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It was a beautiful day for a walk: The Church steps up for HIV/AIDS
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Team Beautiful Day stepped out of church and went for a walk in love for those with HIV/AIDS on Sunday, October 18 at the 20th Annual Walk for AIDS Silicon Valley.
The team had 555 walkers and was the top fundraiser at the Walk. They raised about $20,000. Six churches participated in Team Beautiful Day, including two that provided entertainment at the event.
Lisa Akan, one of the walkers for Team Beautiful Day, shared her thoughts on what it was like to participate in this walk.
“I felt I was doing what Jesus would have done—walk alongside people and show them love—regardless of gender, sex, age, or background. This was probably one of the first public events where I literally wore my faith on my sleeve.”
Akan is referring to the Beautiful Day shirts that those on the team wore. The shirts didn’t give any indication that they were from a church, but Akan wrote on the back of hers, “The Church has left the building.”
She had some positive reaction to this statement. “People made comments to me like ‘I like your shirt’ or ‘what a great saying’,” said Akan.
Akan said that some people commented on how grateful they were that the Church was involved with this event. She was also humbled by how many people came out and walked to support the cause.
For Akan, the decision to join the walk is tied into what she wrote on her shirt.
“I heard about the concept that Team Beautiful Day had to leave church for the day and be the Church at the event.” Akan said she would definitely do this again.
