One of the most unique sporting events in the world did not begin as a sporting event. Each year riders and their dogs race more than 1000 miles for several weeks through the Alaskan snow from Anchorage to Nome for the Iditarod, the famous dog race. * They have come a long way over the years and now fans can track the teams online.

The “birth” of the Iditarod was over a very serious event. In 1925, hundreds of children in Nome had been exposed to diphtheria. At this point in history, children around the world died from the highly contagious disease because widespread vaccinations had not yet been introduced. The only serum to combat the disease was far away in Anchorage. To get the serum to Nome quickly, it was first carried by train to Nenana. Then teams of riders (known as mushers) and their dogs, strategically placed along the path, carried the serum to Nome via a relay.

More than 150 dogs and 20 mushers were involved in the heroic efforts, which became called “The Great Race of Mercy.” With passion and intensity, the mushers hurtled the 300,000 units of life-saving serum across the Alaskan countryside, arriving in Nome in only 127 hours-a record that has yet to be broken. By combining the right medicine with radical effort, an entire generation was rescued, and the riders and their dogs became heroes. ** Also ***

The point of this story being used in Matt’s book is the essential coordination of a far more important effort: reaching our children with the medicine-the message of Jesus-to save them from a far more deadlier disease (sin).

To say I had trouble with this chapter would be an understatement. Not because I disagree with the coordinated effort between pulpit and classroom, but because his approach does not apply to us or appeal to our way of doing things. One thing I have found is each church must do what best fits its culture. To copy the approach The Village Church (the church Matt pastors) uses would be wrong. And out of place at OVCF. Our Sunday morning youth program is a stand alone effort. Ryan is coordinating his Sunday night youth study with The Great Adventure this semester. It works for us.

How does your church work? Is everything coordinated from the pulpit on down?

* I used to watch it a little on TV. Fascinating

** The movie Balto was loosely based on this event.

***Iron Will has a similar theme, except it is to keep the farm.