KNOXVILLE — John Green highly recommended glow sticks and nighttime running gear for his church’s inaugural 5K Moon Run/Walk. Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, where Green is senior pastor, hosted the nighttime fun run Dec. 2 at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville.
Dubbed the Moon Run in memory of Lottie Moon, a Southern Baptist missionary to China from 1873 to 1912, proceeds from the event will raise funds for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, which supports missionaries sent through the Southern Baptist International Mission Board.
While the event is named for Lottie Moon, the name of the race is also a play on words, Green said. Participants will run by moonlight along a lighted path, using glow sticks and head lamps.
Green, who had the idea for the 5K to support international missions nearly five years ago, hopes the event will engage those in the greater Knoxville community who enjoy exercise and fitness.
“We see this as a good way not only to connect with those who enjoy fun runs and 5Ks but also to raise money from the community for what’s dear to our heart, and that is the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” Green said.
Thanks to sponsorships from local businesses and the church’s budget, all proceeds from the race will be donated to the Lottie Moon offering. Green said he wanted to keep costs as low as possible to allow more money to go to missions.
Sandy Bolton, director of mission ministries for Wallace Memorial, says the Moon Run is Green’s dream.
“John is such a supporter of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” Bolton said. “The race is a fun thing to help us kick off the Week of Prayer and involve not just our members but anyone in the community.”
The Week of Prayer for International Missions is Dec 4-11, 2022. The church intentionally planned the Moon Run for the Friday night before to avoid conflicts with sporting events on Saturday, Green said.
“We didn’t imagine at the time that (the University of) Tennessee might have an SEC championship game on Dec. 3,” Green added. “They came close.”
The church also connected with the local track club for tips on organizing the event and are promoting it among local cross-country teams at area schools. So far, response has been positive. The goal was 50 runners, and sign-ups have already exceeded that number. “Now we are hoping for more than 100,” Green said.
Both Green and Bolton hope the Moon Run will become an annual event in Knoxville.
“We want to do everything we can to get the gospel to the ends of the earth, and we want to be creative in how we do that,” Green said.
Bolton agreed, “One of the most important things we can do is make sure (our children) understand why we give (to missions), who we are supporting and what our missionaries do.
“We are not just taking an offering; we are investing in the kingdom,” Bolton said.
Wallace Memorial has set a Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal of $160,000 this year. B&R — Lovell has written about Baptist work for more than 20 years. She lives in Spring Hill.
