:

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9

A multitude. Brothers and sisters gathered together. Joy layered upon joy.

That is what Gala night felt like.

There was this wonderful anticipation all evening as I spotted someone across the room and thought, “Oh my goodness, I have not seen them in years!” Then came the big hug, the laughing, and the “Do you remember that climb, or that God Stop along the way when we witnessed to the man who has lost his wife, it made that 16th flat [bicycle tire] not that big of a deal at all.” Hugging the necks of people I had not seen in so long was such a spirit-lifter.

It made me imagine what it must have felt like for Paul, Peter, and the other apostles when they returned to churches they had planted , reuniting with believers they loved dearly after time apart.

Paul wrote something that captures that feeling perfectly:

“But brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.” 1 Thessalonians 2:17

There is something sacred about reuniting with people who share the same faith, the same mission, and the same love for Christ.

And of course, what is a celebration without food? We broke bread together, old friends and brand-new ones. Conversations flowed easily because, in Christ, there really is no such thing as a stranger. Just a brother or sister you haven’t met yet.

I am fairly certain the early church understood this well:

“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” Acts 2:46

The entire evening was filled with stories from the road, testimonies of what God has done through this ministry, and a shared sense of awe. Fourteen years. Fifty states. And Young lives across the globe being impacted for Christ.

In moments like that, the bigger picture becomes crystal clear. We may come from different states, churches, and backgrounds, but we ride, and live, for one purpose: To make Christ Known to the ends of the earth.

“As a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12

One body. One mission.

And let’s be honest, cyclists know a thing or two about unity. After all, when you have spent eight hours pedaling in a peloton into a headwind together, you either become family… or at least, very polite sufferers in solidarity.

Someone said it best: celebrating fourteen years of cycling felt a little strange because cyclists are usually happiest on two wheels, not off them. But for one night, we parked the bikes, traded helmets for hugs, and celebrated what God has done.

And my heart left that room so full.

Full of gratitude.

Full of hope.

As we start the fifteenth year, we are deeply reminded that when we #PrayPedalRepeat or #PrayServeRepeat and then go our separate ways, and continue to live for Christ, we are never really separated for long.

One day we will gather again, the ultimate reunion ride, where every tribe, tongue, and nation will celebrate together in the presence of the King!

Now that is a finish line worth pedaling toward.

Yours in Christ,
Paula Greve

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