Why I'm running
with Jesus
Simon Cooper
Back in 2021, I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease and had to take up running to try and manage my condition. The more I ran, the faster I got, but as I developed more, I found the runs more challenging.
Whenever it became tough, I learnt to pray. As I ran, I suffered, but then I persevered, which grew my character, and reminded me that I have hope - in Jesus.
Because I am a Christian, I knew that if I kept focused on Jesus as I ran, it would become a joy. And as I ran, and prayed, I began to hear him speak to me, reminding me that he would never leave me and that I had great worth to Him - a precious child not defined by my medical issues. That's what made a terminal condition manageable. With Him, all things are possible. As I ran with Jesus, I realised all suffering was temporary and hope in Jesus meant that the race would have a finish that was worth getting to.
Lee Matthews
I lived the first 36–37 years of my life my own way, convinced I knew best.
Like so many others, I chased fulfilment through success—business, money, girls, status. I worked hard to build something, to be someone. But deep down, I was still searching. And no matter how much I achieved or acquired, it was never enough.
Eventually, the pressure of one business—along with the stress, anxiety, and constant striving—caught up with me. I cracked under the weight. That season opened the door to alcohol and drugs as a way to cope. Things spiralled fast and hard. Eventually, I lost everything. I hit bankruptcy. I hit rock bottom.
At that point, I was ready to end it all.
But God had another plan.
He placed a man in my life who didn’t just walk past my pain. He saw me. And he gave me his time. Week after week, this man shared with me about Jesus—who He is, what He’s done, and how much He loves me.
Three months into those weekly meetings, I had a powerful and terrifying experience. I took magic mushrooms, overdosed, and ended up having intense visions. In that moment, it was like my eyes were opened. I realised—we are spiritual beings. That trip pointed directly back to the things Rob had been telling me: that there’s more to this life, and that Jesus really is who He says He is.
A month later, I got baptised.
Since then, I’ve been on a journey of discovering who I am, who God created me to be, and what true purpose looks like.
I’ve come to believe that real purpose only comes through relationship—a personal relationship with God through Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, where we learn to walk in love, truth, discipline, and freedom. It’s not about religion. It’s about restoration. Redemption. Transformation.
Now I spend my life helping others discover what I’ve discovered:
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I run.
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I coach.
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I build community.
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I lead others out of darkness and into light.
I’ve created spaces for people to be real, to grow, to heal, and to thrive—through brotherhood, accountability, ministry, fitness, and a whole new way of life.
As a father of two amazing girls, I know I have to be the example. They’re watching. I want to show them what it looks like to be strong, kind, faithful, and full of purpose—not because I’ve got it all together, but because I’ve surrendered my life to the One who does.
Jesus gives me everything I need.
He’s my foundation, my peace, my reason. His Word gives me the blueprint for how to live. And by following Him, I’ve become a better father, friend, son, brother, businessman, and leader.
Because we’re called to lead by example—so that others can catch the vision and walk in it too.
From brokenness
to purpose in Jesus
Running giving God the Glory
Matt Adcock
I found running before I found Jesus but now, I truly know where my identity and worth is and where real happiness and joy can be found – in relationship with Jesus.
I began running in 2003, in it I found community and purpose. It solved some of the issues in my life, it stopped me drinking too much and the poor choices that would follow.
I was reasonably successful, even winning races in my county but I still had a sense that there was more to our time on earth than chasing earthly success, however healthy it seemed.
I knew God was never far away, as my Grandad was a Pastor, but I had rejected God in my teens and twenties, when my lifestyle was far from how God wanted me to live. After reconnecting with my Grandad, he gently answered my questions, leading me back to God in 2007, when I was baptised and handed God control of my life.
I’d love to the say the story from there is simple but as a sinner, I still spent time when I wasn’t walking closely with Jesus and prioritised my success over sharing the Gospel.
Thankfully God is patient and merciful and has led me through challenges. That has been in competition and spells of injury, where He is always alongside me. One of my favourite verses is Daniel 3:25, which inspired the Hillsong track “Another in the fire”, mean God is always with us in the trial.
More importantly He has drawn me close to Him as I explore how I could use my love of running (and now swimming and cycling) to work better for His Glory.
It has taken me some time to develop what you might call a ‘theology of running’ but now I’m beginning to fully realise how I can fulfil His purposes through running.
Eric Liddell said “I believe God made me for a purpose. He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure”, I’m truly beginning to live in that now, with His help. Whether I win or lose, run well or not so well, He wants to use it.
Dr. Selina Stone says, “The body is a vessel for worship…this is about recognising the body as a place of encounter with God, and particularly the Spirit”. Hebrews says, “…offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship” and in Corinthians we’re told “you were bought at a price. Therefore, honour God with your bodies”. All these things started to come together to assure me that I could use running to His glory.
However, I yearned to do more for Him, inspired by Romans 10:15 “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” I was convicted that I had to start using my running to spread the hope and Good News of a life lived with Jesus to the running community. I now race wearing His name on my back and through Running with Jesus am trying to be intentional about sharing His message at every event I’m at. I pray that I can inspire Christian runners to become evangelists and to have conversations with as many people that don’t yet know Jesus as I can.
I continue to fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) but take comfort in the runners prayer that says “Lord if you keep picking up my feet. I’ll keep putting them down!”
