DETERMINED Cycling Tour

Cyclists will complete 800-mile ride near Dallas

September 23, 2021

The Grand Finale will be at North Dallas Adventist Academy (2800 Custer Pkwy, Richardson, Texas) around noon on September 24, 2021, where cyclists will visit with students, staff and community members to share their stories. All are welcome to attend.

Texas Conference President Elton DeMoraes looks forward to meeting them at the finish line after seeing them take off on September 12, 2021, in McAllen, Texas. “I couldn’t be more proud of how our team and members have worked together to raise awareness and funds to help our young people,” DeMoraes shared.

With a phase one goal of $150,000 toward a $1.5 million Texas Conference Adventist Education endowment, the DETERMINED campaign was just above $90,000 by Thursday morning, September 23, 2021. The endowment would provide financial assistance to anyone desiring to have a Christian education at a school within the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

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This is the fifth time, for several, embarking on these rides, but the first time it is two weeks. Normally, the rides were only one week. The cyclists are DETERMINED, the theme of the event, to promote health and awareness for Seventh-day Adventist education.

Former marine in security forces, Kenn Dixon, organized these cycling tours. Due to injuries sustained while in active duty, he was limited to the exercises he could perform to maintain his physical health. Eventually, cycling became his main option so it was only natural when someone recommended creating a cycling tour.

Antonio Correa, one of the pastors at the McAllen Spanish Valley Central Seventh-day Adventist Church in McAllen, Texas, is joining the ride for the first time. Interested in participating, he was overwhelmed by the generosity when someone offered to purchase a bike for him and then cover the suggested $3,000 goal for cyclists to raise to cover expenses and support the Seventh-day Adventist education endowment.

“If we can cover our expenses,” Dixon said. “the proceeds will go to help young people who need it.”

Joining the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as vice president for Communication & Public Relations in the summer of 2019 around the same time Kisha Norris was elected Texas Conference vice president for Education, the seed was planted for Dixon to create a cycling tour in Texas as Norris had assisted him with previous cycling tours.

“If it helps our young people, I am all in,” Norris stated. “My mother was DETERMINED to see that I had an Adventist education, so I am honored to be able to help others.”

The money before, during and after the tour will be combined to establish an endowment fund giving students who couldn’t otherwise afford it an opportunity to attend a Seventh-day Adventist school within the Texas Conference. Some members have included this endowment in their will to leave a lasting legacy for Adventist education.

“I couldn’t be more proud of how our team and members have worked together to raise awareness and funds to help our young people,” Elton DeMoraes, Texas Conference president, shared. “I was privileged to join them for their kick-off weekend events and seeing the cyclists take off on Sunday.”

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Tamara Michalenko Terry is an associate director for Texas Conference Communication & Public Relations. She walked more than 800 miles prior to the event to support and fundraise for the DETERMINED campaign. For the first time, on-your-own options to walk, run or ride were provided for those who wanted to participant but not able to join the official DETERMINED cycling tour. Find sign up options here.