Indiana—We are spiritual beings. We were created to love, serve and praise our God. Everyone has been given gifts and talents they should use to edify the church and bring glory to God. We focus on spiritual gifts such as teaching, prophesying, preaching and service, but we don't often spend time explaining how we can use other gifts and talents for God. How does a young person who is an athlete, artist and/or musician understand this? It was upon contemplating this that Greg Taylor, Glendale Church youth pastor, says, "I decided to put my money where my mouth was."

Taylor has been a runner for many years. He says, "After running a marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio, last May, I decided my next one would be the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon on Oct. 17, 2009. Right after I signed up, I started thinking of ways I could do it for God. I was impressed to start a fundraiser entitled 'Marathon with a Mission.'"

When Taylor spoke to the students at Indianapolis Junior Academy, they partnered with him by simply making phone calls and asking parents, grandparents and family friends to pledge money per mile to raise funds for their school. Taylor says, "I was shocked how simple this was. The day after we launched 'Marathon with a Mission,' a student approached me and told me she already had five sponsors, and by the time of the marathon she had ten. By the end of the fundraiser, we had received $1,600 in pledges for our school."

Taylor says, "It is so important to not only share with our young people the importance of using our gifts and talents to serve God, but to demonstrate it. It is my prayer that as a church we continually look for ways to utilize our God-given gifts and talents to serve others in our church and in our community."

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).

Judith Yeoman, correspondent, Indiana Conference, as shared by Gregory S. Taylor, youth pastor, Glendale Church