Running with Endurance

The Christian life is often pictured as a “walk,” as we are told to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). We are challenged to “walk by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16) and to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1). But have you ever considered how often our life of faith is also pictured as running? In 1 Cor. 9:24–27, Paul describes Christians as disciplined athletes running a race so that they may receive a prize. He pictured himself as a runner giving it all he’s got: “forgetting what lies behind and  straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13–14). At the end of his life, he was confident that he had been faithful in the race: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). What about us? How are we doing in our race?

At PCC, we have been running a race with our partners in Kenya for over 20 years. That’s quite a marathon! We’re thrilled that we have some of our partners from Kenya with us this week to remind us of the race we’re in together. Our partnership with Karen Community Church (KCC) in Nairobi has been focused on a common goal: to make disciples and plant churches among an unreached people group called the Aweer on the coast of Kenya. During this conference, we want to encourage one another to keep pressing on toward that goal. That’s why we selected Hebrews 12:1–2 as our key passage to help us “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus . . .”

The events in our conference will help us renew our commitment to running this race faithfully. Join us for our Fun Run on Saturday, Oct. 10, when we’ll have some friendly races to get us in the right mindset to “Run with Endurance.” The lessons in KidzMin, PSM, and College and Adult Discipleship classes will strengthen us in our love for Jesus and our commitment to keep on keeping on as we follow Him. Luncheons after the Sunday services, the Men’s Firepit Fellowship, the Women's Running Conversations events, Home Group studies, and prayer gatherings will allow us to celebrate what God is doing in our race together. And don’t miss the Family Movie Night on Friday, Oct. 16! The movie “The Distant Boat” will give us a taste of Kenyan culture and a glimpse of the challenges that our Kenyan partners face as they take the gospel to the unreached.

We’re so glad to have you with us in the race! Keep pressing on toward the goal! Jesus is worthy!

Billy Haselton
Director of Global Ministry and Education

Fun Run! | 8:00–11:00 AM | PCC
Put on your jogging shoes and join us for some friendly running (and walking) competition! There will be events for people of all ages. Bring the whole family! All are welcome to come and fellowship and cheer on the participants as we raise money for the Shelash Neema School in Lamu, Kenya. The school was established by KCC to meet the educational and spiritual needs of children in the community, particularly Aweer children. The name “Shelash” means love in the Aweer language, and “Neema” means grace in Swahili.

We’ll start with a 3-legged race for preschool and early elementary kids (up to age 10). Then we’ll have a one mile event followed by a 5K event (for all ages) where we challenge one another to keep going and not grow weary! You’re welcome to run, walk, or even push a stroller! The real purpose of these “races” is not competition, but celebration of our partnership with our Kenyan brothers and sisters! All the events will take place at the PCC campus.

Schedule
8:00AM - Check In (and on-site registration)
8:45AM - Welcome & Instructions
9:15AM - Race 1: Kids' 3-Legged Race
9:30AM - Race 2: One Mile Run / Walk
10:00AM - Race 3: 5K Run / Walk
11:00AM - Conclusion & Celebration!

Registration
3-Legged Race - $5 / person
One Mile & 5K Races - $15 / person
Kids 5 & Under - Free
100% of the proceeds from the registration will go toward supporting the students at the Shelash Neema School. Additional donations can be made during registration or on the day of the event.

T-Shirts Available: $15 / Pre-Order by 9/30 / A limited quantity will be available for purchase on the day of the event.

Prayer for the Conference | 8:30 AM | Conference Room A

Worship Services | 9:00 AM & 10:45 AM
Ministry Report: Ezekiel & Lucy Wainaina with M1
Sermon: JP Mugendi - Heb. 12:1–2

KidzMin Large Group | 9:00 & 10:45 AM | Hall B
Life in Kenya: Joy Elliott and Riri Njogu will show kids some Kenyan items, play some games, and celebrate how the gospel is spreading.

Student Ministries (MS & HS) | 9:00 AM | Room 301 & 302
Regular Sunday morning programming.

College Ministry | 9:00 AM | Room 207/208
College students Molly Elliott & Emily Touchet will share about their experience in Kenya and possible future trip opportunities

Discipleship Classes | Room 201/202
My Testimony: Finding the Path of True Life (M1)  | 9:00 AM - Hear the story of the first Aweer believer, named “M1.” Find out how the gospel put him on the path of true life.
Praying for Africa: Faithfulness & Endurance | 10:45 AM - Join the Africa prayer time as we lift up the needs of our partners serving there.

Connection Tables | 10:15 AM & 12:00 PM | PCC Foyer
Visit the tables in the Foyer to get to know our Global Ministry Partners and to find out more about PCC Global Ministry.

Luncheon | 12:15 PM | Café
Ezekiel & Lucy Wainaina with M1 - Enjoy some amazing dishes from Kenya while hearing some encouraging testimonies from Ezekiel, Lucy, and M1.

Running Conversations | Monday, 11:00 AM | Tuesday, 2:00 PM | Wednesday 1:30 PM
This year, the women of PCC will have a special opportunity to get "up close and personal" with our global workers. Small gatherings around a table, a firepit, or on someone’s deck will give you a chance to ask questions and listen to the heart of our workers. We hope that the women of PCC will take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage more deeply with our Kenyan partners. Space is limited, so sign up soon at bit.ly/runningconvos26.

Home Groups | See the PCC Home Group brochure for meeting locations and times
This week we will have a special focus on Kenya in each Home Group. We will be learning some new insights about our partnership with KCC and the outreach to the Aweer, and we will hear some personal stories about what God is doing there. We’ll also spend time in prayer for our partners and for their needs.

Day of Prayer | 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM | Rooms 301 & 302
Jesus taught us to pray that the Lord would send workers into his harvest (Luke 10:2). In addition to our regular weekly prayer meetings on Tuesday morning, we will have this special Day of Prayer for the  spread of the gospel throughout the world. Join us at PCC for one of the hours of prayer. Sign up for a time at bit.ly/gmcdopoct26. Childcare will be available during the 10:00 AM & 11:00 AM time slots.

Family Movie Night | The Distant Boat | 6:30–8:30 PM | Hall B
This engaging movie—filmed on location in Kenya—shows one man’s journey to the coast of Africa that confronts him with the spiritual needs of people who live there. This journey compels him to devote his life to reaching these people with the good news of Jesus. Enjoy popcorn and snacks as you watch this touching drama.

Prayer for the Conference | 8:30 AM | Conference Room A

Worship Services | 9:00 AM & 10:45 AM
Ministry Report: JP & Beryl Mugendi - Partnering for the Gospel
Sermon: Mark Shaw - Heb. 12:1–2

KidzMin Large Group | 9:00 & 10:45 AM | Hall B
PSM students who traveled to Kenya in the summer of 2025 will share some stories about what they experienced on their trip and give the kids a chance to ask questions.

Student Ministries (MS & HS) | 9:00 AM | Room 301 & 302
JP & Beryl Mugendi, who served with CRU for 10 years, will share with PCC students about youth ministry in Kenya. They will also talk about how students can be involved with reaching the unreached.

College Ministry | 9:00 AM | Room 207/208
Ezekiel Wainaina will encourage the college students to view their career through the lens of ministry. He will share about how his work in the medical field has opened up doors for the gospel. He will also talk about what a STINT (Short-Term Internship) could look like.

Discipleship Classes | Room 201/202
The Aweer Church: A Story of Progress & Perseverance | 9:00 AM - PCC has been praying for the gospel to reach the Aweer people for many years. Are the Aweer coming to know Jesus? Is there an Aweer  church? Lucy Wainaina and M1 will help us answer these questions.
Running Together: A 20-Year Marathon | 10:45 AM - Our partnership with Karen Community Church of Nairobi has been a marathon, not a sprint. As Tom Kenney, Lois Shaw, and JP Mugendi talk about our 20+ year journey together, we’ll be challenged to keep running with endurance.

Praying for the World | 10:45 AM | Conference Room A
Our regular 3rd Sunday prayer time will focus on Global Ministry Partners in Europe, Papua New Guinea, and the Americas.

Connection Tables | 10:15 AM & 12:00 PM | PCC Foyer
Visit the tables in the Foyer to get to know our Global Ministry Partners and to find out more about PCC Global Ministry.

Luncheon | JP & Beryl | 12:15 PM | Café
Hear the testimonies of two of our Kenyan partners, JP & Beryl. As you hear their stories, you’ll celebrate the wonders of God’s grace and the joy of leading their paths to cross—with each other, and with PCC!

Is God nudging you to be a part of what He is doing in His world? Here are a few ways to get started:

• Commit to praying for a Global Ministry Partner such as the ones you met or heard about during the conference. To learn more, visit bit.ly/pccgmps. There you will find out about ways to pray for all of PCC’s global partners.
• Attend one of the Global Ministry prayer times on Sundays at 10:45AM. You’ll hear the latest updates and reasons to celebrate. Then you’ll bring them all to God in prayer. Find out about more prayer opportunities at pccyorktown.com/prayer.
• Teach your kids about Global Ministry. Get a world map or a globe for your home to help your children learn about God’s world and where our partners are serving. Help kids learn to think globally: When they talk about what they want to be when they grow up, ask them, “Where in the world do you want to go to do that?” Encourage kids to have a Global Ministry piggy bank to collect money for projects and partners.
• Financially support one of our Global Ministry Partners, such as Ezekiel & Lucy Wainaina, who are reaching the Aweer and making disciples in many ways. Invest in Ezekiel and Lucy’s ministry at bit.ly/ELWgive.
• Give to the ministry of the Shelash Neema School to bless Aweer children with the gift of education and point them to Jesus. The name “Shelash” means love in the Aweer language, and “Neema” means grace in Swahili. We pray that the school will show the love and grace of Jesus to all the students! Visit bit.ly/aweerschoolgive to contribute to the Shelash Neema School.
• Take Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, a 15-week course designed to help believers in Jesus discover God’s global purpose and their unique role in it. This course will be offered at PCC starting in January 2027. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/pccperspectives27.
• Join one of the Short-Term Trip teams that PCC sends out each year to join God in the work He is already doing around the world. Be on the lookout for information about our upcoming trips.

For more information about our Global Partners and Global Ministry at PCC, pick up a copy of our Guidebook to Global Ministry or visit pccglobalmin.com.

2026 Fall Global Ministry Conference Brochure (pdf) - Coming soon!