First Blessing Run at Ridgefield. Done!

Shared experiences and prayers

Spanish speakers were standing around.
Big places like hmart and industrial places are more visible while smaller businesses have little visibility.
It’s hard going up the hill, and it is dangerous to go downhill. Seems to speak to the inner difficulties people have in the area.
Many dog walkers/lovers.
Young couples walking about.
Cars stuck in traffic, which may speak to discomfort in people's lives.
Stressed moms with kids.
Divorced dads dealing with (lack of) custody.
Everyone lives such different lives. God's love can be our common ground.
People working. They can't dedicate time for self or church.
Ridgefield is fairly religious.
Korean community church seems to be strong, but not much religious representation outside of the Koreans here.
Dogs made us more approachable.
Heavily industrial area, making people seem small.

Experiences and room for improvement

'Forced' outreach with megaphones was ineffective in front of HMart. It turned people away, causing people to avoid the area. Let us not do that.
-- We met the other church group at the HMart. Most of the people were Korean and people who are doing the missionary work at HMart. They weren't afraid of what other people thought, but only the truth about God. I think that's something we learned what God want us to see during this walk.
Good time of Refreshment, Reflection, and Decompression.
Should research towns in advance to pray and prepare.

See pictures of the event at our Instagram page

3 Registered Runners	17 Registered Walkers
Signed up: Sang Sur Keon Hwa Lee Eric Kim James Jang Art Chi Kathryn Lee Douglas Chi Marcello Chi David Choe Richard Bang Unice Kang Isaac Yun Yoona Ko Jae Lee Jihyung Sur Casey Bang Julie Jia Jabez Li Jenny Piao Lihua Zheng As of 6Mar2023.

Meet Point (Between Shaler Blvd and Banta Place)

The Purpose of the Blessing Run

The purpose of the blessing run is to ask God how we can bless this neighborhood together (as a church). If God doesn’t bless this neighborhood, how much can we bless it with our own strength? That is why we ask God to direct us.

The Purpose of the Blessing Run (English)

Printable Handout Sheets

Blessing Run (and Walk)

We are called to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-15), and we can begin where God has placed us.

On March 12, 2023, 2pm, weather permitting (will confirm a week prior), we will run and walk through the town of Ridgefield together in prayer, blessing the people, casting out any Satanic strongholds, and seeking a move of God in this region. Sign up to join us in blessing this town.

During this run/walk, we will talk with God (prayer) keeping our hearts and eyes open, asking God to show us the things He is concerned about and what He is doing. If we encounter people to whom God wants us to speak with, we will. If we encounter places where God wants us to pray over, we will. Let's trust God to guide us.

I'm a resident or businessowner in Ridgefield, NJ! I want to register as a runner or walker!

Tentative Schedule

Start at LJL Church (2pm).
- Set our phones to ping every 5 minutes to remind us to turn our hearts to God.
- Get the driver's phone number to be able to reach him/her during the Blessing Run.
- Carry a few LJL Church Handout cards.
- Answer any questions and spend time in prayer.
- Long distance runners begin at the church, others are driven to the Meet Point (P). Walkers self-form groups of 2 or 3 (max!) The driver continues to roam.
Return to church (4-5pm).
- Share experiences as we wait for everyone to return.
Eat together (5-6pm?)!
- Enjoy one another, giving thanks to God for what He is doing

The Mindset to have during the Blessing Run

God is with us. Let Him teach and direct us as we go to new places and meet new people
Ask God as we pass through signs, posters, graffiti, carvings, statues, buildings, etc. to direct our hearts and teach us how to pray.
Ask God to give us His heart to love others in the region as He does and to see the things He is doing so we can join in with Him.

Scriptures to Guide us

1I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 1Timothy 2:1-4 (NLT)
15For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar. My name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 16And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely in my hand. I stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, ‘You are my people!’” Isaiah 51:15-16 (NLT)
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26 (NLT)

Some ways you can pray as you walk/run

May the people in this area come to know you, as I know you.
(As you observe signs and objects) God, would you show me the things You are doing in this area? How can we get involved with You in the things you are doing here (life transformations, wooing of the heart, repentance, curiosity, ...)?
(As God brings to your mind as you observe) God, would You encounter the people in this area? Let them recognize Your love and be drawn to You.
(If you have a target people God placed in your heart, e.g. people your age, pray specifically for them.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a member of this church to run/walk? Not at all. Just your heart to want to bless the town of Ridgefield in Jesus' Name.
How will I be alerted about my running/walking route and any date changes that may happen due to weather? You will get be contacted via email until the date of the run. Feel free to use the 'contact us' page at ljl.church if you have not received any contact.
Do I need to walk or run? No, you can join us at our church and support us from here. Some of the members will be praying at the chuch, while some may be handling administrative plans and coordinations.

Blessing Run Plan

The goal is to maximally cover the residential area of Ridgefield
Regions 3 and 4 is more difficult due to steep elevations
Runners can take the challenge of ~4.5 miles (can be less or more depending on exact route)
Shorter distance runners are welcome within the residential region 1-4.
Overlapping is fine. Have fun!
The van driver will drop off the walkers and short distance runners at the meet point (P). The driver will circle the Ridgefield area. When walkers are done, the driver will bring them back to the church.