Posted: 6/25/04
Annuity Board-sponsored event prior
to SBC draws 600 walkers, runners
By Wendy Ashley
Annuity Board
INDIANAPOLIS (BP)–More than 600 Southern Baptist Convention messengers and guests–ranging in age from 3 to 84–participated in a pre-convention wellness walk sponsored by the SBC Annuity Board.
Participants gathered at 6:15 a.m. to walk or run either a one-mile or 5K course through White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. Local volunteers helped Annuity Board staff organize walkers and runners, work the finish line and serve refreshments.
Annuity Board President O.S. Hawkins welcomed participants and offered an opening prayer.
“We are making a statement about the importance of wellness,” Hawkins said. “The body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and we must be good stewards of the physical gifts of God.”
 |
| More than 600 Southern Baptists participated in a Wellness Walk through White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis, prior to the SBC annual meeting. |
Before the walk, Hawkins introduced Jim Breeden, staff member of the St. Louis Metro Baptist Association and member of West Community Baptist Church in St. Louis. Breeden visited the Annuity Board's wellness booth at last year's convention and made a commitment to step up and take responsibility for his health.
Quoting the New Testament reference to the word of God being sharper than a two-edged sword, Breeden said: “I found out that the word of God is even sharp enough to cut off fat. I began running to train for a marathon, and as I ran, I memorized Scripture.”
Over the past year, Breeden lost about 70 pounds. He completed his first marathon in April in four hours and 19 minutes and planned to participate in a quarter Ironman Triathlon later this month.
Van Simmons of Lawrenceville, Ga., an employee of the North American Mission Board, was the first 5K runner to cross the finish line with a time of 22 minutes and 37 seconds.
Many of the walkers and runners have made commitments to wellness.
Bobby Copeland of Martinsville, Ind., reported losing 165 pounds during the last year.
“The Lord told me that if I wanted to live to see my grandkids grow up, I needed to lose some weight,” he said.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.