Chapel Springs Mission Pastor in front of the Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. [/caption] Chapel Springs Church of Bristow is doing its part to help those in need at the local and international level by organizing its inaugural 5K run/walk this spring.
The church already has more than 120 participants signed up for race, which begins May 2 at 8 a.m. at the church.
According to the Mission Pastor Doug, three nonprofit organizations were selected to benefit from the race. Each is focused on addressing one of the three areas of need highlighted by the race—human trafficking, hunger and hopelessness.
One of the organizations, Akhi's Place Shelter for Trafficked Girls, is a long-term safe house for girls born in brothels in Southeast Asia, according to the Chapel Springs site.
The organization is located outside of a densely-populated and poor city where children and adults are forced into the sex trafficking.
The name of the city is being withheld to protect the organization and the people it helps, said Pastor Dou who has traveled to that area twice.
“I’ve been to this country. I’ve met the actual people. I’ve seen it—there’s such a need there,” he said. “There’s not a lot of hope (and) not a lot of opportunity.”
The money raised by the race will help the shelter open up a bigger space with social workers who can continue to help victims, he said.
SERVE, a program of Northern Virginia Family Services, is located in Manassas and is a homeless shelter. It is also the largest food distribution center in Prince William County.
Assisting Bristow-based Christ in Action conquers the hopelessness area of the need addressed by the race.
Christ in Action is a faith-based, first response group that has responded to the sites of the Sept. 11 attacks and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina along the gulf coast in 2005.
“We kind of went with something that hits on all three layers,” Dressen says of the church’s decision to help organizations that help on the local, semi-local and international level. “Hopefully, that resonates with people,” he added.
Apparently it has resonated-$17,000 already has been raised from sponsorships.
Pastor says he’ll like to have as many people as possible—1,500—register for the race.
About 2,000 people attend Sunday services at Chapel Springs. That, paired with help from the community will help them reach that goal, he added.
If the cause isn’t inspiring to runners, then the racecourse may surely be.
About half of the course is through the neighboring Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, which has well-maintained trails, a pond and scenic historical elements.
Registration costs $30 until the end of March, but the price goes up tp $35 in April. Registration is $40 the week and the day of the race.
Running Store gift cards will be given to the top three males and females who finish the race.
Prizes will also be awarded to the top three in each of the eight age brackets.
More information and registration is available at chapelsprings.org/5K.
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