First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland’s “Pedal Power Bicycle Ministry” celebrated its grand re-opening on Saturday, months after a theft forced the ministry to temporarily shut down.

The ministry’s volunteers restore donated bikes and give them to kids and people who depend on bicycles for transportation free of charge.

The grand re-opening comes after thieves attempted to shut down the ministry.

The ministry’s founder, Ted Hogan, said back in May of this year someone stole thousands of dollars worth of tools from the ministry’s shed, located outside the church.

Hogan said the incident eventually turned out to be a blessing. It led to the ministry receiving a much larger space inside the church, as well as donations from people across the Tampa Bay area.

“We have been so blessed," said Hogan. "Now, we’re inside the church under the church’s security system. We’re working in air conditioning, with LED lights, and it is just a phenomenal day.”

Hogan went on to say currently the ministry has about 120 bikes that are ready to handed out to someone in need. They also have 150 bikes that volunteers are working to restore.