Dear family, friends, and strangers reading Crystal’s blog,
This blog was not written by Crystal, but by the members of one of Crystal’s teams. We, Team Centurion, have been with Crystal from day one of our World Race. We have seen God move in Crystal’s life, and we have seen God use Crystal to build his Kingdom in Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. It has been an honor to watch Crystal serving the Lord, and we wanted to take this opportunity to share some of what we have seen with you.
I have loved getting to know Crystal. It has been such an honor to walk with her so far on this journey. Crystal has been so intentional about getting to know us, hearing our stories, listening to how God is moving in our lives, and challenging us to walk closer with Jesus. She is always looking for ways to grow closer to the Lord, and right now, she is working on the concept of thinking that we possess nothing, when everything is really the Lord’s. It is so awesome to watch her grow in knowing that her life and everything in it is not hers, but it belongs to our Heavenly Father. Thank you all so much for sending Crystal to be with us for five months on our race, our squad wouldn’t be the same without her.
Crystal has been such a blessing in my life! Her steadfastness and her contentment in the Lord is something I truly aspire to have. She has such a heart for discipleship and is willing to get her hands messy to fight for other’s salvation. Since meeting Crystal at training camp she has pushed me to pursue deeper intimacy with Christ and to rely on Him for everything. Thank you for sending her to support our journeys!
Crystal has brought so much to the table in the time she’s spent with our team this month. Her experiences on The Race and in her life give her such wisdom and she is always more than willing to impart that wisdom to us. She also brings a peace and a leveling effect to the team with her cool-headedness. It’s been an honor to watch her sheperd the members of this squad and our team in walking near to the Lord!
I am so grateful to have Crystal as a squad leader. I love how she lives in constant joy and contentment that comes from the Lord, and I greatly admire her eagerness to share what the Lord has taught her. Crystal is so faithful in her obedience to the Lord, even after experiencing many difficult situations on her race. I have seen Crystal use the difficult situations as a testimony of how God works through hardship, and I have seen people greatly moved by those stories. Crystal has given me great advice on leadership and on how to build relationships with teammates, and I have seen this wisdom be extremely fruitful.
Crystal lives out her role as squad leader–she is always available to counsel, advise, and listen. She gives direction catered to the individual in addition to explaining what her own experiences have taught her. As a previous Racer, she knew the potential struggles and challenges that came with being a Squad Leader, and she said yes to all of it–to everything the Lord could possibly have for her this year, even if it was scary, difficult, or challenging. Crystal, in all of her many “yes” moments, is an example of what it looks like to truly trust in and rely on the Lord. She is a daily reminder of fixing your eyes on the Lord and setting your heart to desire what He desires for you. Her dreams so clearly reflect the Lord and in that she challenges the teams and members of I-Squad to seek the Lord’s will. She has a heart for discipleship, and that extends to the people outside of her squad. She is always looking for more, and pushes others to seek more as well. Crystal is so very valuable to her Racers, and I love her dearly!
Crystal has been such an amazing leader and friend, and I have absolutely loved getting to know her. She has such a heart that reflects the Father’s, and others are attracted to her love that she has. Crystal has such a persistent spirit to see others know the Father’s love, both in the beautiful people that we encounter through ministry, and also through the squad that she serves on. I have personally felt the loving impact of her care and concern, and it is very evident that it all comes straight from Jesus. Thank you for supporting her financially on this journey so that she can continue to encourage, serve, and love on those around her.
Crystal is a composed leader. Her leadership style is not what you would think of when you think of someone leading forty one individuals. You probably think of someone yelling instructions, and constantly keeping tabs on everyone, but that is not the case with Crystal. Crystal leads with such a composed and confident style of influence. She knows when to lead and when to follow. Her wisdom comes in little “nuggets,” and is always rooted in making others better and directing them to Jesus. Over the last three months Crystal has connected with countless people on our squad and created relationships of such value and I just want thank you for providing that for us.
Thank you to each person who has supported Crystal on this journey through prayer, encouragement, and donations. Our team would be lacking without Crystal’s presence. Crystal still has $3500 to raise before the final financial deadline. We ask that you would pray and consider donating to help her reach her final financial deadline.
Thank you so much for praying for and supporting our team, through sending Crystal!
With gratitude,
Team Centurion
