‘Lost Boy’ Turned U.S. Olympian Lopez Lomong Shares His Story at Cornerstone University

Lopez Lomong is modest.

He doesn't need to be. The "Lost Boy" survived a civil war in Sudan and escaped to become a college graduate and a U.S. Olympian and international track and field competitor.

"My story is not my own. It's the story of thousands of children who are still victims to the evil of war," Lomong told a Cornerstone University audience on Monday.

Lomong's book, “Running for My Life," details his journey from the time he was taken from his family in the Sudanese civil war to become a child soldier, through his life as a lost boy at a refugee camp in Kenya, and then his success as a Nike-sponsored middle-distance runner on the U.S. Olympic Team. It was required reading for incoming Cornerstone freshmen for the 2014-15 academic year.

"I dream to empower people to look at their lives in a new light and take action in their communities and in the world," he said. "Sharing my story is my passion!"

A year after becoming a naturalized American citizen, Lomong carried the U.S. flag during opening ceremonies at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Lomong shared the hardships that he experienced as a child. His desire is to inspire others to get involved with providing four major resources: clean water, nutrition, health care and education to the people of South Sudan.

Annually, first-year Cornerstone students focus on a cultural issue. This year's focus is on genocide and a call to action as Christians. Lomong's book was part of that effort.

Illiterate for most of his life, Lomong graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2011.

He dedicates his time to training for the Olympics and raising funds for his foundation, The Lopez Lomong Foundation. His goal is to raise $500,000 for clean water, health care, education and nutrition.

"Twenty years ago, I ran for my life as I tried to escape the soldiers with guns," Lomong says. "Today, I run for my life as I chase down the incredible opportunity God has laid out in front of me.

"Now, I run to help others not only survive, but thrive."