By Pastor Antonee Leo Aguilar
One of my passions in life is going out in nature—smelling the fresh air, riding my bike, and connecting with people while meditating on the goodness of God. I especially enjoy riding my bike—or honestly, anything with two wheels!
A year ago, before moving to Michigan, I spent time exploring mountain bike trails near the church I pastored in Sandy, Oregon. One day, while riding the Sandy Ridge Trail System [1]—just 13 miles from Sandy SDA Church—an unexpected challenge gave me a powerful lesson about community and unity.
That evening, after doing some in-depth research, I downloaded a 30+ mile route on my TrailForks app [2] and mapped out a ride that included long climbs and technical downhills. After planning it all, I prayed, got excited, and went to bed ready for adventure.
The next morning came, and I was ready for adventure. I loaded my bike and drove to the trail. Usually, before each ride, I go through a full check: brakes, seat post, tires, chain, pedals, shoes—tightening and testing every part to make sure everything’s working correctly. But this time, in my excitement to get out there, I skipped the usual prep.
I unloaded my bike and hit the first climb. As I pushed up a steep 17% hill, trying to catch my breath, I noticed something was off. I shifted gears—nothing. My rear derailleur [3] wasn’t responding. That’s when it hit me: the battery powering my gear system was dead. And my derailleur? Completely dependent on that battery.
Just like that, my ride was over—only five minutes in. I was disappointed. I had everything mapped out. I was ready. But I wasn’t prepared.
Still motivated to make the most of the day, I plugged the battery into the outlet in my car to charge it. As I waited, I sat there looking at my bike. And that’s when the Holy Spirit used that moment to teach me a deeper lesson—one about unity and the church.
It only took one small malfunctioning part to disrupt the entire ride. One battery. One overlooked component. And in that moment, it clicked: just like my bike, the church relies on every single part. Every single person.
The Apostle Paul’s words came to mind: “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” —Romans 12:4–5 (NKJV)
Just like a bike can’t function without its chain, tires, brakes, and handlebars, the church can’t function the way God designed it to without you. Every member has a role. Every part matters. Paul echoed this again in his letter to the believers in Ephesus: “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” —Ephesians 4:16 (NKJV)
As I sat there waiting for that tiny battery to charge, I saw the big picture. God was reminding me that church is not about personal achievements or individual talents—it’s about coming together. It’s about unity in the Spirit, using our God-given gifts together to fulfill the mission He has given us.
Even Ellen White writes: “God gives people special talents/gifts to advance various aspects of His work… Each member should focus on contributing to the health and welfare of the entire body. God’s plan is cooperation and unity, not consolidation, rivalry, or criticism.” —Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 7, p. 174
That day, God taught me this simple but profound truth: every component is important. The same is true in our church. Whether you're a child in Sabbath School, a greeter at the door, a musician, a prayer warrior, a teacher, a deacon, or simply a quiet encourager—you are essential.
As your pastor, I may be the “handlebar” in this metaphor. But a handlebar is useless without wheels to roll, a chain to turn, or brakes to guide. I need you. We need each other. And our church family needs every part working together as we await Jesus’ soon return.
Let us move forward in prayer and unity, embracing the mission of spreading the everlasting gospel in the context of the Three Angels' Messages. Let’s serve together, support one another, and never forget: You are important to Christ’s body. You are vital to our church family.
YOU. ARE. PART. OF. US.
[1] The Sandy Ridge Trail System is one of the crown jewels in the Pacific Northwest. More than 125,000 mountain bikers visit annually, which is excellent for any biking enthusiast; featuring flowing loops, technical downhill sections, and climbs that will test your endurance and stamina.
[2] Trailforks is a trail database & map with over 650,000 trails worldwide.
[3] A rear derailleur is a bicycle component and part of the drivetrain. It is a mechanism used to move the chain from one sprocket to another, allowing the cyclist to change the gear ratio of a bike.