I am excited to announce that I am launching into a specific challenge over the next several months.  Between today, May 26, and Saturday November 3, I am embarking on Kevin’s 50 miles for Justice – a Challenge of Faith and Life.  Here is the What, the Why, and the How You Can Be a Part.

WHAT

On Saturday November 3rd I’m going to attempt to run 50 miles all at once.  And since I think that’s mentally and physically going to be a very difficult task, I’m doing it raise money for a cause – the International Justice Mission.  (Visit this website and see below for more on the fundraising part.) I’m also challenging people I know and people who read this blog to do something they’ve never done before.

WHY

There are some very simple reasons I’m doing this.  Here they are:

• I want to honor Jesus with my life.  He died on the cross to free people from sin.  I believe the Bible speaks very clearly about justice and freedom.
• I want to challenge people to do something with their life they’ve never done before.
• I want to have motivation for my training.
• No one should ever be bored.  I’m trying to help people think about how to combat boredom.
• I would love to be a part of saving children and/or adults from international sex trafficking and slavery.  I’d also love it if more people became aware of this global crisis and got involved.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN BE A PART

There are some main ways I’m challenging you to be a part of this specific journey in my life.

1. Pray that God would be glorified.

Seriously, if I am glorified in all this, it’s a big waste.  No one needs another person and another cause.  I hope this is an encouragement to others that brings glory to God.  Nothing more, nothing less.

2. Do something this summer/fall that you’ve never done before.

I’m challenging this happy little group of people who read my blog to do something you’ve never done before.  Get active.  Run a 5K.  Get to know someone you dislike.  Bury the hatchet with someone.  If you’re not a Christian, get some answers about why people are Christians. If you’re a believer, grow in your faith – read the bible between now and November 3rd.  That might mean a little less ice cream and Netflix, but you can do it.  Share your faith with one person per week.  Organize a free car wash in your neighborhood and refuse to let anyone pay you.  I hope these ideas spur your thinking.  Use this summertime to do something!

NOTE:  If you decide to do something and want to encourage others, e-mail me directly at burkholder.kevin@gmail.com.  I’ll be posting blogs over the next several months which will share ideas and encouragement for what others are doing.

3.  And finally, HELP ME RAISE $500 OR MORE FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION.

What do I mean $500 or more?  Here’s how this will work.  I have set up a web page that will track what anyone decides to give.  Is it worth trading a pizza so someone across the globe can be freed from sexual slavery?  If you’d like to contribute, go to this website:

Kevin’s 50 miles for justice.

If the readers of this blog donate a combined $250, my wife and I will match it for a total of $500.  If the readers of this blog donate a combined $500, my wife and I will match it for a total of $1000!!

Please do not feel obligated to give money.  There are passions other people have I am not a part of and I don’t expect them to be offended if I don’t share the same passion.

CONCLUSION

I am excited to spur people in my life to deeper faith in Christ through love and good deeds.  I do that (I hope!) in other intentional ways already.  This is not to diminish any of those.  However, in adding this personal focus over the next several months, I hope to share some encouragement among friends and acquaintances and benefit an organization and a cause I think people should know about.

A usual theme of why I write a blog is this:  be challenged!  So, everyone – BE CHALLENGED!