MORRIS COUNTY — One of New Jersey’s fastest-growing churches and ranked #56 in Outreach Magazine’s 2019 list of the Top 100 Fastest-Growing Churches In America, Liquid Church is raising awareness and funds for its signature Clean Water Cause by hosting the first-ever Run For Rwanda 5K & 1.5 Mile Fun Run on Saturday, October 19 in Parsippany. The 5K begins at 9:30 a.m. and the 1.5 Mile Fun Run begins at 10:30 a.m.
“Rwanda is a country with an ambitious goal – to be the first in Africa with 100% access to clean water and at Liquid Church, we’re committed to helping Rwandans reach this milestone,” said Tim Lucas, lead pastor and founder of Liquid Church. “Right now 25% of Rwandans have no other choice but to drink dirty water that carries water borne diseases and makes families ill. Globally, 2,300 children die each day from drinking unsafe water. The clean water crisis is a global epidemic and by hosting Run For Rwanda, we’re not only drawing attention to the crisis, but we’re raising funds that can be used to effect real change.”
Liquid and its overseas partner Living Water International have been working together in Rwanda since 2015, when Liquid donated a $250,000 high-speed drill rig capable of reaching and drilling wells in remote villages. To date, Liquid has helped to open 153 clean water wells throughout the Ruhango district of Rwanda. Funds raised through the Run For Rwanda will help to complete the WASH program (water access, sanitation, hygiene) in the Ruhango district, while positioning the church to help new families in another region of the country – Busasamana.
“Whether people join us to run, walk, or stroll, I want them to know that their participation in the Run For Rwanda is helping to bring clean water to the thirsty. They are having a real impact,” added Lucas. “For the millions of thirsty people in Rwanda, safe water can ultimately transform their health, safety, education, and livelihoods!”
The Run For Rwanda is a chip-timed race, and all ages, stages, and abilities are welcome to lace up and join the 5K or 1.5 Mile Fun Run that will take place on the wide open roads surrounding Liquid Church’s offices at 299 Webro Road in Parsippany, New Jersey. Participants are invited to sign-up as individuals or create and join teams.
“We’re seeing some incredible team names that certainly put a smile on my face; ‘Run Like The Winded,’ ‘Runnin’ On a Prayer,’ and ‘Grace For My Pace’ to name a few. We want people to have fun and to rally their family, friends, and neighbors to join them on the racecourse in order to multiply their impact. Together we can bring hope and healing to families in East Africa,” said Lucas.
Participants are encouraged to register in advance for Run For Rwanda – registration forms and race details can be found at www.RunForRwanda.com. The 5K begins at 9:30am and the 1.5 Mile Fun Run begins at 10:30am. Additional activities include an Outdoor Expo and Indoor Family-Friendly Funtivities such as African Drumming, a Water Walk, A Rwandan Village Sensory Experience, and Imigongo Tattoos. The event will wrap-up with a 5K Awards Presentation.
To learn more about Run For Rwanda click here. To get answers to Frequently Asked Questions, click here, and to learn more about the Clean Water Cause click here.
Liquid Church is one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing Christian churches. Officially launched in 2007 by Lead Pastor Tim Lucas, the church’s vision and mission is to “Saturate the State with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” with seven campuses in Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Somerset, and Union Counties. Each week, over 5,000 people experience Liquid Church’s worship services in New Jersey and around the globe through Church Online. As part of its global outreach, Liquid provides clean drinking water to those in need, with hundreds of completed wells around the world, including El Salvador and Nicaragua – and most recently, Rwanda! Liquid Church’s innovative approaches to outreach and ministry have been spotlighted by CNN, FOX News, and The Today Show. For more information click here.
