20,000 people   — and counting — have been inspired and transformed by the action of a cyclist, Philip Reekie.

Philip cycled to a farm near the small town of Eugowra, New South Wales, Australia. Unbeknown to Philip, the family on this farm was heartbroken. Tom Kent’s wife, Mary, had just lost her battle with pneumonia. Tom was in despair while struggling to take care of their eleven children.

Just before she died, Mary asked Tom to promise that he would meet her in heaven — and bring the children with him. Tom promised Mary. Now, with tears in his eyes, he looked for a Bible to see how he could keep his promise. That’s when Philip met Tom. But let’s back up — who was Philip?

Philip Ainslie Reekie was born in Scotland in 1846. In 1888, widowed and divorced, he emigrated from Scotland to Australia, looking for a new life. It didn’t take him long to find it! In 1889, he stumbled on some Christian literature, discovered the amazing truths of the Bible, and encountered the real Jesus of Nazareth. He not only found a new country, he also found a new reason to live.

Philip now wanted to spread hope. He left his work as an engraver because he wanted God’s Word to be engraved upon hearts. On dusty outback roads, through dry monotonous terrain, and under a merciless hot Australian sun, he rode a bicycle many miles, distributing hope-filled Christian literature. One day he saw a farmer ploughing a field, a man strong in physique but broken in spirit. It was Tom Kent.

The greatest need in the world is the transformation of human nature. We need a new heart that will not have lust and greed and hate in it. We need a heart filled with love and peace and joy, and that is why Jesus came into the world.

—Billy Graham

Philip listened to Tom’s story of heartbreak, saw his condition of pain, and heard of Mary’s dying hope. Philip shared with Tom the Christian book, The Great Controversy. Tom wrestled with the biblical truths he saw, and after careful study, he accepted the biblical teachings. His new discoveries from the Bible gave Tom the deep comfort that he needed and the amazing assurance that he wanted. He shared his discoveries with his children and neighbours. His children and five neighbouring families became believers and followers of Jesus. It was then that Tom knew he could keep his promise to his wife.

Fast-forward from 1896 to the present day, and this remarkable story continues. When you add the descendants of Tom and the other five families to the numbers of people these descendants have introduced to Christianity—there are more than 20,000! That’s 20,000 lives that a faith-filled guy on a bicycle and a farmer have impacted by sharing a good book with family and neighbours.