ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network) – In 2008, a Mennonite Voluntary Service participant answered the questions on the minds of many nonprofit organizations. How does an organization get the millennial generation involved?
Ryan Iafigliola, an MVS participant in 2007, had an answer that paired bicycles with his business finance degree. Now in its seventh year, The Fuller Center Bike Adventure covers 3,600 miles and attracts about 80 participants each year. The average age of riders is 39, but half are under age 30. Riders hope to raise their millionth dollar for the Bike Adventure in the summer of 2014.
The Fuller Center Bike Adventure carries news of their work—and God’s love—across the country, from Atlantic City (N.J.) to Astoria (Ore.). Bikers can ride the entire way, or a portion of the trip. During the trip, riders raise funds and help build seven houses.
Download full-resolution image.Most people think that biking cross-country is the best part, said Iafigliola. But to him, “the rewarding part is the community along the way.”
“I still keep in touch with riders from previous years,” said Allen Slabaugh, who succeeded Iafigliola in leading the Bike Adventure. Slabaugh studied business administration and sports management and served with MVS from 2009-2011.
Even after their MVS experience, the two former MVSers work closely together as administrators at the Fuller Center. Currently, as the director of International Field Operations, Iafigliola oversees how donations are invested in communities around the world, through building homes. After he sets up the international programming, Slabaugh, now the Global Builders coordinator, organizes teams to build houses side-by-side with families who later re-pay the building cost. Slabaugh thanks his service placement for the hands-on learning experiences in marketing, social media, recruitment, and leadership skills.
Slabaugh was grateful he participated in MVS because he not only got career experience and AmeriCorp funding for college and graduate school, he also got to combine his work and his faith.
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.
