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Greeted
by cheers, banners and a small choir of kazoos,
15-year-old Mike Durbin took the final steps of his
500-mile walk from Whitehouse, Texas, to the Assemblies
of God headquarters in Spring-field, Missouri, on
Wednesday, July 1, 2009.
His incredible I Will Walk journey was a God-inspired
endeavour to raise funds and awareness for Speed the
Light, the AG student-initiated program that provides
missionaries with vehicles and other much-needed
equipment.
Earlier this year, Mike attended a Speed the Light
conference, where Speed the Light Director Chet Caudill
challenged students to make sacrifices for their faith.
Gripped by Caudill's message, Mike knew he wanted to do
something.
When he discovered that the Speed the Light headquarters
were located 500 miles from his home in Texas, he began
to toy with the idea of walking there. Mike prayed,
"God, if you want me to do that, I'll do it."
The next morning Mike told his dad, Big Mike, that he
believed God was leading him to walk 500 miles for Speed
the Light. Although Big Mike initially felt a journey of
that magnitude would require a miracle, he supported his
son's walk of faith and plans for I Will Walk were soon
underway.
Joined by his uncle, Marccus Durbin, Mike officially
departed on his journey on June 1. As they walked, they
encountered intense summer heat, tornado warnings and
even a few dog chases. Big Mike and Mike's
eight-year-old brother Dalton drove ahead and planned
out the duo's daily walking itinerary.
Mike and Marccus walked an average of 20 miles each day,
a feat that took a physical and mental toll as the weeks
went by. However, Mike is not one unfamiliar with
challenges.
Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age five,
at one time, Mike was given less than a five percent
chance of survival. Against all odds, Mike has indeed
survived. "The way we see it," Mike explains, "God
doesn't save you from something, He saves you for
something. I knew as I was walking that this is what He
saved me for."
Along his 500-mile route, Mike spoke at churches and
youth groups, but the message of I Will Walk extended
far beyond church walls. Through Mike's daily
interactions, many opportunities arose for him to share
his faith. He was even able to lead a man to Christ
outside of a Starbucks.
Mike completed his 500th mile in front of AG
headquarters, where a number of employees had gathered,
including members of the Executive Leadership Team and
national youth ministries staff. Caudill welcomed Mike
and told the crowd that the dedication and sacrifice of
students like Mike is what makes Speed the Light
possible.
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