Two generations separate little Jed (2) and his grandfather Tom Clarke (pictured).
But both have the same aim – to raise money through sponsorship for the opening night of the Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention this August. The evening will have a focus on the Persecuted Church Worldwide.
Tom Clarke, worldwide chairman of the convention, is walking 850 miles between January and August, while his daughter Joy is running 850 miles (equivalent to one marathon per week) and little Jed (Tom’s grandson) will complete 850 laps of his garden! As en was being put together, it was reported that Jed has now completed 397 lengths of his garden, Joy has run 300 miles and Tom has walked 365 miles.
The precise numbers were chosen because this year marks the 85th occasion of the convention taking place. Founded in 1937 by Herbert J. Mateer, the gathering has continued without a break as an annual event ever since. The convention website says: ‘With meetings held over eight days, it is an event of considerable significance in the missionary life of Northern Ireland. It is interdenominational, international and evangelical.’
