What’s up folks! Man, I have been terrible at keeping you all up to date with what’s been going on in my ministry. So let me bring you the latest.
Recently Ericka and I got back from training camp down in Gainesville, Georgia. This camp had 46 brand new World Racers who will be starting their 11 month journey this October! (Now in case you don’t know every World Race squad must participate in a training camp which is generally held 2 months before leaving the U.S.)
So here is what this past camp looked like for us.
First off, the day before camp started I got a chance to go on an Atlanta Christian TV station and talk about the World Race. It was two live ten-minute segments in which me and the host talked about how the race got started, where we go, what we do, our mission, how to get involved – all kinds of good stuff. Normally during a training camp I have two main functions – working with the World Race parents (click to see new parent website) and preparing the guys for their trip.
Now as far as the parents go, my job is to engage them in their kid’s journey. So what does that look like? One, I work to connect them with other parents so that they have a place to turn for comfort and support. Two, I invite them to our World Race parent reception we have at the beginning of each training camp. Now this parent reception is something E
ricka and I work on together to host. It’s a perfect way for the parents to get to know each other, learn about Adventures in MIssions, the World Race and the objectives of the program. It has also become a great time of ministering to and praying for the parents and their kids. My experience has shown me it is hard for parents to let their children go – especially out into the nations. So we’re trying to build a strong support group made up of parents – for the parents. I also spend a lot of time during my regular work week on the phone with parents. (I’ll talk about this ministry more in my next blog.)
ricka and I work on together to host. It’s a perfect way for the parents to get to know each other, learn about Adventures in MIssions, the World Race and the objectives of the program. It has also become a great time of ministering to and praying for the parents and their kids. My experience has shown me it is hard for parents to let their children go – especially out into the nations. So we’re trying to build a strong support group made up of parents – for the parents. I also spend a lot of time during my regular work week on the phone with parents. (I’ll talk about this ministry more in my next blog.)
My second function at camp is ministering to the guys. One of the main ways I do this is by leading a retreat in the middle of camp. During this time I do some teaching on what it looks like to be a man of integrity on the race, and then we follow that teaching with a fun and slightly dangerous physical challenge. It’s a blast and the guys love it. I spend the better part of ten days encouraging, praying for, and just simply hanging out with the men. I LOVE IT! I love how God is using my life to impact others – like Dan Snyder – check out his blog post! THIS is what God called me to do back in 2007 – Ephesians 4:12, “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”
Training camp is also an opportunity for Ericka to sell her Sound of Hope merchandise to the new racers. Proceeds from the sales go to feed orphans in Swaziland, Kenya and India. This is also a chance for Ericka to share her vision for The Sound of Hope and help others get plugged in to it.
In my next blog I’ll talk more about what my ministry looks like day-to-day at home in Michigan. Thanks to all you folks out there who support us through prayer, encouraging words and money. Ericka and I couldn’t do what we do if it weren’t for ya’ll:)
