Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Go10 Walk?
- Why 2,500 Miles?
- How can such a major project be successful?
- How will the money be raised and contributed?
- What if an individual desires to contribute but does not have access to the Internet or desires to make a contribution in ways other than those available online?
- Does each walker have a target amount of money to raise?
- What will be done with the money the students raise?
- How do we sign up to participate?
- Can I insure that our group walks at the time requested?
- What if a group (youth, class, etc.) desires to conduct a trip to the Washington D.C. and/or the New York City area and participate there?
- How was the route determined?
- Why does the route from Georgia to Oklahoma go through New York?
- Can more than four people walk on a single segment?
- Is there an age requirement for walkers?
- Since the walk starts in April and school is still in session until late May in most states, what kind of participation do we expect from students?
- Can churches adopt a segment and walk together?
- We've reviewed the route and do not live anywhere near it, how can we participate?
- What happens during adverse weather conditions?
- Should we encourage media (newspapers, radio, TV) attention in our area?
What is the Go10 Walk?
The purpose is to challenge young people to consider their role in reaching the nations with the gospel in their generation. The year 2010 is the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of our modern missions program. Laura Belle Barnard was sent out as our first missionary to India in 1935. To commemorate this event, we are challenging FWB young people to a life-changing commitment. They will be asked to commit to walk a 10-mile segment of a 2,500-mile course. Teens will also commit to a 40-day prayer and devotional journey in preparation for the walk.
Why 2,500 Miles?
Laura Belle Barnard traveled nearly 10,000 miles on her entire journey to India. Since the walk calls for at least four participants to walk each 10-mile segment, the total miles walked will be a symbolic equivalent of her sacrificial journey to the people of India (2,500 x 4 = 10,000). This generation, by walking 2,500-miles in groups of four, is saying, “We are committed to do our part, as she did in her generation, to reach the unreached!”
How can such a major project be successful?
The Go10 Walk is a major undertaking. It can only be successful if Free Will Baptists all over the country become involved. We need 13 Regional Coordinators who are willing to plan and oversee the major sections of the walk. We also need 85 Day Coordinators who will agree to plan and manage the three segments walked on their specific day. We need youth pastors to promote the walk and to coordinate their students’ involvement. We need pastors, parents, and church leaders to be excited and encourage their young people to get involved. And, of course, we need 1,000+ students who are willing to “go 10” miles so that people around the world can hear the gospel. Only together can we do something as amazing as the Go10 Walk!
How will the money be raised and contributed?
We prefer funds be raised through the Go10 Walk website. Each student who participates will register on the site and have an individual page where sponsors can contribute. No pledges or collections—people simply give through the site to sponsor their walker. Each walker’s page will have a running total to indicate how much of his funding has been received.
What if an individual desires to contribute but does not have access to the Internet or desires to make a contribution in ways other than those available online?
We do not want to discourage anyone from participating in this endeavor for our Lord. Contributors can contact the Go10 Team in any of the following ways: e-mail—Go10walk@fwbgo.com, telephone—(877) 767-7737, or mail—Free Will Baptist International Missions, P. O. Box 5002, Antioch, TN 37011-5002. We will make the appropriate arrangements. Regardless of the way the contribution is received we want to be sure credit is given to the appropriate walker and/or church.
Does each walker have a target amount of money to raise?
Since Go10 is about much more than money, we want everyone to participate. In order to reach the $500,000 goal, we are praying for 1,000 walkers to raise $500 each. This is critical, because a donor has agreed to match what the students raise—up to $500,000—making the walk total $1,000,000! Every walker is challenged to set as high a goal as possible.
What will be done with the money the students raise?
Many student fundraisers focus on something tangible – often humanitarian. It’s not unusual for young people to raise money for shoes, medical assistance, digging wells, and other worthy efforts. In the spirit of Laura Belle Barnard and her intrepid journey to reach the lost in India, Go10 is focused on reaching the unreached with the gospel. FWBIM is currently involved in worldwide efforts to take the gospel to people who have never heard. We want to inspire this generation to care, not just for the physical needs of people, but also for their need to know the Savior. The 40-day journal and teaching components of Go10 will introduce participants to the concept of “unreached people” and their great need for the gospel. We hope students will raise at least $500,000 to change lives all over the world through church planting efforts among unreached people.
How do we sign up to participate?
Follow the instructions on the Go10 website. You will receive a confirmation letter via e-mail and a future contact by a Go10 day coordinator in your area. An alternative enrollment method is to download the PDF file from the website, and mail the completed form to Free Will Baptist International Missions, P. O. Box 5002, Antioch, TN 37011-5002. Each walker’s pastor will also receive an informational letter.
Can I insure that our group walks at the time requested?
We anticipate accommodating churches, youth groups, and schools, on the date, time, and segment they desire. In the unlikely event we encounter a conflict, a change might be necessary; but we will make every effort to accommodate the specific request. The regional and day coordinators will help to balance the walkers throughout the route and work to overcome these issues.
What if a group (youth, class, etc.) desires to conduct a trip to the Washington D.C. and/or the New York City area and participate there?
We encourage such outings. It will promote the benefit of a collective experience, while at the same time insuring adequate coverage throughout areas with a limited number of churches.
How was the route determined?
The planning team continues to plan the best route for walking (not driving). Security and walker safety are high priorities in route selection. To make sure no hazards or surprises occur along the way, the Go10 team will explore every segment of the walk in advance. We have actually driven the route and continue to make small changes as conditions change. We expect Day and Regional Coordinators to assist us in local decisions if the primary route develops an emergency situation on the days leading up to that segment of the walk. We have produced information to distribute to law enforcement along the route to inform them of our plans and activities.
Why does the route from Georgia to Oklahoma go through New York?
The starting point is actually the church in Glennville, GA, that Laura Belle Barnard attended before being called to be a missionary to India in 1935. We have events planned along the way to commemorate major steps in her life: Columbia, SC—attended college, Black Jack FWB Church, Greenville, NC—commissioned, New York, NY—departed for India, and Nashville, TN—taught college. Finally, we travel through Tulsa, OK, where International Missions will meet a week before our National Convention in Oklahoma City, OK. An overview of each of the above events can be found on the Go10 website with specifics about each event.
Can more than four people walk on a single segment?
We anticipate that many segments can accommodate additional participants. The first priority is to make sure at least four walkers are assigned to every segment. Some segments might not allow for more than four walkers due to traffic flow and safety issues. Regional and day coordinators will make these decisions. Details will be worked out in advance.
Is there an age requirement for walkers?
The Go10 Walk is a youth-initiative symbolic of the commitment of teens to continue the legacy of the 75-year FWB missions advance. However, there is room to accommodate participants of all ages. All underage walkers will be required to secure the permission of parents or guardians to participate, and any walkers younger than 13 will be required to have an adult accompany them throughout the walk.
Since the walk starts in April and school is still in session until late May in most states, what kind of participation do we expect from students?
It is our hope that this event is significant enough to encourage all students to participate, especially in Christian day schools, high schools, and colleges. We feel this event will be a special day in each participant’s life; a time to not just walk, but to reflect on themselves and how they carry the message of our Lord to others, both locally and around the world. Since we have three segments each day, the afternoon segment will accommodate a student attending school, while those being homeschooled will be encouraged to participate in the morning hours. However, we hope parents and students will consider this day differently and allow people to participate. Of course, on specific school holidays, i.e., teacher-only planning days, student release days, etc., we encourage participation. Finally, we hope Saturdays will have a major turnout. Note: the early segments of the walk (those scheduled while school is in session) are in areas with high concentrations of Free Will Baptist churches. This allows for less travel time to walk sites.
Can churches adopt a segment and walk together?
Absolutely! We encourage people to consider this option. If a class, group of senior citizens, team, etc., wants to participate, we welcome them as a group or individuals on the walk and prayer times. We just need to plan which segment will best fit your request.
We’ve reviewed the route and do not live anywhere near it, how can we participate?
We encourage you to plan a trip to a segment of the walk where there are few or no Free Will Baptist churches. If that is not possible, a number of churches throughout the country are planning events, including other walks, runs, special days, etc. We plan to list all the ancillary events around the country, regardless of location, on the website. We also plan to have a section on the website to provide the 40-day journal/devotional and other helpful materials. These extra events will be a valuable part of our overall goals for the Go10 effort!
What happens during adverse weather conditions?
We do plan to walk through less than ideal conditions. Our plan is for the Day and Regional Coordinators to develop alternate sites in the event of unfavorable weather conditions. An alternative site—i.e., a church, gym, mall, school track, etc.—will be chosen so the walk can continue. We encourage walkers to pay close attention to the weather and dress accordingly.
Should we encourage media (newspapers, radio, TV) attention in our area?
We plan to contact media outlets located throughout the area and have media press releases available for those interested. If you have specific contacts with the media in your area, we would like to send them information for their specific publication or outlet. Plans are to use space in FWB state and association newsletters throughout the country. Information will be available for those publications over the months leading to the start of the walk in each area. We will also have information available for church bulletins located on our website. Specific questions can be directed to the Go10 team.