I realize that many of you who read my blogs may know these terms but
many of you who are not immersed in my world day to day may sometimes
here me use a term and think “what on earth is he talking about?” So I have put some definitions here so you can be clued in and I will likely add to it in the future.
World Race Lingo:
Training
Camp- The 8 days that we bring all of our World Race missionaries to GA
to get them ready, emotionally, spiritually, and physically for life on
the mission field for 11 months. It is of course a very short time to
fit all of this in and we really only begin the process of brokenness
and reliance on the Lord that continues through out their journey, and
hopefully for the rest of their lives.
Launch- The first few days, usually in a certain city in the US
where a squad or squads gather before flying to their first ministry for
further training and teaching from World Race staff.
Debrief- A time at the end of every two months when coaches and or staff come to teach and support a squad in the field.
Squad- This is what we call each group that goes out on a certain race
rout. It will be made of anywhere from 35-60 people depending on the
squad and is broken up into 5-9 teams depending on how many people are on the squad.
Squad
Letters- We use letters to identify each World Race squad that
launches. When we run through the alphabet we simply start again as a
second generation. For example, I was on the first K Squad on my
original World Race and I was Squad Leader for S squad and I am now the
Squad Coordinator over the F and K squads second generation.
Squad Coordinator- This is my current position with the World Race.
It is one person who is the authority for a World Race squad. They work
in tandem with World Race Coaches as authority and spiritual support for
World Racers as they are out on the field. Coordinators plan and
organize where a squad will go during their trip. They also travel to
meet the squad for teaching and support at Launch, 4 month, and 8 month
debrief.
Coaches- Usually a married couple who have life experience and can
provide a spiritual covering and emotional support for a squad. They
travel to the squads every two months for a debrief with them.
Squad
Leader- Usually two or three people who go out with the Squad as the on
field authority and leadership. People who have been on the race
already serve in this position for the first four months of any World
Race and then raise up someone to take their place in the role from on
the squad for the last seven months. I was a Squad leader for the S
squad October 2010 – February 2011. Squad Leaders report to the Squad
Coordinator in the home office.
Team- The smaller group of 5-7 people that travel together and serve
at any one ministry for a month. Who is one what team can change around
depending on the squad, team, and circumstances but sometimes stays the
same.
Team Leader- The one person who is the main liaison to the ministry
hosts and also the authority for the team to make sure ministry happens
and that everyone is doing ok. They report to the Squad Leaders. I was a
Team Leader for the entirety of my first World Race on K squad.
