I’ve been home from training camp for almost a full week now (sorry for the lack of correspondence) and I’m still processing all that I’ve learned. Well, to be honest, I didn’t actually learn much of anything, yet. Rather, God opened my eyes to what I will be learning over the next year – trust, patience, pure faith, flexibility, loyalty, and the importance of living in community – a syllabus, of sorts.
I have many new thoughts I will split into many blogs, so this blog will be to introduce the most important part of this coming year – my team! As I’ve written to many of you in support letters, I will be working with six other people throughout this next year. These six people will be absolutely essential throughout the next year, both in determining the effectiveness of our ministry and in my own personal growth as a Christian.
After seven days of watching us interact as a squad, interviewing us, thrusting us into impromptu positions of both leadership and servitude, and most importantly, praying over us, The World Race staff grouped us into our seven- person teams. Throughout our first afternoon and dinner as a small team, I could already tell that we were divinely put together.
Between the seven of us, we clearly have all bases covered in that for every one of our weaknesses, another team member possesses a tangible strength in that same area to make up for it. We are diverse and unified at the same time. Some of us have extensive travel experience whereas some of us have little to no travel experience. Some of us have an exceptional passion for scripture and others have an exceptional passion for worship. Some of the characteristics we hold in common are:
- A passion for God’s glory
- An investment in God’s global purpose
- A shared appreciation for God’s past work in our lives
- A personal story of redemption
- An agreement that we are “Plan A” and that God has no “Plan B”
- Tangible sacrifices
- A dissatisfaction with the “American Dream”
- A hunger for personal growth and a personal relationship with God
- A passion for “the least of these”
We took the task of naming our team very seriously because we knew that our name would virtually be a definition of who we are – not who we would hope to be in 11 months’ time – but who we are now, because God has declared it to be so. After a great deal of prayer and conversation, we are proud bear the name “Team 14Feet.” Fourteen feet because we are literally fourteen individual feet bringing the Gospel to the nations, but also fourteen feet because we have really chosen to rally around Romans 10:14-15, which reads:
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15
We are Plan A, and there is no Plan B. God is not starting a blog. God is not using Twitter. God has not fallen victim to postmodernism andthus opened up a new “anything goes” means of accepting his Son. The way of salvation and supreme satisfaction is the exact same as it has always been and it is delivered on the soles of sweaty, imperfect, and blister-ridden feet.
Here are those feet…
Hi guys…or ya'll! My name is Staci Weedman and I'm a 26 year old Hoosier, transplanted into Texas after graduate school. I attended Purdue University and studied Biology, Spanish Language, and Animal Science. I am in awe of God most when I'm in nature, around animals, or experience great dedication and commitment from others. My passion is to unite all peoples and cultures under one God and I am excited to experience God's power in so many nations; allowing my heart to be broken and have doors open to do something about it."
Hi, my name is Erin Olson and I am from Mitchell, South Dakota. I grew up understanding who God is, but spent most of my youth trying to be good enough. My freshman year in college I realized how much I really needed God's grace and thathas changed my life forever. Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." I look forward to the upcoming year of changing the world by sharing about Jesus' love and demonstrating that love around the world."
Hey! I'm Michael Choi and I was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, but now currently reside in Seoul, South Korea. I did my undergraduate studies in Political Science and recently completed my MBA. Living away from Christ, nothing was ever enough for me, and I struggled to find my place in life. By God’s grace, He pulled me out of darkness, and now I am dedicating my life to serving His kingdom. I am honored to be on team 14 Feet and look forward to becoming more intimate with our Savior..
Hi, my name is Emily Adkisson and I'm from the beautiful southern city of Charlotte, NC. Growing up in the Bible Belt, my upbringing consisted of endless nights spent at the church in youth groups, Bible studies, and so much more. It wasn't until adulthood (and many struggles later) that I began to understand what it means to be a child of God and what His endless loves for me means. I am now challenged to bring that same love and hope to the nations."
Hi! I'm Emily Schlichting. I am 23 years old and just graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay in December. In the past four and a half years I've learned what it really means to love and follow Christ, and God has totally changed my life! My heart longs for everyone to know the hope and love that can only be found in Christ.
"Hey Friends! My name is Jenny Measmer. I am 25 years old and reside in Charlotte, NC. I started my relationship with Jesus when I was a sophomore in college and my life hasn't been the same since. I have a passion for missions and seeing lives transformed through the power of the gospel. I am so excited to be a part of The World Race and take the message and love of Christ to the nations."
