Special to The Sentinel
KANSAS CITY -- Canton native Jill Ewert, a 2010 qualifier for the Boston Marathon, will be taking part in the annual 26.2-mile race in order to raise funds and awareness for Campus Crusade for Christ Military Ministry.
“Military Ministry does so much to bless our troops -- it’s absolutely incredible,” said Ewert, who graduated from Canton-Galva High School in 1998 and the University of Kansas in 2002 before moving to Kansas City to work for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). “Every day the demand on their ministry grows, and I’m just blown away by all the needs they are meeting for our troops.”
A four-time marathoner, Ewert qualified for Boston -- one of the five world marathon majors—in 2008, but was forced to sit out in 2009 due to injury. Now, Ewert, daughter of the late Robert Ewert -- a Vietnam veteran -- is using her second year of qualification to run for a purpose.
“My dad instilled in me such an appreciation for our military and our country’s freedom,” said Ewert, currently the editor of FCA’s Sharing the Victory magazine. “Missing the race in 2009 was hard, but it turned out to be a blessing because of what we’re doing now. There’s no way to repay our troops for what they do, but this is one small way I can show my appreciation.”
Established in 1964 by Campus Crusade founder Bill Bright, Military Ministry operates under the direction of Executive Director Major General Robert F. Dees (U.S. Army, Retired). With a staff of roughly 400, the ministry works to meet the spiritual needs of U.S. service men and women from every branch.
As the largest ministry to the armed forces, Military Ministry sends Bibles and small-group study materials to deployed military personnel, works with chaplains and commanders of all branches, hosts marriage retreats for military couples and families, offers training and counseling for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, services a call-in center for distressed military members and families, and also provides resources for churches and counselors wanting to reach the veterans and active duty troops in their congregations and communities.
“It’s amazing what Military Ministry is able to do with a small staff,” Ewert said. “With today’s current world climate and so many deployments, there is always one more Bible to be sent, one more chaplain needed, one more marriage retreat to be held. Whatever money we can raise will certainly be put to good use.”
The Boston Marathon will take place on April 19 and will be televised nationally. Ewert will be running in the blue and white Military Ministry colors and hopes to be racing with the confidence of knowing she hit her goal of raising $10,000 for the organization.
Her first fund-raising event, a dessert and coffee information night, will be held in McPherson on March 13 at 7 p.m. at the local coffee shop The Well and is open to the public.
