Interview for Chaplains' Corner by
Patrick Nath
cc: When did you receive
Christ as your Savior?
pn: In July of 1986;
I was 19 years old at the time.
cc: What types of church
ministry do you participate in?
pn: I pastor two small
churches, and do some missionary work
with Vietnamese immigrants.
cc: How long have you
been running?
pn: Steadily, for two years
now, but have I run on and off
several times since high school.
cc: What are your most
memorable experiences in running?
pn: I will never forget
running the perimeter of the U.S. Naval
Academy in Annapolis, MD, when I was
a midshipman there. The six mile or
so run took in a sea wall with
crashing waves, a marina, an old wooden
footbridge, a beautiful river, a trip
through the woods, and a brick lane
with a chapel and other century old
buildings. I also enjoyed my first 5K
race two years ago. My first half-marathon
(Springfield, MO -- Dec. 2002) was also
quite an experience. Most of the course
was snow and ice covered, and the
temperature at race time was only 25
degrees. The pain of frostbite took
my mind off the run!
cc: How does your faith
in Christ affect your running?
pn: I think my faith
in Christ allows me to keep the
proper perspectives while running. I know
that my body belongs to God: I
Corinthians 6:19 says, "...know ye not
that your body is the temple of
the Holy Ghost which is in you,
which ye have of God, and ye are
not your own." I can enjoy running,
and the positive effects of running,
knowing that I am taking care of
the body God has given me.
cc: How does running affect
your faith in Christ?
pn: Running seems to relieve
stress and allow me to focus on
God's will for my life. Running helps
me think clearly about my priorities
and responsibilites in life.
cc: Are there any special
things you think or pray about while
running?
pn: Often, I think about
the things I have scheduled for the
day I am running, and I pray for
God's wisdom and grace in each decision
I have to make.
cc: Do you have a
favorite Bible verse?
pn: Ephesians 6:19 -- "And
for me, that utterance may be given
unto me, that I may open my mouth
boldly, to make known the mystery of
the Gospel."
cc: Is there anything you
would like to say to a non-believer
who runs?
pn: Running is a wise
decision, but the wisest decision one
could ever make is to trust Jesus
Christ as Savior. God says that "all
have sinned" (Romans3:23), and all deserve
God's judgment, but "God commendeth His
love toward us, in that, while we
were yet sinners, Christ died for us"
(Romans 5:8). If you believe that Jesus
died for you, you can ask God
for forgiveness, and He will give you
everlasting life through Christ!
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Webmaster's Note:
Patrick is a co-chaplain for SWFTR and
lives in Garden City. He is also
race director for Marion's Run in Lakin,
held on Memorial Day.