Monterey Man bikes Cross-Country for Persecuted Christians

Jim Sterner Sr. started biking cross-country to bring awareness for persecuted Christians and injured veterans.

Sixty-one-year-old Sterner embarked on the journey April 11.

“I’m interested in getting the word out about Christians being persecuted around the globe, especially in communist countries and Arab countries,” Sterner said. “And If I can get the word out, that is my intention. I’m doing it for Door of Hope International. I’m also doing it for Semper Fi Fund.”

Door of Hope International advocates for persecuted Christians worldwide. Semper Fi Fund helps injured veterans from the Irag War onward.

So far on the journey, Sterner said he has faced a good amount of hardships.

“Some of the hills that go up are too steep and too long. Otherwise its been a real learning experience,” Sterner said. “I’ve been welcomed fairly well in most places I’ve been. There are a few people that stand out on the journey so far.”

Sterner said he relies on the kindness of local churches and individuals along the way. Weather also affects Sterner’s travel. Sterner stayed in a church four days because of the rain, Sterner said.

On Friday, Sterner made it to Commerce, Georgia. Sterner said his next stop is Crawford.

“I’m going down to Brunswick, Georgia because I want to put my foot in the Atlantic.  Then I’m going to head West. As I go west, I want to stop there and put my foot in the gulf,” Sterner said. “From there I want to go to Delmont, California and put my foot in the Pacific. And then on the way back, I’ll get to the Eastern part of New Mexico and move north up to the Canadian border and then back home.”

Sterner said he hopes to be back in Monterey by the first of October.

Upon arriving in Commerce, Sterner said he went to a Walmart to pick up a few things. While there, Sterner met a local woman.

“I was chatting with her, she’s a Christian, and she used to ride a bike. I told her she could do it again,” Sterner said. “She said, ‘No I’m too old.’ I said, ‘No, you’re not.’ I told her what I was doing and it’s encouraging to meet people like that.”

To follow Sterner’s journey, follow his Facebook page at James Sterner Sr.

For more information on his mission, visit Door of Hope International’s website and the Semper Fi Fund’s website.