Church on the Run is a fundraising activity that invites your church to run, cycle, swim or move in any way you can to support our persecuted family in sub-Saharan Africa. We caught up with Izzi Bailey from Just Love Oxford to find what inspired them – and why you should join them.
The group from Just Love Oxford getting on the move for our persecuted family in sub-Saharan Africa
What inspired you to get on the move for your persecuted family?
The levels of persecution and suffering that our global family experience daily has always been heartbreaking to many of us at Just Love Oxford. The way they continue to live out their faith, despite the consequences, is such an encouragement, and a testimony to how God draws near to those facing injustice and uses them. Having heard their stories, it’s so clear that God’s Spirit rests on those who are deeply suffering and turns their weakness into power – a power that He uses for good and for change. We decided to do Church on the Run to pray, encourage and financially support our persecuted family – just as their testimonies encourage us!
What does your challenge involve?
We set a goal of collectively moving 1,620km over June and July. However, when we invited people to sign up, we rapidly surpassed that goal, which was super exciting! We’re doing a mixture of walking, running, swimming and cycling.
“It has helped us to think more deeply about our persecuted family”
Izzi
How has it helped deepen your relationship with your persecuted family?
It’s been such an eye-opening experience. Many of us aren’t regular athletes, so this has mostly been a challenge and not a casual side-quest! But that has helped us to fix our gaze on who we’re running for – deepening our love for them and our desire to pray for them. It has helped us to think more deeply about our persecuted family, being encouraged by their testimonies and challenged by their unwavering faith.
How have people responded to your challenge?
Most of the people who signed up pledged to do 162km over the two months, reflecting the 16.2 million Christians fleeing violence and conflict in sub-Saharan Africa. Others pledged to do 42km (a marathon) and even 240km! A friend and I decided to cycle 162km in one day, which was a massive challenge, but also a beautiful time of prayer and petitioning for our persecuted family.
What would you to say to encourage others to do Church on the Run?
Every step you run or mile you cycle is more than just exercise – it’s an act solidarity with our persecuted family and a declaration that we will not forget those who suffer for their faith. What’s been great is that the challenge is super accessible – it can be whatever you make it, whether you use your casual daily runs or do a massive challenge. It creates opportunity to look beyond our culture and contexts and focus on our wider Christian family, and pray for the persecuted church – all whilst getting some exercise in! Why wouldn’t you do Church on the Run?!
What are others doing?
On land and in the water, Welcome Church in Witney, Oxfordshire, have been getting on the move in more ways than one – running, walking, wild swimming and canoeing! Together, they’ve raised more than £2,700.
Paul from Stirling got creative with the numbers for his challenge. To highlight the campaign, he took to the swimming pool on 16 occasions in July, each time swimming 1,620 metres to reach a total of just under 16.2 miles! A sterling effort.
In the summer, 40 people from New Hope Christian Centre in Norwich – ranging from those in Sunday School to the church’s eldest member – got on the move in many different ways, including paddle boarding, swimming and roller blading, reaching a collective goal of 1,620 miles!