Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we

do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. . . I discipline my body like an athlete,

training it to do what it should. (1 Corinthians 9.24-27, NLT) 

 

I love sports. Watching athletes compete always grabs my attention. Recently, the 2025 World Athletics Championships were held in Japan. I especially love track and field competition, where pure speed, strength, and skill is on display. Years of preparation and training culminate in a single race. Of all these races, my favorite are the relays. Four runners work together, each carrying the baton for a fourth of the distance. All four must work together as one to win the race. If three runners race perfectly, then the last runner drops the baton, they all lose. The pressure is on!

 

I thought of that recently when I was in the Philippines. I was teaching young people from six different countries at the Word of Life Bible Institute. I’ve been in ministry for more than four decades (where does the time go?!), and while I am continuing my own ministry, my goal is to help a new generation of Christians ‘carry the baton’ of the gospel into their future.

 

Word of Life is an international Christian evangelism and discipleship ministry. It was started by Jack Wyrtzen in 1940. Wyrtzen grew up antagonistic to Jesus Christ, and even persecuted Christians. But in 1932, he trusted Christ as his Savior, and his life was changed. He never finished high school or got ordained, but he believed in the power of the gospel (cf. Rom. 1.16). In the 1940s and 50s, his ministry took off: He debated atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair, and preached in Times Square and Madison Square Garden. He started rescue missions and prison ministries. His passion for young people led him to pioneer Christian radio and television, host youth rallies, and create clubs, camps, and Bible institutes, which still impact lives today.

 

On a wall in the Bible Institute where I taught is a quote by Jack Wyrtzen: “It is the responsibility of each generation to reach their generation for Christ.” We cannot depend on those who went before us, nor those who will come after us. The ‘baton’ has been passed to us. Today is our time. The responsibility is ours. We must not drop the baton!

 

Paul exhorts us in 1 Corinthians 9.24 to “run to win”! You can ‘train’ for this race by taking the evangelism training at NBBC. Then start ‘running’ – telling others how Jesus has changed your life, and how He can change theirs – forever! Don’t drop the baton!