Running to help spread God's word

Imagine running 52 miles in the cold and snow. That is exactly what Jeremy Detterer will be doing the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

He will not be alone though. Three other young people will be running different routes Saturday, but not as far.

The foursome attended a convention in Casper earlier this fall and decided they wanted to help a missionary raise money to purchase a car and an amplifier for his work in West Africa.

Jeremy is the strongest of the runners and challenged himself to run 52 miles from Saratoga to Rawlins or vice versa, depending on the wind that day. Rather than running the interstate and risking his life, he will run across a local ranch. He has been running six miles a day to prepare and hopes to finish the run in 12 hours. Of course with the shorter days, that means part of his run will be in the dark.

His younger brother Aaron Detterer is going to run from Saratoga to Encampment, while Zowie Irby will run from Saratoga to the Snowy Range Road junction.

Morgan Rempel is running to Walcott. Morgan decided the 52 mile trek was just a little much for him, so he decided on the 20 mile run.

The run is part of a 30-day challenge from Speed the Light, a non-profit organization sponsored by the Assembly of God churches across the nation.

Wyoming has chosen to support a missionary, Tim Ligon, and the local Assembly of God church, also known as the Platte Valley Christian Church (PVCC) has chosen to participate.

Each of the teens have different reasons for running, but all have the same goal – to raise money for Ligon.

Thirteen-year-old Aaron plans to run the 19 plus miles between Saratoga and Encampment. The furthest he has run at one time is five miles and this run will test his endurance.

Aaron is not a novice runner, having gained training and experience on the Saratoga Cross Country team.

Zowie, the youngest member at 12 years old and the only girl in the group, will run between Saratoga and Snowy Range. She will be accompanied by Aaron for that part of the trek to encourage her to keep going. She is preparing for the run by running at the mobile home court where she lives.

She has a dual purpose for running. She wants to help the minister, but she also wants to tell people about God.

Morgan said he was feeling peer pressure from Jeremy to run, but did not want to put in 52 miles, so he chose the Walcott route. Morgan though, is an accomplished runner as well, as he ran in cross country this season.

While these four have chosen to help in the short term, other members of the youth group at PVCC plans to host bake sales in the future for the year-long challenge.

The missionary in Lome, Togo, West Africa is working with 600 children and often has to yell for the congregation to hear him. An amplifier will help save his voice.

The convention in Casper was hosted by the Assembly of God churches in Wyoming, but invites all denominations from Wyoming to participate.

The 30-day goal is to raise $460, while the long term goal is to raise $4,000, doubling what the Assembly of God churches raised last year.

To donate to the cause, people can call the PVCC at 307-326-5520 and leave a message. Aaron said every bit helps their cause, so any donation is appreciated.