In 2009, a group of Baptist pastors, church staff and Western District Baptist Association members in Tennessee started a relay marathon called “Run, Preacher! Run” to help support Tomorrow’s Hope Pregnancy Center, a local ministry in Paris, Tennessee. On September 10, 2010, the group got together again for the second annual run.
This year’s marathon stretched over 30 miles, from western Carroll County to northeastern Stewart County. The race group grew from nine participants in 2009 to 14 participants this year. The runners worked as a team to share the distance, using a baby bottle as the baton. Each ran approximately 2.1 miles, although some braved the full 30 miles!
The local Baptist churches and association, as well as pastors and staff from across the counties, have donated to support the pregnancy center. Tomorrow’s Hope has welcomed the fundraising dollars with open arms and gracious hearts. Part of the North American Mission Board and a Mission Service Corps organization, Tomorrow’s Hope serves as a place of hope for those who are pregnant or may be pregnant.
Not only are the runners benefiting from the exercise, they are also changing the image of a Baptist pastor. “It’s always good when a Baptist can put down the banana pudding and walk,” shares Mike Waddey, pastor of Cottage Grove Baptist Church. Mike and two friends, who also run, thought of the idea for this event.
“The pastors in the area know they don’t exercise and are not as active as they need to be,” states Waddey. Run, Preacher! Run has introduced them to wellness and has stirred excitement to start living a healthier life. When the runners started practicing and training for the event, they set a goal of 2.1 miles and faced the challenge head on. They now run on a regular basis and act as accountability partners.
The event was a low-cost operation and the only expense was t-shirts for runners. Wellness events just like this can take place in your community. What low-cost wellness ideas could you spearhead to encourage exercise and healthy living in your church and throughout the community?
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