Many people have questions about the idea of an extreme faith promise in the name of missions. Here are some explanations...
- To develop a higher goal for your life by establishing a core value of ‘constant forward motion’.
- To embrace the challenges of life
- To empower you to keep pressing onward by overcoming the things which confront you, and forgetting the things that are behind you.
Who can and should participate?
Anyone who can move. This includes you.
How do I participate?
There are two parts of this program. One is geared toward those beginning an exercise program or beginning a greater awareness of the missions field. The next part is geared toward those ready to use their constant foward motion to raise money for missions projects. In 2008, we will use our logged miles to pray for our missionaries and their mission fields across the country and across the world.
Missional Movement
As you exercise, log your minutes or miles. As a church community, we will add up all of our miles and "travel" across the country. First we are heading across the country to the West Coast and then on to the Phillipines.
How to tally your miles:
If you are running/walking or biking, simply log your miles. There are calendars in the back of the church to help you with this.
If you are doing another form of exercise—lifting weights, aerobics, etc., use this formula: 10 minutes of exercise = one mile.
- If you exercise while somehow carrying a child (stroller, bike trailer, backpack, etc), double your miles or points. For example, If you walk one mile with 1 child, you get 2 miles. If you have two children, triple your miles.
- If you are exercising with health limitations, triple all your miles or points.
- If you are over the age of 65, triple your miles.
- If you have health problems and are over the age of 65, quadruple your miles.
Motion for Missions
This part of the program is built off of Pastor Burns' success with raising money for various projects through his ultramarathons. Click here to see a more detailed brochure about this program.
Part One: Look forward at least six months and find an event near your home to participate in. Set a goal much higher than you have ever attained, whether it is a 5 k, a 10 K, a marathon, ultra marathons, etc. You can set your own event, or join with others. The important thing is to pick something that will motivate you and appeal to your interests.
Part Two: Communicate to your list of family and friends (e.g. your Christmas card list) to inform them or your intent to participate in the event and that you are doing it to raise money for missions. Humor is a good tool to use in this communication as it will enable your friends and family to identify with you instead of feeling guilty and depressed about the urgent needs that abound. Include some of the facts about the particular race or event you are planning to participate in and facts about the project you are supporting.
Part Three: The Event - Expect the unexpected. It is common to experience an injury or other major issue in the weeks prior to an event. During the event, you will also get to know yourself; sometimes it isn’t pleasant and other times it is. The positive effect of offering your body to a cause greater than yourself is it allows you the opportunity to develop spiritual disciplines to overcome character issues that come with unexpected adversities.
Vienna Assembly of God
Loving God, Loving Others, Loving Life
