Interview for Chaplains' Corner by
Patrick Nath
cc: When did you receive
Christ as your Savior?
rw: Unfortunately I can't
remember the exact time, day or where
I was at the first time I asked
Christ in my heart, but it was
probably in Sunday school class or while
I was praying before going to sleep
at night, sometime when I was younger,
middle grade school age maybe. The
thing I know most though is that
I have continued to grow with Christ
in my heart. I'm thankful I was
raised in a Christian home and that
I had the chance to hear about
Jesus when I was young. Probably the
other most important time in my walk
with Christ was when I went to
a Fellowship of Christian Athlete's running
camp in Indiana as a huddle leader
when I was in college. During that
week I realized I not only wanted
to have Christ in my heart but
to serve Him in whatever ways and
opportunities He may give me.
cc: What types of church
ministry do you participate in?
rw: I am a youth
group leader at the First United Methodist
Church in Ashland. We meet once a
week and it has been an incredible
blessing for me. I'm so thankful I
have the chance to work with some
incredible jr. high and high school age
kids. Also I'm the Huddle Coach for
our high school Fellowship of Christian
Athlete's Huddle.
cc: How long have you
been running?
rw: I started running track
in jr. high and then ran cross
country my first two years in high
school along with track four years.
Then I went to Fort Hays State
and ran cross country, indoor and outdoor
track for four seasons each. That is
when I really got involved seriously.
cc: What are your most
memorable experiences in running?
rw: Qualifying for Nationals
in cross country and indoor track while
I was at FHSU and also qualifying
for and competing at the Drake Relays
my junior and senior years in college.
There are so many memorable moments
but now some of the most memorable
are the times spent with friends on
runs or at races.
cc: How does running affect
your Faith in Christ?
rw: It really strengthens
my faith in the fact that I know
that God has given me the ability
to run as I'm so thankful for the
opportunities He has given me through
running. If it wasn't for God's blessings
I know I wouldn't have been able
to do the things that I have.
cc: Are there any special
things you think or pray about when
running?
rw: This may sound different
but a lot of times when I run
is a time I listen to what God
is telling me. During long hard runs
when I get really tired seems like
a time that God can really put
something on my heart. I think part
of it is that I'm so tired I'm
not telling or asking God something so
I'm quiet and just listen to what
He is telling me. I always know
He is with me but some of the
times I feel closest to God is
while I'm out running in the country
with no one else but Him and me.
cc: Do you have a
favorite bible verse?
rw: One of my favorites
was a verse we had at a summer
FCA camp theme and it is Phillipians
3:14 -- "I press on toward the
goal to win the prize for which
God has called me heavenward in Christ
Jesus."
cc: Is there anything you
would like to say to a non-believer
who runs?
rw: As much enjoyment you
feel through running and the things associated
with it, it in no way even compares
to the joy and feeling of having
Jesus in your heart.
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Webmaster's Note:
Rick directs occasional road races at
Ashland, KS.