The 1More Tour Comes Home

By Abbey Shoemaker
CIU Student Writer

A group of Columbia International University students, faculty, and staff gathered in CIU's Moore Fitness Center to celebrate the end of the 1More Tour and hear stories from the riders' 1,800 mile bicycle trip up the East Coast. The resounding theme from the cyclists' testimonies was God's provision, evidenced in various circumstances along the journey.

The purpose of the 1More Tour was to recruit potential CIU students, reconnect with 1More CIU alumnus, and share the love of Christ with 1More person. The 1More Tour riders featured four CIU students and one CIU alumnus: Matthew Densky, Jeremy Rife, Drew Williams and brothers Izzy and Grayson Markle. CIU Director of Recruitment and Relations, Michelle MacGregor made the trip in a van as tour coordinator.

At the 1More Tour celebration, the group shared stories from their summer adventure - God's provision being the obvious highlight.

"The Lord protected us and provided us with several unexpected places to stay," Densky said.

"Connections were made ... as a result of God-ordained meetings," Williams added. "He prepared people all along the way."

Grayson Markle, a recent CIU alumnus, says his most memorable interactions were with alumni whose lives are an inspiration to him.

"They all come from different walks of life, but have one thing in common - they serve God in whatever they are doing," Grayson said.

Grayson's younger brother Izzy was also impressed with the CIU alumni he met along the way.

"God allowed us to interact with alumni who are doing such different things, but who all share a common passion for the Lord, much like the passion of current CIU students," Izzy said.

The 1More Tour began June 7 in Fernandina Beach, Fla. and ended in Portland, Maine on July 27.

"God blessed us and ... we blessed others," Williams said.

To view photos taken during the 1More Tour visit the CIU Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36922281@N05/