As an institution, Oklahoma Wesleyan University has always had a heart for the plight of society’s marginalized people groups.
Over the years, this has mostly manifested itself through OKWU’s Orange Movement, named after abolitionist Orange Scott, and the group’s support of the Rahab House, a safehouse for trafficked girls in Southeast Asia. And this January, OKWU is again stepping forward and walking the talk—literally.
OKWU will partner with Venture, an organization that is dedicated to making an impact in the lives of the least reached and least resourced people groups on earth. The mission? To provide a month of care for vulnerable women and children in the country of Nepal. The method? To recruit those in the OKWU community to commit to running or walking one mile every day for the entire month of January.
“Venture and OKWU have enjoyed an exciting partnership that has impacted lives and offered the immediate and eternal hope of the Gospel to brothers and sisters living in some of the toughest places on the planet,” Paul Hurckman, Executive Director of Venture, said. “From strategically trading out meals in the cafeteria to running from NYC to DC to rescue girls from human trafficking, students have moved past feeling deeply to doing something about injustice.”
Anyone interested in taking part of Venture’s 30 Day Challenge can sign up at www.venture.org/30day
The idea of the project is not simply charity for those in need – although that is in itself a worthy goal. Venture’s hope is that the 30 Day Challenge will serve as an experiential journey for those who participate, and they are providing a number of resources and devotional materials to enhance the journey.
“The 30 Day Challenge invites students to start the semester by establishing a rhythm of life that makes space to respond to those in desperate need,” Hurckman said.
“Students have moved past feeling deeply to doing something about injustice.”
Practically, it’s simple. Students can sign up for the Venture 30 online. During the month of January, runners log their miles online at www.venturemiles.org or on the Venture Miles App, which is available for free. When runners log a mile each day in January, they raise $90 dollars, which provides 30 days of care to these people groups in Nepal who are in desperate need of aid.
Those interested in participating can sign up at www.venture.org/30day.
