+- Radix Fidem (https://radixfidem.org)
+-- Forum: Discussion (https://radixfidem.org/forum-8.html)
+--- Forum: Prayer Requests (https://radixfidem.org/forum-10.html)
+--- Thread: Another Project Idea (/thread-1355.html)
Another Project Idea - Ed Hurst - 10-27-2023
Brothers and Sisters: Over the past week or so, an idea has grown in my mind and heart. Instead of just riding around the state and bikepacking, do you suppose I could make it a project of visiting with people and interviewing them about their faith, so I could write it up on a blog?
Here’s the theme: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith?” I plan to answer that in the affirmative.
I’m thinking I can start contacting churches in a target small town, something about a full day’s ride somewhere, and asking them to identify someone who would testify of their individual faith, such that it carried them through some difficulty. Maybe more than one person. Then, hopefully, instead of having to lug around camping gear, I could persuade them to put me up overnight. That way I could travel light, and ride in colder weather than I might otherwise want to handle.
As you might expect, the toughest part of this would be the first one. At that point, I won’t have anything I can point to, so whomever I contact via a “cold call” (email, actually) would have to be receptive to the idea. Once I’ve got a few stories up, it would be easier to point to an established body of work to lend credibility to my subsequent requests.
I would avoid passing the hat, of course, and just accept whatever they might offer. Naturally, there would be no hint of challenging their church doctrine, just some talk about faith itself.
I’ve had a rather strong urging about trusting the Lord to work through His children to provide for my needs, as happened on my one previous attempt at bikepacking several years ago. Someone offered to let me sit in their restaurant until sunrise with a cup of hot herbal tea. The Lord has made that single moment from the whole trip rather prominent in my memory.
It would mean training a good bit before trying such a trip again. I’ve already started on that. Naturally, I’ll be taking pictures along the way of whatever interesting things I see. But instead of focusing on camping spots, I would select targets based on simply a day’s ride in distance, whatever direction I go. If this takes off, I’ll bundle up longer trips of multiple days.
Pray with me. I’d really love to interview random Christians about their faith and convictions. I think it would be a real blessing to write those stories and publish them. I’m thinking I’ll start another Substack blog just for this project; it would be more accessible to a wider audience.
RE: Another Project Idea - jaybreak - 10-28-2023
Great idea! I will pray alongside you about this.
Were you considering posting audio/video of the interviews, or would it just be a transcription?
RE: Another Project Idea - forrealone - 10-28-2023
Wow! That sounds pretty amazing. I am all in on the prayer team!
May our Lord, Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, intercede in this matter for you. May He grant you wisdom and discernment. May He grant us all that same wisdom to help you in determining the path you should travel if it is in His will that you should go. May He make a way open to provide you with whatever resources you may need to go down that path. May He open hearts of believers in agreement and surrender to this mission by being inviting to you in welcoming you into their church/town/family/home. Father, we lay this in Your Hands.
Amen.
RE: Another Project Idea - Ed Hurst - 10-28-2023
Jay, I would opt for just writing it as stories of faith. My experience is that too many people feel intimidated by video cameras. Moreover, I have no experience and no expertise in shooting and editing. Indeed, no equipment for either. I'd need someone else to handle all of that, and that would be a little clumsy on bikes, and cycling to these appointments is half the purpose.
RE: Another Project Idea - forrealone - 10-28-2023
My humble opinion only:
Reading another person's experience allows the reader to soak in the words, chew/ponder on them and visualize that person and their experience. A video goes fast and to have to pause and rewind, etc, especially if it is "heavy" would be kind of a pain (for me). I SO love to read. When I read the many adventures in the Bible - watching a video rendition of it at times provides some other insights that my mind did not catch from the "read", but for me reading is the best way for me to learn/understand/absorb.
But, there are many times there is no "readable" version, so I can see that aspect as well.
Because you are a good writer (not a compliment, Ed; a fact) and because you have the gift to write words that speak and, again imho, accurately (to the extent humanly possible) describe what another may say, I have no doubt that with the Lord's guidance, the stories will be uplifting.
To God be the Glory in this all.
RE: Another Project Idea - davew9804 - 10-28-2023
Your idea/project certainly has great merit. Allowing the Lord to direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6) should yield some blessings along your journey for you and those you will interact with. My prayers are with you!!
RE: Another Project Idea - Ed Hurst - 10-28-2023
Thanks for all the support. The first part is waiting until I can reliably do 50+ miles, and then we need stretches of cooperative weather. Once I see good weather coming, I'll start trying to contact churches in communities I think I can get to in a day.