The New Testament exhorts believers to “run the race.” For one Kentucky Baptist that became a literal necessity this past Sunday (Nov. 9).
Harold Best, who serves as financial support and pastoral wellness consultant for the Kentucky Baptist Convention, ran into unexpected roadblocks Sunday morning on his way to preach at Burlington Baptist Church.
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Best, who pastored Burlington from 2019–2022, was on his way to preach at the church when he discovered that streets were blocked — earlier than he had expected — because of a mini-marathon and 5K race. Every route he could take was blocked off by cones to accommodate the runners. Best said he was tempted to slip through one of the barricades — until a police officer warned, “If you cross that barrier I am giving you a ticket.”
Best asked race workers if there was a way anyone could get close enough to the route to pick him up. The request was met with shrugged shoulders. That left him with one alternative. Best started walking. Soon, he was running.
Best jogged at least two miles, wearing a suit and carrying a backpack — dodging race runners along the way — arriving just minutes before the 8:15 service began.
KBC regional consultant Alan Witham summed up Best’s effort well. “Whatever it takes.”
Best joked that Burlington Baptist pastor Josh Schmidt “always has the best stories. I never have any, but I have one now.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Chip Hutcheson and originally published by Kentucky Today.
