Hey! My name is Silas Cole. I am currently 24 years old, but I will be 25 before The
World Race begins. I will be
heading out in September.
Right now, I live in Los Angeles, CA, however I was born and
raised in Japan as an M.K. (missionary kid) I am
the second of five siblings and my parents are still full time missionaries,
living in Tokyo. I grew up in
Nagano, Japan (where the Olympics were in 1998) and went through the Japanese
school system through elementary school. For high school, I went to an
international school in Tokyo. If
I had to really label where home is for me, I would probably have to say that
it would be Tokyo. After
graduating, I went to Biola University in Southern California where I majored
in studio arts with an emphasis in photography as well as minored in biblical
studies.
Since graduation, I have worked several different jobs,
though mainly I have been substitute teaching for the last couple years, and I
do some freelance photography on the side. I enjoy teaching and really am thankful for the
opportunities I have had to develop relationships with the kids I teach,
however, I don’t think that I am called to go into teaching as a career. I am still trying to figure out my
calling in life and what exactly is God’s will. I can’t really see myself settling down anywhere in the near
future and am open to perhaps working overseas. I am up for whatever opportunities might come my way and
wherever God leads me. More than
anything, I am seeking God’s direction for what path He wants me to take and I
deeply believe that my experience with the World Race will help me shape and
clarify what God’s vision is for my life.
I am extremely excited to be able to take part in the World
Race this September. I have always
had a heart for helping others and I know that I am most satisfied with my life
when my focus is not on myself but when I am serving God and other people. When I first heard about the World Race
and read about all the experiences and opportunities to serve and be used by
God, my heart started racing and I really could sense that God was calling me
to take the risk and simply go. In
many ways and to many people, for me to take part in the World Race really does
not make sense or seem practical… and I have had to work through my own
doubts. However, God has really
been working in my life and showing me that I need to fully rely, pursue, and
trust in Him and what He is leading me to do. Without a doubt, this experience is going to be an
incredible challenge and I will be pushed to places that will be very hard for
me, however I know that through all of this, God will be working in my life and
drawing me closer to Him. It is
going to be quite the journey. My
hope and prayer is that I could give up selfish desires, all my worldly
ambition, and myself so to be efficient and effective in whatever way God
chooses to use me.
Random info about me:
Birthday: August 3, 1985
Food: fish tacos, cheese cake, sushi
Sports: lacrosse, soccer, tennis, wrestling, and beach
volleyball
Books: I read a lot.
Favorites include everything from Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Into
the Wild, The Alchemist, Les Miserables, books by Henri Nouwen, C.S. Lewis,
Donald Miller, and Steinbeck
T.V. Shows: My number one show would have to be Scrubs. However, I also enjoy Lost, Freaks and
Geeks, The Office, Community, 30 Rock, Modern Family, The Amazing Race, Glee,
and Top Chef.
Music: Billy Joel, Elton John, Lenny Kravitz, Queen,
Journey, The Beatles, Coldplay and a whole lot of country!
Movies: Gladiator, Braveheart, Big Fish, Almost Famous,
Amelie, Batman, Lion King, Equilibrium, and works by Miyazaki
Other Interests: road trips, photography, playing games with
friends, eating, and hiking.
