Today, we memorialize such a special day. Twelve years ago, the idea for Chosen was conceived. On the start line of another inaugural race — the San Antonio Marathon — in 30-degree weather with 30,000 people around me, the buzzing air suddenly went silent as I had this crazy thought… what was I doing this for? Five months of training for what? Vanity? Me time? Perhaps there could be a higher purpose. I could be doing this for something I believed in. Like adoption. Like helping children who needed safe, loving homes find a place of healing.

For my first 13.1 miles, running for two hours and fourteen minutes (I was slow!), my friends and I talked about — what would it look like if we could run a race for someone else’s benefit?

Leading up to November 16, 2008, I had sang & prayed countless times on training runs, “You’re the God of this City” by Chris Tomlin. I didn’t know Chris, but it was my heartbeat, song, prayer, and declaration over our city — I asked God to use me to that end. For the next six weeks, the Lord was relentless with me — answering through prayers, dreams, and wise counsel.

A race for adoption was my wild idea, and I set about dreaming, planning, and turning over lots of rocks.

Less than two years later, at the Chosen Marathon for Adoption, runners lined up at a start line that we drew on the ground. More than 1,000 runners came to run for someone else’s victory. It was a miracle of epic proportions. About six volunteers pulled off this incredible feat — we fired a foghorn and sent runners down a dark, hilly road just before dawn. I will never forget that scene. A dream that was conceived came to be — bigger than I could have ever imagined. We raised $100,000 and gave it all away to fund adoptions. This was in spite of an economic recession. In spite of zero fundraising experience. In spite of my naiveté.

Over the past twelve years, our mission has evolved into what it is today. As we recognized a massive chasm in the call to care for the most vulnerable, the Lord urged us towards discipling families, walking alongside to heal the hurt.

I look around my office and see pictures to remind me of family, children, fortitude, and encouragement. What God has done in twelve years is truly astounding–children remaining in families because of your work. Marriages restored. Brokenness redeemed. Ministries birthed. Family esteemed. Pain healed.

As we look to the future, we are encouraged. Through new partnerships, by expanding our services to meet growing needs, and through the generosity of our supporters, Chosen will continue to heal hurting families for decades to come.

Sincerely,

Jenni Lord

Chief Executive Officer

Chosen