Watch: Running the London Marathon for suffering Christians

The London Marathon is one of the most popular mass-participation sporting events in the world. Each year, some 40,000 participants from all over the globe run the 26-mile course in support of their favourite charities.

For one long-time Barnabas Aid supporter the occasion was the opportunity to raise money for food.gives. Gary, 49, from Belfast, Northern Ireland, set out to support Christians suffering through persecution, conflict, natural disasters, or simply being left at the back of the queue for food and other essential aid in many countries where they are a despised minority.

Christian faith remains strong through family loss

Gary lives with his wife and two children in Belfast and works as a Quality Controller in the aeronautics industry.
His upbringing, however, was far from comfortable. His family suffered financial hardship, food was scarce, and it was a constant struggle to make ends meet on a meagre income. In those testing times it was their Christian faith that kept the family strong and united.

One day the family received the dreaded news that Gary’s father had contracted lung cancer and sadly he later lost his battle with the disease. Yet Gary had the assurance that his father knew the Lord and was now at peace.

During his dad’s treatment Gary was impressed by how caring the cancer charity was that looked after him and he felt a strong desire to give back for all the care and support his family had received.  

Inspired to run for persecuted Christians

When Gary noticed a local charity run was being organised in aid of cancer research, he knew what he could do. “That inspired me then to start running,” he said, realising there was a way he could help others in his dad’s memory.

From there, Gary participated in his first marathon. “I did a reasonably good time, and I enjoyed the thrill of it,” he recalls.

Gary went on to take part in several other marathons and loved making a difference to people’s lives by raising funds for charities.

One day, he was introduced to the work of Barnabas Aid, who provide aid to suffering and persecuted Christians. He especially remembered the statement, “Persecution will refine the Church.” He realised the level of commitment required of those who follow the Lord, whether facing daily persecution or not.

He sensed the challenge, “Can I confess His Name to people who are oppressing me?” Whilst he may never be called upon to do so, he knew he could stand with those who faced such oppression by using his talent for running.

Open your ears to the cry of the poor

Gary decided to run the London Marathon to raise funds for food.gives, a long-term Barnabas project which sends food to hungry Christians. He noticed the impact of the ministry in providing daily nutritious meals to Christians around the world, enabling them to have the energy to earn a living and their children to attend school. As a distance runner, he was only too aware of how vital a regular intake of vitamins is to maintain his strength.  

One verse stood out in sustaining him as he undertook the necessary months of gruelling training: “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” (Proverbs 21: 13). Gary knew God was prompting him to raise whatever funds he could to help his brothers and sisters in need.

“You couldn’t ask for a bigger purpose”

The satisfaction when Gary crossed the finishing line in London wearing his distinctive pink food.gives vest was palpable.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything better,” Gary said, savouring the atmosphere. He completed the course in an impressive time of 3 hours 2 minutes.

Gary reflected on the motivation he experienced in the tough last few miles as he knew he was running for his suffering brothers and sisters. “Running for food.gives, you couldn’t ask for a bigger purpose.”
 
His run raised more than £1,300 for our food.gives programme providing nutritious ePap porridge to malnourished Christians in drought-hit Madagascar and Zimbabwe.