I’ve had a lot of questions lately about calling, World Race, NewSpring — and how they all fit together lately, so let’s chat and take a short walk through some history. 🙂
The History:
At Gauntlet 2012, the Lord gave me a clear next step and calling to more than the life I was living as a life defined by my teaching career. He called me to greater things than I could give myself through the adventure of vocational ministry and a life defined by Jesus and not my career path. The last two years serving with NewSpring alongside staff have been truly immeasurably more and have been the process of so many next steps from learning to have a simple faith to find a dependable car for a job I didn’t yet have to moving to the city of my dreams over a phone call. Each step took more faith than the last and each step led closer to Jesus than I was before.
Two things have consistently been clear through this journey — Jesus gives a multitude of grace and I will always have a next step.
The World Race:
Back in February, things were really difficult. The only thing I didn’t feel completely drained by was my time with Jesus. Everything else, felt completely wrong. Every word spoken by me or to me, every person I encountered, every decision I made in that season. Everything felt just off and immensely difficult for “no reason.” I’d never felt a crossroad like it and I hope to never encounter it again.
Looking back, I’m thankful, because the season that was so challenge-filled created room in me for what God was preparing for me.
In that month, I began to question EVERYTHING. From my calling to my city to my residence to my church to my shoes. Nothing was safe. I was so uncomfortable, I asked the Lord each day to set road blocks or abundant rivers in my life because I was scared to make any move — and by gosh He did, as February was when I finally got up the courage to call and get more info about the World Race, this ridiculous adventure I’d NEVER take but thought would be great for my outdoor-loving brother or some friends that had been floating in my head since November for “no reason.”
When my new friend Austin had answered all my questions about World Race and asked if I planned to apply I confidently said “no.” He proceeded to tell me “That’s fine, we at Adventures in Missions just want you to walk though every open door God has set before you and not close any He has not shut.” I quickly hung up with tears wailing in my eyes and applied within the hour, as the man had unknowingly iterated my heart’s desire throughout the month of searching and unknowns…what was my next step? And it was crystal clear — keep walking.
“Walk until I tell you to stop. Run until I tell you to turn. Don’t fear. Don’t give up, no matter what.” Hebrews 12:1-3 JTJP (Jesus To Jen Paraphrased)
The Questions:
June 1st was my last day in a staff capacity at NewSpring Church and I’d missed a few weeks due to my family first mindset from now until January/forever, so I’ve had many people ask “What would be better than working at NewSpring?” and “Will you be ok?” and “Will other staff members be ok?” and even “Are you still going to NewSpring?” I didn’t know what to say because I didn’t think about any of those things and here’s why:
1. I love my church. I feel called to be a servant and I know NewSpring is where God has me serving right now. I believe in the vision and leadership of our church to lead our campus, state, nation, and world into a generation of Jesus followers that will change everything.
2. I don’t need to be on staff to love my church, because it’s not all about NewSpring — it’s all about Jesus and that’s what our church points to in all things. I want to support our wonderful staff as much as possible, but ultimately…
3. NewSpring staff is not my next step. Spoiler alert: Staff was never my “goal,” following Jesus was and always will be my “goal.” While staff seems like a logical step…God doesn’t sacrifice the miraculous for the logical in our lives. And I’m so glad! In fact, that’s the best news! I may not be able to be as involved as I want to be at the church, or once was, because I’m taking strides toward the next step God has placed in front of me. I am certain His plan is greater than mine and the miraculous definitely has a better view.
The Bottom Line:
My calling has not changed. But how I execute my calling will constantly be changing. So I’m not being paid by a church, that’s fine…but really I am. The locations and timelines may be different than I saw planned, but the ministry God gave me to fulfill the day He saved me is the same today. Whether I’m in the camouflage of a teacher, leader, writer, missionary, or baker — my calling is the same. His ministry remains. And my God is faithful.
I’m ready to run. And I’m not giving up, no matter what.
