September 10, 2001
Church members 'run for their lives' to save lives
___By John Hall
___Staff Writer
___SAN ANTONIO--Members of Eisenhauer Road Baptist Church ran to raise money for those who are persecuted around the world for standing for their faith Aug. 18.
___The church sponsored a 5 kilometer run/walk to raise money for families that have lost the main breadwinner because he or she took a stand for their faith and were eitherimprisoned of killed because of it. More than 175 people ranging in age from infancy to senior citizens registered for the event, raising about $1,500 for the families.
THE STARTING LINE of "Run for their Lives."
___The event was called "Run for Their Lives."
___The money will be sent to the Voice of the Martyrs family fund, which helps families around the world. Voice of the Martyrs is an interdenominational organization that works to support persecuted Christians as well as to end religious persecution around the world. It ministers in more than 40 countries, including China, where religious material is confiscated by the state and many Christians are enslaved in labor camps, and Sudan, where the largely Muslim government in the north has waged a war against Christians in the south.
___Despite these common actions against Christians around the globe, the church's pastor, Kevin Prather, said many in America are not aware of the situations faced by fellowChristians. Eradicating this lack of knowledge was the purpose of the event, he said.
THREE young participants with their medals.
___"We want to raise awareness of the cause and to be aware that we have brothers and sisters around the world who are dying for their beliefs," he said. "Christ is so precious that these people lose their lives. When we look at these people, we can rejoice that we have a treasure we can't lose in Jesus Christ."
___Not only did the church raise awareness by giving every participant a copy of the Voice of the Martyrs newsletter as well as information about Christianity, but it is also is working with a local television station on a series of pieces about religious persecution around the world.
___The event was especially meaningful to one participant who had witnessed mistreatment of Christians growing up in Indonesia and wanted to do whatever she could to help the persecuted.
___"There's severe persecution in Indonesia," said Linda Gillis. "That is not in the news much because people don't like hearing stories like that because they are horrible. People are worshipping in burned churches. They aren't asking for much but prayers to remember them."
___While other participants had not witnessed such severe religious persecution, the event helped them better appreciate the rights they have in the United States.
___"The day-to-day person doesn't know what is going on," said Glen Yotter, who helped set up the race. "We have all these freedoms and take them for granted. When you know brothers and sisters in Christ are dying, you want to do whatever you can."
___For more information about Voice of the Martyrs, visit the organization's website at www.persecution.com.
___
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