Capital Community Church Sponsors 5K Run to Build Haitian Orphanage

“A Father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows is God in His holy habitation” - Psalm 68:5.

By Samantha Francis

CCC Prayer Coordinator

On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck the island nation of Haiti causing catastrophic damage in the capital city and neighboring areas.  Labeled one of the deadliest earthquakes of all time, it is estimated that over 316,000 people were killed, over 300,000 injured and over 1,000,000 left homeless. This amount of damage anywhere would be devastating, but to the already poverty stricken country, this earthquake was absolutely debilitating.  Over the last two and a half years, the governments of the world have come together to support this nation in an attempt to try to rebuild the country’s crumbled infrastructure with the goal of creating a more resilient system to prevent future losses of life.  Unfortunately, even with this support, the people of Haiti are still in great need of many basic necessities that many in America take for granted such as stable/permanent shelter, clean water and food, access to proper hygiene, healthcare, education, and most of all security. 

In May 2012, Capital Community Church (CCC) sent a team of doctors, nurses, and volunteers to Bon Repos, Haiti for a Missions Trip to provide healthcare to this heavily affected area. The team worked alongside a local humanitarian network to create four temporary clinics and provided healthcare services to over 1,000 people including many orphans.  During the trip, it was discovered that much of the health issues could be prevented or cured by proper hygiene and basic care.  If these children could be provided a safe, stable, and well equipped home to care and nurture them after the loss of their families, it would drastically improve their lives.   

Among the top priorities of God in scripture regarding societal needs is taking care of the fatherless/orphans.   In fact, God describes himself as “A Father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows” (Psalm 68:5).  This is an issue that is very dear to His heart as is evident in the Law of Moses and other books of the Bible.  Orphans are the most vulnerable in any society and even more so in poverty stricken nations.  Thus in His great wisdom and compassion God made provision in His word for their care. 

The Almighty declares that He would bless adherents to this command of seeing to the welfare of the fatherless.   In Deuteronomy 24:19, the Bible states, “When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”

In response to God’s command and in a demonstration of compassion toward our fellow man, CCC has organized The Running Home for Haiti 5K Run aimed at raising funds to purchase land in Haiti to build an orphanage and a school to care for some of the poorest of the poor.  The building project, called One Sparrow, has a goal of raising $80,000. The 5K is being held specifically to raise half the total, $40,000, to purchase the land to begin the process.  This orphanage would hopefully end the constant cycle of displacement that some of these children face and provide the education needed for a brighter future.

The mission is not only to construct a building, but to build a community that will benefit future generations.   Chester Mitchell, Senior Pastor of CCC who was the lead pastor on the May 2012 trip to Haiti, stated, “It was no accident that Jesus told us the story of The Good Samaritan.  The clear teaching is simply that we have a responsibility to do all we can to make a difference wherever we see people who are hurting!  I have seen first-hand the grave need of the Haitian people. CCC is convinced that by partnering with our community we can bring hope.”

CCC is hosting this first Annual One Sparrow 5K Run on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 8 am, starting at the church grounds in Ashburn.  A one mile, untimed “Family Fun Run” will also take place and will begin immediately after the start of the 5K race.  The entire family is invited to participate; strollers and baby joggers are welcome!  The first 300 registered children for the Family Fun Run will receive a finisher’s award.  Immediately following the race and awards ceremony, there will be a Community Festival on the church grounds featuring local restaurants and fun activities for the kids!  Activities include the family 40-yard dash challenge, football training village, teen paintball target practice, moon bounce, kid’s obstacle course, and cotton candy and popcorn station.  

There are several sponsorship levels for the event that will fit any marketing objective and budget.  Sponsorship will be attained by combining cash and in-kind contributions accepted at 100% of the retail value.  The Planning Committee is anticipating 1,000 participants for the race, with an additional 1,000 to attend the community festival requiring over 1,000 racer goody bags and t-shirts.  For community marketing and outreach, an anticipated 10,000 race postcards will be mailing out to the Ashburn Village community and 1,000 road closing flyers distributed with coupons.  

The completed sponsorship form and sponsorship payment must be received by February 28, 2013 for a sponsor to fully participate in all promotional opportunities, though applications will be accepted up to two weeks prior to the race day.  Sponsorship levels range from Platinum Sponsor at a cost of $5,000 to Community Sponsor at a cost of Cost $300.  Logos will be listed on the race website and sponsors may provide one promotional item for race bags.  Sponsors will also receive a “Proud Sponsor” window cling for their store-front.  Additionally, one race registration will be provided to the sponsor for participation in either the 5K race or the one mile (2.5K) Family Fun Run.  For more information please visit www.onesparrowdc.org.

About Capital Community Church

Capital Community Church http://www.capitalcommunity.org is located at 20430 Ashburn Village Blvd. in Ashburn, VA.  The congregation was founded in 1996 by Senior Pastor Chester Mitchell and First Lady Marion Mitchell.  The leadership team consists of Pastors Stephen O’Donnell, Anthony Francis, Terrence Bridges and Jon-Paul Bellamy.  The assembly of approximately 500 attends three weekly services held on Sundays, including a Spanish speaking service on Sunday afternoons.