Three years ago, we launched our first ROAR RUN with a dream to bring people together, have some fun, and raise awareness and support for the children and youth we serve in Ndola, Zambia. On Saturday, October 31, we celebrated our third annual ROAR RUN, and what a day it was! Nearly 360 runners joined us for our biggest event yet! From our youngest participants in the one-mile fun run to our 5K and 10K runners, the energy, enthusiasm, excitement, and joy were incredible. There were families running together, friends side-by-side, and people pushing themselves across the finish line. And I loved every minute of it!
For those who may be new to Lion Living and Orchard Ministries, our work began with a passion to see children and young people in Zambia discover who they are, what they were created for, and what their lives can become. Through our children's programs, youth discipleship, leadership development, running teams, and local church ministry, we're investing in the next generation of young lions. We want young people to grow in faith, rise above their circumstances, run their race with purpose and perseverance, and use their lives to make a difference in the world around them. Through the Roar Run, when hundreds of people gather in Las Cruces to run, they're helping make it possible for children and youth in Ndola to keep running toward a brighter future.
One of the most exciting things about this year's event was seeing our own young runners here in the United States take part in a big way. Through our Heart for the World Youth ministry, I've had the privilege of watching students grow, discover their strengths, overcome obstacles, and learn what it means to live for something bigger than themselves. And so many were a huge part of this year’s Roar Run.
Passion ran her very first 5K! Angelina took home the gold in her age group and made it look easy! She looked like she could have hammered a full marathon and still crossed the finish line smiling! Christian has asthma, but he wasn't about to let that stop him. He told me he knew he needed to push himself and he chose the longest distance we offered…the 10K! I was so proud of that grit and determination. Santi, who finished third overall in the 10K said, “Even when it got hard at times and I wanted to quit I just kept reminding myself that if Jesus went through all the suffering he went through for me, so surely I can go through a little bit of pain for him. Instead of relying on motivation, that fades in and out, I can rely on someone who will last forever and He will give me strength!” Santi’s faith and gratitude carried him all the way to the podium!
Alex was our overall gold medal winner in the men's 5K, and I wish you could have seen him coming down that final stretch! He came FLYING toward the finish line! He looked absolutely exhausted and completely overjoyed. He had given everything he had. I was standing along the finish line path, hooting and hollering as he came in. I was SO proud! And as I watched him, I thought, “that's how I want to get to heaven someday…Exhausted because I left it all on the field and overjoyed because I finished the race, well!“
Running is an amazing gift. It teaches determination, develops discipline, builds endurance, and creates community. It challenges us, stretches us, and helps us become lions.
As we prepare to close out this year and step into 2027, please be sure to keep following us. Let’s all grow, run, and become lions together!
To everyone who made ROAR RUN 2026 such an incredible day, thank you for being part of our story. We are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.
Keep Rising, Running, and Roaring!