Stories And Inspiration

One Rockingham school is incorporating something inspirational into its GO FAR training this spring. Along with the character traits introduced each week, Community Baptist Schools in Reidsville also includes Bible verses.

“Being a Christian school, it is our goal to instill each child with God’s word and teach them how to implement it daily,” said Jessica Wray, the school’s GO FAR coach.

She said GO FAR allows her to do that with her group of 12 first- through sixth-graders, who are all training for the Rockingham County GO FAR 5K on April 26. This is the school’s first year with the program.

“We are able to create a real-life situation for them to put into action the character trait and Bible verse they are learning about,” Wray said. “What a great benefit to not just talk about it, but get to do it firsthand.”

One of the main verses included with the group’s program is 1 Corinthians 10:31, which says: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Wray said she applies this verse to sportsmanship. “God tells us that whether you eat or even drink, all we do is for His glory. The way we act on the racetrack needs to show others the love and joy of Christ that we have inside,” she said. “This means being kind, helping others when they fall, encouraging others, and always congratulating others whether you win or lose.”

It’s made a difference in her GO FAR kids. “The biggest change I see in our students is their attitude. When we first started the program, our kids complained about all the running, just wanting to sit,” she said. “Now in the homestretch of the program, I have kids approaching me during the day, asking if there is GO FAR practice.”

Come race day, they’ll be ready. At the beginning the kids could not run more than two minutes without stopping. Now they run six minutes with no complaints. And plenty of parents will join them. Not only have parents come out to train at school, but they have also encouraged their kids at home by practicing with them. “What a neat way for parents and children to create a lifetime memory,” Wray said.