Running for Orphans

Our MarathOn a Mission team wishes to express our gratitude to all who have supported us with prayer and encouragement as we've trained for the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon!

We are ready to go and very excited to get going...the physical training is done, and now we are working through the equally difficult mental part--getting psyched up to run (gulp) 26.2 miles as fast as we can.

Our guiding text throughout this endeavor has been 1 Timothy 4:8--"For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

We understand that there are direct parallels between physical training and the life of discipleship, following the path of Jesus Christ. We seek to glorify Him as we train, race, and live.

Added incentive for our participation in this event has been to raise funds for a fledgling ministry here at Faith Community Church--to date we have raised several thousand dollars to establish an orphan-care ministry. God has a special view of orphans and commands His people to care for them (Exodus 22:22-23; Deuteronomy 14:29, 24:19; Psalm 10:14, 68:5; James 1:27). This orphan-care ministry at FCC will focus on adoption, foster care, and sponsorship. Stay tuned for more information...God is doing great things at FCC in leading His people to care for the fatherless!

As we look forward to race weekend, there are several ways in which you can contribute to this cause right now:

1. Pray for all who will be running this weekend (44,000 athletes!);

2. Cheer for the athletes--at church, at home, or at the course. FCC will have camps at both ends of the course--a) at Moody Bible Institute (820 N. LaSalle) to catch runners at miles 3.5 & 11.5 (parking at Moody is $10 on race day); and b) 35th Street on the southside (mile 23.5). Contact Ben Rowe for more information regarding the north end, and either Julie Else or Mike Horyn for more information regarding the south end.

3. Style--we have MarathOn a Mission shirts available for purchase ($10) to wear at worship and/or at the race. Show your support of MarathOn a Mission now and in the weeks to come! The shirts will be available on Saturday morning (Fall Clean-up Day) and on Sunday.
4. Give--your donation will support orphan sponsorship, foster care training, and adoption through Faith Community Church. Make your tax-deductible donation here.

Lastly, we ask that you would consider being a part of the MarathOn a Mission team for future events--perhaps running the 2012 Chicago Marathon?!!!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Soli Deo Gloria,

The MarathOn a Mission Team--Jon Davis, Travis Else, Emily Rowe, Beth Taylor, and Mark Wright