Due to the intensity of training camp, I am writing a three-part series about my main takeaways. This is part two. Read part 1 here.
Imagine a young man working in a backpacker hostel somewhere in Africa. Every night he drinks at the bar he works at, often stumbling into bed around 3 a.m. Life is good, if not somewhat empty. One day, he receives an email from Adventures in Missions (AIM) to ask if a group of Christian missionaries could debrief at his hostel for a weekend. Knowing the Christian type, he’s reluctant, but he knows the money is too good to refuse.
The world racers spend the weekend at his hostel. Each night, some would sit at the bar, sip Cokes and spend time getting to know this man. No one mentions Jesus or the Gospel. They simply love on him. They build a relationship with him. At the end of the weekend, they invite him to their ministry site a few hours away. With the promise of going to the beach, the young man decides to take them up on their offer.
The relationships deepen and he notices that they are different than the Christians he had known before. Something is beginning to shift inside of him. At one meal in particular, someone asks the group who would like to pray over the food. Feeling a need to, the young man volunteers. As he starts praying, he thanks God for these new friendships and their time together. As he continues praying, something happens. He can’t remember exactly what he said, but when he finishes he sees that everyone around him is teary-eyed. As it turns out, he had just surrendered his life to Christ.
Fast-forward six years to June 16th, 2016. He’s unashamedly proclaiming the work that God has done in his life by sharing his story to a group of expedition racers. I happen to be one them.
His testimony revealed three things with absolute clarity to me. First, there is no separating “normal” life and “mission” life. All areas of my life intersect, either pointing to Christ or not. At AIM, they call it living missionally or Kingdom living. Everywhere I go there are opportunities to reveal Jesus to a broken and hurting world. One only needs to ask Holy Spirit to highlight them and then be obedient to follow through.
Secondly, his testimony helped simplify what it looks like to walk this out. Living missionally means emphasizing intentionality and relationship with others. His story highlights the power in taking time to cultivate relationships, allowing others to see Jesus in you.
What a timely revelation. Earlier in the week, I had been beating myself up for all of the [perceived] weaknesses I saw in myself after visiting our ministry site: lack of boldness, not being able to say the right thing or pray the right thing, amongst other insecurities. I placed so much emphasis on my ability to do evangelism and missions.
Thankfully, God is more than able to accomplish what He wants to without me. Holy Spirit revealed the Jesus-sized hole in this man’s life and led him in prayer to surrender it all. God doesn’t need us. How humbling and how incredibly freeing. Rather, He desires for His children to partner with Him in being part of the story He’s writing in other people’s lives. Those racers in Africa, as well as this young man, are now part of mine. I’m excited and expectant to see how God will continue to move as I say “yes” to letting Him lead the way.
This brings me to my final point: Testimonies are powerful! You’ll never know how God will use yours to bring freedom, breakthrough and encouragement to someone else. Step out in faith and share yours with someone today.
Watch for my Training Camp, Part 3 blog in the coming days!
