Inspire, Summer 2010

campus news your source for what ’ s new and exciting at C edarville U niversity Running for Freedom Twenty-seven million: the number of people enslaved in the world today. One particularly sobering group represented in that number are those held in the bondage of sex trafficking. On March 27, Cedarville students gave these victims a voice. Members of Cedarville’s collegiate chapter of International Justice Mission (IJM) organized the Possible Impossibilities 10K to raise funding and awareness. IJM is a human rights organization that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and other forms of violent oppression. On race morning, nearly 600 participants arrived, ready to run for freedom. Runners from the local community, area colleges, and even other states joined hundreds of Cedarville students. Dr. Bill Brown, University president, and Bob Rohm ’68, vice president for Christian ministries, participated in the race, along with many faculty and staff members. The event raised more than $22,000 for Gracehaven, a safe house in Columbus, Ohio, that provides rehabilitation and shelter for girls under the age of 18 who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The only faith-based organization of its kind in Ohio, Grace- haven provides its residents with education, mentoring, counseling, job training, and the opportunity to hear about the hope found in Christ. The money raised through the 10K will be used to install a sprinkler system at Gracehaven as part of its home-renovation project. Choosing a 10K as the format for this fundraiser was a strategic choice on the part of Cedarville’s IJM chapter. Reaching a goal — whether training for a race or overcoming oppression — requires perseverance, hard work, discipline, and community support. On a very basic level, the race allowed participants, in a sense, to walk in the shoes of trafficked girls. Jen Mukes ’10, event organizer, hoped the 10K would help participants develop greater sympathy toward those desperate to overcome their frightening circumstances. Following the event, Cedarville’s IJM chapter received a letter from the Ohio Senate commending them for organizing the race. “It was encouraging to see that Cedarville students were so supportive of a student-led project,” shared Jen, “and were willing to raise awareness on issues that are so close to the heart of God.” “The race allowed participants, in a sense, to walk in the shoes of trafficked girls.” 2 SUMMER 2010