It is with much love and joy that I write this letter to you. I have taken the time to pray through (Philippians 4:6) who I should send this to and I am so excited to share this awesome news with you.
I got the chance to go on my first overseas mission trip 5 years ago. I really felt alive for the first time (Ephesians 2:5) while I was in Haiti and a seed was planted in my heart (1 Corinthians 3:6-8) that God was calling me into some type of full time ministry (Isiah 6:8-10). A friend of mine on that trip mentioned an organization called “Adventures in Missions” and told me about a yearlong mission trip called “The World Race”. I remember checking out the website and instantly got excited and felt like this was what God was calling me to do (Jeremiah 7:13). At the same time however, I was fresh out of college and searching for jobs. I decided to apply for The World Race and got accepted the same exact day I received the job offer from the firm I am still at today. Obviously, I chose to start my job as a financial adviser and nestle into the corporate world here in Buckhead.
I don’t think it is a coincidence that 5 years later the excitement and calling of this trip have come back into my life. Over the last few months I have had the feeling that God has so much more in store for me than what I am currently doing (Jeremiah 29:11). I firmly believe the World Race has been the Lords calling for my life the whole time it just wasn’t the right time back then (Proverbs 16:9). I also believe the Lord wanted me to build up some “worldly success” (Mathew 6:19-21) over the last 5 years and then see if I would be willing to give it all up and follow Him (Luke 18:22). With that said, the last month has been a wild ride to say the least and It is only the beginning as I have applied again and been accepted to go on the World Race!! I will be leaving in January to become a full time missionary for 11 months in 11 different countries around the World.
The World Race is an 11 month mission trip to 11 different countries. We will spend one month in each country working with the local churches and organizations to meet the needs of each community (acts 20:35) while spreading the gospel (Psalm 96:3). Ministry on the race looks a lot different from month to month. We will preach in Churches (Mark 16:15), visit kids in orphanages (James 1:27), do construction work (Proverbs 24:27), and minister to sex trafficking victims (Psalm 82:4). We will do whatever it takes (James 2:18) to bring Gods kingdom to earth (Psalm 47:7-8) and share his love around the world (1 Peter 4:8). Jesus said go preach the gospel, heal the sick, and raise the dead (Mathew 10:8) and we believe he desires his disciple’s to go out the same way in this modern day (Mathew 28:18-20). This is an opportunity to really find out who God is calling me to be and to start to implement that into my life (1 Peter 2:9).
The World Race has been His Will and His calling (Jeremiah 29:11) the whole time and I can’t run from it anymore. I will be giving up everything I have here and trusting Him with it all (Proverbs 3:5-6). After all, it is ALL His anyways (Psalm 24:1). God has called me into a much Bigger and Greater story (Romans 8:28). The time has come for me to leave my comfort zone (Joshua 1:9), love the way Jesus loves (Romans 5:8), and live radically for the sake of the gospel (Mathew 16:24).
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and I can’t thank you enough for the role that each and every one of you have played in my journey to this point. This will be the most challenging and rewarding thing that I have ever done in my life (James 1:2-4). It is time that I step into the abundant life that He has promised me (John 10:10)!!
With the task ahead, there is much work to still be done (Philippians 2:14-15). The most important of these being financial/prayer support. The number I have set before me to raise is $16,562. This number will cover all of my expenses needed for the 11 months. It is a big one and a small amount of time, but if He has called me, He will provide (Philippians 4:19). If any of this has tugged at your heart in anyway, I would invite you to take part in this journey with me. The attached letter will provide you with all the details you will need to contribute towards my trip!
