A positive cycle
CHAIN REACTION MINISTRY GIVES AWAY 2,000TH BIKE
The Chain Reaction ministry at Restoration Church at the Dome makes a habit of giving things away.
In fact, distributing free refurbished bicycles is the premise of the ministry that provides transportation to the homeless and others in need.
Chain Reaction recently gave away its 2,000th bicycle, said the Rev. John Malget, one of the co-pastors at the church, formerly First Christian Church of Oklahoma City, 3700 N Walker.
Malget and Chain Reaction coordinator Larry Batton said the bicycle that marked the major milestone was given to a woman who called the church in need of a way to get to work at a fast-food restaurant.
“She had been walking to her new job, and now she’s not walking anymore,” Batton said.
Malget created the ministry in 2013 based on a program by the same name that was an affiliate of his former church in Houston.
The minister said he had lofty dreams for Chain Reaction when it started, but he didn’t realize how much it would be needed or how well the community would embrace it.
“When we first started this endeavor, I was hoping we would give away 100 bicycles that first year, and everyone thought my number was too high,” Malget said. “God had other plans. We gave away more than 700 that first year.”
Batton said the ministry gives out an average of 90 bicycles each month and is on track to distribute 400 to 500 more by the end of the year.
Life-changing chains
He said Chain Reaction could use additional volunteers to help refurbish the used bicycles that are donated to the ministry.
Batton said it’s also important to note that donations of more adult bicycles are needed.
He said the ministry accepts and distributes children’s bicycles but currently needs bicycles for adults.
“This would not have happened if it had not been for the hundreds of people who have donated bikes,” he said of the recent milestone.
“Those are the people who have changed lives.”