WHAT'S A CIRCUIT RIDER?

Circuit Riders are artists of different talent, youth leaders, teachers or anyone with a passion and ability to inspire students. The name comes from a group of people from early American history,  preachers that travelled on horseback to encourage American settlers to believe in God. They started new churches and their stories and hard work are remembered by most Americans.       

In the same way Atlantic Bridge wants to challenge students to rethink the importance of faith and the need to build bridges in our fragmented but technically very well connected world. Circuit Riders do not preach long sermons like they did 200 years ago but they bring inspiring educational and culturally sensitive lessons. Circuit Riders mobilise students to join the Karavaan on its journey to rediscover the faith and values of our forefathers.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS!!

Each Circuit Rider has a lesson plan related to their background and special topci of teaching. For instance: Steve Apirana (see below) has a lesson on the Maori culture that can be adjusted for a variety of lessons from English to Social Science to Music and Art or Religion. Rob Demaggio asks students to read the book he teaches before he comes. A list of questions helps students to think about the book before Rob does the lesson.

Tours of Circuit Riders usually take place in the fall of each year, but in 2012 we are planning tours of several Circuit Riders also in the spring and summer. 2012 will be the YEAR OF THE CIRCUIT RIDERS and the list below are some of the people who will be on tour.

Below is a list of Circuit Riders on tour in 2012. Their schedules will be offered on this page at the beginning of 2012. For now we have a brief description of the background and sp[ecial talent of each of these Circuit Riders. Each Circuit Rider is given a special name to be used in a graphic novel we are preparing.     

LIST OF CIRCUIT RIDERS 

1) Puzzleman Dennis

Dennis is a pastor of a small church in Connecticut USA. The many tattoo's on his body betray a different lifestyle.

But we did not call him the TATTOO MAN because Dennis has become a specialist in puzzles. Especially the human puzzle. .

In October 2010 he rode again bringing the good news that everything in life does not always remain a puzzle.

2) Firefly Freddie Kofi (Nottingham, UK; pictured, left).

Why would we call someone a firefly? Freddie is an inspiration and wants to be. I don't know anyone who is more vocal and expressive in showing his love for his wife and children. While on tour he will call home - even between lessons - to find out details of what his family is doing. Freddie is in love with the whole human race and sings about it.

3) ‘Broadway’ Bruce Kuhn (USA), Bruce Kuhn once performed on Broadway (Les Miserables) but now tours The Gospel of Luke. In the classrooms he engages and amuses students with stories of cultural mishaps and of his life as an actor in New York City. 

In November 2011 Bruce is part of Cross Cutlural team going to schools in eastern Germany and the Czech Republic

  4) Rob Demaggio (grew up in The Bronx (NY City) now lives in Suffern (New York)

He teaches English literature at Suffern High School. Before that he taught in a high school in the Bronx. And before that he was a pastor of a church in New City. In 2010 he came to The Netherlands to teach Mitch Albom's novel "Five People You Meet in Heaven". In April 2011 he came back teaching the same book. This time he brought a student. And, yes, he is planning to come again in 2012!

5) Wonder Voice Qian Ye (ShangHai, China)

 She was born in Shang Hai but our AB scouts discovered her in the Clarkstown Reformed church in New York. How can such a giant voice come from such a small body?  Qian Ye means adventure, determination and fear of nothing. In Moscow, after a Masters degree in opera from the Moscow Conservatory, she discovered a new life and found her way to Nyack College to learn about the Christian faith and learn to communicate it. Wondervoice is the name we initially give this Circuit Rider, but she may find another before she starts her first Circuit.

6) Gentle Giant Steve Apirana (originally a Maori from New Zeeland, but now living in Australia) 

Steve plays the blues from the lands down under. He says he is the ugliest man on earth but God made him beautiful. Who dares to agree with him? He is a gentle giant and it is amazing how he can play such a delicate guitar with such a big hand. When he was young other students would always pester him. He knows what it is like to be from down under. This gentle giant inspires students to evaluate who they are and where they are going. He gets a standing ovations from large crowds but loves to share his music and stories of down under in the class room or for a circle of friends.  

After several years Steve is looking to come back to Europe in the summer of 2012.