Tomorrow is a big day for Orchard!
Here in the US, we are hosting our third annual Roar Run to raise funds to help us continue the work of empowering kids and youth in Zambia. We’re expecting nearly 300 runners to gather early in the morning at Picacho Hills Country Club. We’ll have photos and banners of our Zambian kids and team, allowing us to be together in spirit, even though we’re thousands of miles apart. And for my family and I, it feels like a special honor to invite others to become part of the story that continues to unfold in Chifubu. And it’s a good story.
Meanwhile, several time zones away in Ndola, Zambia, 20 of our Junior and Young Lions will be taking part in the ZAFFICO Marathon events for thesecond year in a row. Jack is running his second full marathon. Some of our other leaders and several Junior Lions will tackle the half marathon, while the rest will run 10Ks. And there’s something special about both events happening on the same day, on opposite sides of the world.
It’s no secret that running is a big deal for us at Orchard. Over the years, has been a a centerpiece of discipleship, and a tool for building strength, endurance, confidence, and character. But mostly it has been about belonging to a team.
We’ve watched boys who could barely finish a few kilometers become young men who now take on marathons. We’ve seen timid kids discover some confidence, and I wish you could see the gathering of runners walking up the road to their starting point in Chifubu. They’re a family…and a force! Everyone in Chifubu knows the running lions!
Running is a “uniqueness” of our ministry, and I am proud of that. There are lots of parallels between a long hard run and a church plant or a Godward life. All require us to begin, even when we’re unsure we can finish. You learn to keep moving when things get tough. Progress is often measured in small, determined steps. Eugene Peterson called that “a long obedience in the same direction!” And you recognize the value of having others running alongside you, encouraging you ever onward!
One registrant of this year’s Roar Run who helps encourage and engage veterans told me, that for his guys, “finish lines are lifelines.” And he’s right. They bring purpose and struggle and accomplishment and joy!
As we run on two continents, on the same day, we feel privileged to lead this charge and so very grateful for everyone who has registered for our Roar Run, and in doing so have given generously to Orchard and the work a world away. We’re committed to continue raising young people who live lives of great faith, and who will have the courage to run toward their calling, take on difficult challenges, lead others, and make a difference in their communities. We also feel so proud of our lions who continue tackling big runs and representing Orchard and Roar Church in a powerful way! And we run to honor Jesus with our lives…
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
- Hebrews 12:1-2
Tomorrow, there will be runs, thousands of miles apart, complete with tired legs, pounding hearts, cheering crowds, and eventually, finish lines. It’s gonna be a big day…
I can’t wait! And I can’t say thank you enough!