Mardi Gras Marathon Update

Kiki and I leave tomorrow night for the Mardi Gras Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in New Orleans. Earlier in the week I indicated that we will have some really cool stuff going on during our time in NOLA. So, here we go ---

As many of you know, our TEAM 413 shirts are our major ministry tool but are also our chief fundraiser. Kiki really out did herself on shirt designs for this show. We'll have Saints black with gold & white print; Purple with yellow & white print; Green with silver & white print; Yellow with black & white print; Men's blue sleeveless with yellow & white print; Women's white tanks with black & yellow print; Women's V-Neck black with pink print; Women's V-Neck white with purple & black print! Awesome stuff!

During the expo we'll run some specials on some of our gear. But, you'll have to come by to see what's going on. These will be unannounced opportunities to get into TEAM 413 gear with a minimal donation.

I'll be signing copies of my book, GRACERUNNER - FAITH ON THE RUN - We hope to sell quite a few this weekend. The book is a fundraiser for TEAM 413. 100% of the proceeds of this book go right back into the ministry.

The time and place for our pre-race devotion/prayer on Sunday morning will be posted in our booth. I'll also post this on our Facebook page and website. Please join us if you are going to be in New Orleans.God bless all of you and we look forward to seeing many of you in the Big Easy!

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

The Big Easy

This coming weekend my wife, Kiki, and I will travel to New Orleans to represent TEAM 413 at the Mardi Gras Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. It should be a fantastic event and we look forward to it with great anticipation.

So much has happened in New Orleans over the past few years. The horrors of Katrina are still fresh on the mind of people from that region. However, much has been done to repair the hearts of the wonderful people of south Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.

The New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl but, it was more than a win. It was a referendum of hope for the community, the state, and the region. It was a healing of the heart and soul of a city. Now, another large event is being delivered to the city New Orleans in the form of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series. This is going to be huge for this city!

We look forward to being a part of this great sporting event. We look forward to meeting a bunch of outstanding people who have been through much but who have grown through the circumstances that have come their way. We are blessed to be part of the "recovery" of a magnificent city and people.

If you are in the Big Easy this weekend, come by and say hello at the marathon expo. We have a lot of great things planned. I'll be writing about the details in the next few days.

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

GRACERUNNER - FAITH ON THE RUN

Back in January we published GRACERUNNER - FAITH ON THE RUN, our first book. This book was written as a fundraiser for TEAM 413 and tells the story of our ministry. We tell you how the ministry started and then go on to tell the stories of God's goodness and grace through the past seven years. We share stories of the people, places, and things along our journey.

I've said that it will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you turn your head like a Golden Retriever! People who know me and who have read the book tell me that it's like I was talking to them --- telling them a story. I consider myself a storyteller, so, I've taken their words as being complimentary. That's what I wanted this book to be. I wanted the words to jump off the page and grab your heart. Through God's guidance I believe that we've accomplished the goal.

We'll be signing copies at the following events from now through April:

• 26.2 with Donna Marathon Expo - Jacksonville, FL - February 2o
• Mardi Gras Marathon Expo - New Orleans, LA - February 26 - 27
• Seaside Half Marathon Expo - Seaside, FL - March 6
• Dallas RNR Half Marathon Expo - Dallas, TX - March 13
• Knoxville Marathon Expo - Knoxville, TN - March 27
• Go St. Louis Marathon Expo - St. Louis, MO - April 9 - 10
• Boston Marathon Expo - Boston, MA - April 16 - 18
• Country Music Marathon Expo - Nashville, TN - April 22 - 23
• Illinois Marathon Expo - Champaign, IL - April 30

If you are going to be in the area surrounding any of these events, please stop by, say hello, and pick up a copy. If you would like to order a book, please email kiki@team413.org and she will get back to you ASAP with appropriate instructions.

God bless all of you who follow us as we make our journey around this country and beyond...

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

On the MARK!

Chris Gillespie & Mark Eldridge at a TEAM 413 Event

This weekend Donnie Maner and I will represent TEAM 413 as we travel to Jacksonville, Florida for the National Breast Cancer Marathon -- 26.2 with Donna. This will be our first trip to this race but it will not be our first brush with the disease. Many of the people who are involved with TEAM 413 have been touched in some way by breast cancer....so, this will be a special weekend for a lot of reasons.

The most recent person to be affected by breast cancer is my wife, Kiki. Her mom recently underwent surgery and is about to start additional treatment. Before my mom's death from a major stroke back in 2008, she had survived a bout with breast cancer. Many of our folks have stories like this. But, there is one person who is involved with TEAM 413 who has a completely different story.

Several years ago my friend went to the doctor for a routine check-up. While waiting for the doctor, the nurse noticed something unusual and asked the doctor to check it out. The physician returned to the room and examined my friend's breast. He found enough of a problem that he ordered additional tests. It turned out that my friend had breast cancer and it was the type that was very aggressive --- only a few percent of the people in the country suffer from this particular cancer.

My friend is our chief administrative officer for TEAM 413. HE is a breast cancer survivor. You read it right. HE is a breast cancer survivor. Mark Eldridge is a wonderful person. He doesn't want any of the focus to be on him. He is simply a survivor and praises God that he beat cancer through the grace and goodness of God. Through his cancer he has helped many others who never even knew about it. He has given so much to many people who never knew that he helped.

As a survivor, Mark Eldridge has given from the heart for his family -- for his friends --but, more importantly for God. He has served in many ways. I've come to know him as a very intelligent, thoughtful, and helpful administrator who keeps TEAM 413 going. He stays on top of things. He does more than is necessary. He pushes himself to be better in so many ways. But, he doesn't ask for anything in return.

The nurse that helped Mark on the day that he visited the doctor saved his life. So, he is giving back by doing things through the heart and hands of a servant. God sent that nurse to Mark on that day. Now, God sent Mark to us to help us grow under His grace.

Mark, God bless you just as He has blessed us with your friendship, with your brotherhood in Christ, and with your servant's heart and hands. TEAM 413 dedicates this event to YOU and the others who have been affected by breast cancer.

Under HIS grace...

Chris

Are You Counting On Him?

This past weekend at the Austin Marathon Expo I met a man who made a lasting impression on me. He is a lawyer who is a strong Christian man. He told me of doing wills for clients and then explaining to them that their worldly goods were now taken care from a legal aspect. But, he doesn't stop there. He then asks them where they are in their spiritual life? He asks them what is going to happen to them upon their death? He takes the opportunity to witness to them. He exhibits true Christian character in his actions and words. We can all learn a lesson from this wonderful servant of the Lord.

Today I got an email from Scot. He wrote:

Bought shirt in Austin and ran the half in it. "Nice shirt." Was the first comment. I responded "Thanks. I'm counting on Him." That received a thumbs up. Another, "I really needed that Scripture. Thanks. " Response: "You're welcome. I'm counting on Him." The funny thing is, I have never said "I'm counting on Him." But, I am and have been for a long time. The shirt blessed me by causing me to realize that faith in Christ is as simple as "I'm counting on Him." I'm counting on Him to keep His promises. I'm counting on Him for my salvation.

For many years I've said that there is a story behind every TEAM 413 shirt. Many of you have heard this from me at some point in time. Behind every shirt, there is a story! Behind every story, there is a heart. Behind every heart is a servant who is counting on Him! Thanks to all of you for being His servants -- He's counting on you too!

Counting on Him to count on me ---

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

Transparent Heart

Today is Valentine's Day. I'm not really sure of the real story about how this holiday started but I'm certain that it's got to be a pretty cool one! Then again, it could be that all of the greeting card companies and florists got together and decided to create a "windfall" money day!

Nevertheless, this day makes us pause and reflect. We reflect on "love -- who? -- why? -- when? -- how?" It's a day that is somewhat whimsical in nature yet, true to the heart. It's a day we should not take for granted. But, on the other hand, we should not just set aside this as the one and only day for reflection of that one true gift of love with whom we are blessed.

My "God sent blessing" came in a package wrapped up as KIKI, my wife. She, literally, saved my life at a time when I didn't think that I could go on any longer. Life had been tough and obstacles were in my way that I didn't think I could overcome alone. I needed someone to help. God sent me Kiki. There have been many times when I've referred to her as an angel who rescued my heart. Each time I say that phrase, I realize how true it really is --- she really was an angel sent from Heaven.

I never want to let anything left unsaid. I want to make sure that the people in my life know exactly how I feel. They should see and hear the transparency of my heart. So, sappy or not, that's who I am. I'm an unashamed emotional guy. For those of you who don't like it, get over it! The emotions of my heart cannot be contained for my Lord, for my family, for my friends, and for all the goodness of God's gifts!

Under HIS Grace...

Chris

TEAMWORK 413

What a whirlwind weekend! The Austin Marathon Expo proved to be an incredible event for TEAM 413. We met so many wonderful people and continue to hear stories that we cannot comprehend. We'll eventually tell many of these stories in the days, weeks, and months ahead. I'm always amazed at how God works in the lives of those who are involved with TEAM 413. I am humbled beyond words!

The report from Cliff Buck and Donnie Maner who worked the Mercedes Marathon Expo in Birmingham was great as well. They said that there was so much support and interest in the ministry and that they cannot remember a Birmingham event being this busy for us. I appreciate their hard work to make sure Birmingham had great representation. I am also thankful for our other volunteers in Birmingham, Scott & Melissa Butler. They have been running under the TEAM 413 name for many years and they have the hearts of servants just like Cliff and Donnie.

I'll end this GRACERUNNER JOURNAL by describing our weekend .... exhilarating, enthusiastic, incomprehensible, amazing, beyond imagination --- but most of all, GOD WAS GLORIFIED through this simple ministry that we call TEAM 413!

Under HIS Grace...

Chris