Page 7 - News Magazine - AutumnWinter 2026_Web
P. 7
Neil comments: “The main five points why this
is an effective outreach can be summarised
as follows:
• It is a place where a relatively young
demographic can be reached week by week.
• It is low key outreach - all we do is have a
portable stand with a sign, with some Bibles on
it. This stand is placed near the start (to allow
runners to see it as they go round the route)
and near the finish.
• We will offer one to each runner - or simply let
people take one off the stand. We are not there
to preach but if someone asks why we
are doing it we will respond with the Gospel.
We are careful not to impede runners or be in
the way of the Marshals.
• Between 5%-10% of runners will take a
Testament. against the truth of the Gospel, but he said he
• Christian runners are encouraged and will talk couldn’t argue with my own experience of God’s
about the outreach. It is an opportunity to give love and forgiveness.
out GOOD NEWS for Everyone! membership/ At Buxton parkrun, Duncan was thrilled to
Friends leaflets. We post to the Christian receive a Testament. Parkrun had helped
Runners Facebook group with updates. him to stop his heavy drinking. He said the
• Ministers participating will get to know who Testament ‘was a sign’ that he appreciated and
GOOD NEWS for Everyone! are, providing a needed. A runner, married to a church warden,
way to arrange church visits for local branches.” had completed his 26th London Marathon
the week before. He was the Director of a
Anne continues: “Intrigued by a Christian friend parkrun in Wilmslow, which he invited us to as
who has done many parkruns all over the world, well as taking our contact details for a church
and by being dragged around one or two by visitation if his vicar agreed.
our daughter, it became obvious that this was
an avenue to give God’s Word to all ages in a Over six parkruns, mainly around Manchester,
regular way. we have given out around 25 per run - about a
10% take-up rate.
Unsurprisingly the parkrun organisation did not As well as having conversations with runners
want us to use their logo on badged Testaments. about the Bible and the work of GOOD NEWS
However, after a chat with Ben at National Office for Everyone! we have also encouraged other
and the purchase of a male and female runner logo, Christian runners who have made themselves
for a nominal amount, the ‘Runners Testament’, known to us. The helpful booklet about GOOD
based on a Service Testament was born.
NEWS for Everyone! came out in time for us
At Keswick parkrun, with over 633 participants, to order and have on our stand to give to any
there was a Vineyard Church gathering where one Christians who may be interested in joining
of the speakers visited our stall. He was thrilled to GOOD NEWS for Everyone!
hear GOOD NEWS for Everyone! had a ‘presence’
at parkruns and took a leaflet about membership. Why not order a box of Runners Testaments
and have a go at your local parkrun or see if
Two local vicars were running and were any of your church members go to parkruns?
encouraged we were there, as a witness to You could accompany them and encourage
the Gospel. I also had a 10-minute Gospel them to give out Testaments when they’ve
conversation with Carleton, who was happy for finished their run. You never know, you may
me to pray for him. He had had many arguments just attract potential members!”
AUTUMN / WINTER 2026 7
