By Danny Federico Riverbend News
Calling all racers to the starting line; the Callie Jordan Mission Fund 5K Fun Run/Walk is about to begin! On Saturday, May 22, racers and spectators will be able to gather at Heritage Park and Gardens for a day of fun, while being able to support the Callie Jordan Mission Fund.
Callie Jordan, a 15-year-old from Sweetwater, Tenn., was killed while on a mission trip in Mexico in 2019. Part of the student missions intern team for the Suwannee Mission Baptist Association, the group was heading to Guadalajara to work with some friends. While passing through a remote village, they decided to take a break.
"About five minutes after our stop, I heard a loud crack and a tree fell on our bus," said Andy Jordan, Callie's grandfather and the Missions Catalyst for the Suwannee Missionary Baptist Association, in a promotional video for the fun run. The tree completely crushed the bus, he said. Callie, who was standing near the rear of the bus, suffered a head injury from the tree and later died.
"She had a simple, but deep faith. It wasn't complicated," Andy said in the promotional video. "Her focus in life at that time was clear; she knew who she was in Christ. She wanted to serve the Lord, she wanted to share Christ's love with others and she wanted to make a difference in this world."
The Callie Jordan Mission Fund was created by Roger Hutto, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Jasper, on July 2, 2019. "This fund will create a scholarship in her memory for those being sent by the Suwannee Missionary Baptist Association," the GoFundMe description states. "These funds will enable those who share her heart but might not be able to afford the cost to go on a mission for Christ."
On Saturday, May 22, a 5K Fun Run/Walk will allow people to donate to the Callie Jordan Mission Fund. The event will take place at Heritage Park and Gardens, located at 1004 Helvenston St. SE, in Live Oak. Registration will open at 8 a.m. and the one mile Kids Fun Run will begins at 8:30 a.m. The 5K Fun Run/Walk will begin at 9 a.m. Following the races will be an awards ceremony and an after party, which will go from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bounce houses, food, live praise and worship music, along with much more, will be available for attendees to enjoy.
Those interested in participating in the races can register online or the day of. The price for adults (ages 14 and over) to take part in the 5K Fun Run/Walk is $35 and the price for kids (ages 13 and under) is $5. To register online, please visit www.raceentry.com/races/callie-jordan-mission-fund-5k/2021/register. All proceeds will benefit the Callie Jordan Mission Fund.
To donate directly to the fund, visit www.gofundme.com/f/callie-jordan-memorial-scholarship-for-missions.
For more information, please call (386) 209-4007 or (386) 590-2232.