Youth and Discipleship Pioneering New Program to Benefit Orphans
The Church of God International Youth & Discipleship Department is pioneering a new ministry that uses “Charity Runs” as a way to help churches impact orphans without taking money out of the local church.
This new endeavor is called the “ORPHAN RUN 4 HOPE PROJECT”. It empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things by participating in a charity run (5K, half or full marathon) to help provide for the needs of orphan children around the world.
The heart of this effort comes from the International Youth & Discipleship Director, Gary Lewis, and the International Assistant Youth & Discipleship Director David Blair. It is their desire to touch the lives of children around the world. By participating in a charity run with Orphan Run 4 Hope Project, participants help live out what God calls pure ministry in James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”
Youth Missions Coordinator Mark Swank is heading up the Orphan Run 4 Hope Project and offered several advantages of the initiative and how the new strategy benefits local churches.
It MOBILIZES churches to support orphans without drawing from their church budget.
“In the current extended season of economic challenges, Orphan Run 4 Hope Project does not use typical means of supporting mission projects,” Swank said. “There are no offerings or pledges. Instead it uses the relational currency of co-workers, neighbors, friends, family, and local businesses to generate donations. By targeting funds outside the church, it does not take money from a church’s budget or missions budget. All contributions come from outside of the church and donations are done simply and electronically through a secure website.”
It CREATES community while empowering participants to do something significant.
“Runners and non-runners alike will experience the motivational power of a cause greater than themselves that motivates them to accomplish the goal,” Swank continued. “They will see first-hand how they can impact the world for Christ in a significant way. As they train for the event, participants become a team and develop authentic community as they strive toward the goal of completing the race and raising funds to provide for the specific needs of Orphans. For many of the people who have never done a race, the process is a physical journey to get in better shape as well as a spiritual journey to accomplish something that adds health to their lifestyle. The feeling of accomplishment from starting and completing the journey makes a significant impact on participants and orphan children.”
It EMPOWERS Church people to do something for Christ by tapping into their relational network.
According to Swank, each person uses their God given relationships at work, with neighbors, friends and family members for the pure cause of financially helping orphans. The money raised helps rescue and provide care for orphan children. Participants will have their own webpage to invite people to support them in the quest.
It EXPOSES businesses and Individuals to church, a worthy missions project and Jesus’ love.
“This innovative charity run is a great community outreach tool to gain church exposure in their community,” Swank continued. “As participating people from partnering churches start asking co-workers and friends to get involved, it highlights how their church is engaged in a worthy cause. Also, participation is not limited to church members. Participants are encouraged to invite co-workers and friends to run in the event. It is a great time to develop relationships with people that do not know Jesus and help them understand His love.”
It INCREASES volunteerism through contagious, active people
Swank summed up the project by stating that, the running participants become part of a team that train together and discover the joy of active participation. Once a person taps into how they can make a significant impact in God’s Kingdom… they want to serve more and gather others to join.”
The “Orphan Run 4 Hope Project” is a creative way to raise funds outside the Church and touch the lives of Orphan Children around the world. For more information contact the Youth Missions Coordinator, Mark Swank at 423.478.7105 or [email protected].
