Hello Everyone!
I guess I should start with my name. I am Jessica Stanfield, but most call me Jess. You may call me whatever you would like! I am going on 22 this upcoming August, I am a senior at Georgia Southern University, I work for the George-Anne (the university paper) as a photographer/photography editor, and I am as well a Group Leader for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind. Without going too much into detail, I will briefly explain where I am in my faith and how I came to apply for the World Race. I did not grow up in the church, nor did I really care much of my life; I was indifferent about the idea of religion, in general, until I was about 18 years old. I began to attend the various college ministries beginning of freshman year, however; it started off as being a reason to see a guy that I was interested in at the time, and that progressed into making friends through him. I am very thankful to say that God took that, and he used it to bring me to where I am today. I met some of my BEST friends through these ministries, and little did I know that they would bring me to know the Lord. He has used them in ways that I cannot even begin to jot down right now, but I look forward to sharing more with you all later. Jumping ahead a couple of semesters, I would say that I truly began to accept Jesus as my Redeemer, and God as my Father, in October of 2010. I will say that off and on, until this past October, it was a mixture of belief/disbelief and curiosity. And finally, as of October 2012 and more specifically Passion 2013, I began to really seek the Lord and his Word. I am sitting here trying to comprehend how much he has stretched me and I cannot. His steadfast love, and the multitude of his mercies, molded me into who I am today and all I want to do is praise him for that and hope that I can bring him Glory in all that I do and say. I first heard about the World Race in 2009 at a conference with Campus Outreach, but I wasn't too interested. As I said before, I was there for all of the wrong reasons. But nonetheless, that seed was obviously planted because I have applied, went through the interviews and am now accepted to embark on this new journey on January 1, 2014! I went on my first mission trip this summer, to Romania, and before I even left I felt as though I was being directed into missions. And upon my return back, I then knew that I was. I am ready to see what God has in store for this, and I am humbled that I get to share everything with each and every one of you! I will be asking, over-and-over, for your prayers as well as your support. This is just the beginning, and I am just Jess. But God is not just God and he has a radical plan for his Kingdom. And he has BLESSED us with the awesome opportunity to help him in doing what he does!
