LA MIRADA, CALIF., Sept. 20, 2012 — London 2012 Olympian and alumna Amy Atkinson (’11) will run alongside Biola University president Barry H. Corey in the 2nd Annual Biola 5K Run/Walk, “Run for Micah 6:8,” on Oct. 6. This year, all proceeds will benefit the student led Social Justice Ministry (SJM) that combats human trafficking and partners with Prison Fellowship.
Commencing at 8 a.m. in conjunction with Biola Weekend — an annual homecoming event for alumni and friends — students and the surrounding community are invited to join in the fun by running or donating towards the cause. Student and former SJM president, Amanda Andrews, is organizing the 5K run with her parents, alumni Duane and Becky Andrews. Andrews helped developed the relationship between SJM and Prison Fellowship, a ministry started by Chuck Colson.
SJM has two branches of outreach: human trafficking and serving in local prisons. Through these two branches, SJM seeks to reflect God's heart for both justice and mercy. The human trafficking team volunteers with Compton Police and local churches to minister to victims in Compton's prostitution ring, rallies support for the CASE Act, and writes "Letters of Hope" to victims of trafficking at the LA Dream Center. The Prison Ministry is involved with Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree, Get on the Bus, and Operation Safehouse for Riverside's at risk youth. Both branches also serve orphans, trafficking victims, and detainees at a Youth Immigration Detention Center in Fullerton.
Participants will receive an event t-shirt and enjoy live music. Prizes will be awarded for best female and male times, best alumni and parent times in addition to more fun categories – stay tuned for details. A ministry fair featuring student and alumni ministries will await you at the finish line. Guest runners $10; students $5; children under 10 free. Registration begins at 7:00 am at the Bell Tower.
For press inquiries, contact Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator, at jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu or 562.777.4061.
About Biola University
Biola University, named one of 17 “up and coming” national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2011, is a private Christian university located in Southern California. For more than 100 years, Biola has remained committed to its mission of biblically centered education, integrating biblical principles with every academic program. With a current record-high enrollment of 6,250 students, the university’s six schools offer 145 academic programs, ranging from the B.A. to the Ph.D. For more information, visit www.biola.edu.