Together 2023: Stepping out in love

Rob Moye runs through the inspiration behind the Big Stride Challenge at Together 2023.

‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples’ (John 13:34 and 35). Jesus’ words are a call to action – to love wholeheartedly, compassionately and sacrificially. This is a call to love God and demonstrate that love to others because people in our communities desperately need to hear this good news and receive this unconditional love.

Paul said ‘the love of Christ compels us’ (2 Corinthians 5:14 New King James Version), and we can’t – and mustn’t – hold back from showing others this love in action.

During Together 2023, we have some incredible mission opportunities to demonstrate that love to others, be salt to flavour our communities and live as light to brighten the darkness. How can you share that joy during the weekend?

Sign up and be part of the Big Stride Challenge and impact your community through sport by running, jogging or walking 5km. Enjoy the fresh air, have fun and use this challenge to invite your neighbours, friends and family to join you. You might wish to use the challenge to help fundraise for The Salvation Army’s vital work with people in need across the UK and Republic of Ireland, but this is not compulsory.

On Saturday 15 July at 8.30am, there will be a group of people leaving from the front of Fairfield Halls, the main venue for the weekend, to enjoy the 5km run and/ or walk together – look out for the people in the Go! Team Sally Army tops.

Also on the Saturday, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, there will be a community festival in Queen’s Gardens, opposite Fairfield Halls. There will be live music, pop-up sports, fun and creative activities for the whole family, a muddy walk as we consider caring for creation, plus lots of other ways to engage and be a blessing to others!

Celebration comes from the human spirit, and we want people to get a glimpse of what the Kingdom of God is like through creativity, celebration and community – where everyone is included and people form positive relationships.

Jesus said: ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10). We want people to experience this fullness of life for themselves, both during the weekend and beyond the event, as we each live out this life of mission.

To take part in the Big Stride Challenge, head to The Big Stride. The challenge is not restricted to the event itself, as we want as many people and communities across the territory to be impacted by it as possible. Therefore, if you cannot be at Together 2023 in person, why not go to a local event in your community and seek to engage with what God is already doing in your area? You could create a fun run yourself and consider how others in your corps and community might get involved and demonstrate God’s extravagant, invitational love to others.

Remember: mission begins at your front doorstep, so come on, get involved!