A Marathon to Remember!
By Rev. Mark McAdow
”Amazing!” “Awesome!” “Incredible!” Those are just a few of the words I’ve heard and used to attempt to describe this year’s Second Wind Outreach! This is an amazing Church Family and Staff. Thanks to each of you who invested your time, energy, expertise and talents all weekend long to care for others in Jesus’ Name here at First Church! Thanks for your willingness to be stretched and used of God!
This was by far our greatest Marathon Outreach event ever. Our presence at the Runner’s Expo on Friday and Saturday gave us some great visibility; Mary Nethercutt, Laura Alfonzo, Sandie Blake, Kirk Norman and I cooked and served hundreds of silver dollar sized pancakes to passersby and invited people to worship with us on Saturday night and breakfast on Sunday morning. We estimate 2100 were served breakfast, 1000 kids enjoyed our Kid’s Play area, and another 2000 stretched out in the warmth and comfort of our church building, used our restrooms, watched the live feed of the race in our sanctuary, etc. We were packed!
We had a tremendous one-hour targeted worship service on Saturday evening and for the very first time, about half the congregation were runners and their families. I preached on Finishing Strong and we had a Blessing of the Shoes to close the service with a special anointing for runners who so desired – many did! It was very moving. I saw several with tears in their eyes.
Sunday began early (4am) for the pancake cooks and other volunteers (including several of us who spent the “short” night in the church). We actually began serving an hour early because people were here and hungry. The cold, rainy weather brought more people inside our building; so God used even that to allow us to serve more people. We received overwhelming appreciation and personal thanks from lots of people. We also led the Sunrise Service at the Survivor Tree at 5:25am before the start of the marathon. In all we had over 190 First Church members and friends who served and cooked the breakfast, staffed the kids’ play area, massaged the runners’ tired muscles, cleaned bathrooms, greeted guests, and cheered on the runners as course marshals.
I am so proud to be your pastor and thankful for the chance to serve alongside each of you. Yes, it was hard work, but very satisfying. We always receive more when we give – that’s a spiritual principle you can count on!
And thanks for your prayers! I did finish the 5K race without needing EMSA and I have Evan and a medal to prove it!
Click here to see video highlights from this year's event.