How do you explain something that words really can’t communicate? How do I paint a picture of a season that could never fully be captured? How do you sum up a story that is still being written?
The task seems impossible…I think I will have to start by describing what The World Race is.
When I came home from the Race in July 2016, I was speechless. Even now, I am asking the same question. How do I tell people about this? What do I tell people about this? I wasn’t sure I was ever going to be able to really describe to people the journey that I had just experienced. I often thought that to understand you kinda had to be there. I showed some pictures, told some stories, and shared how I felt about it but nothing ever came close to what it actually was. It wasn’t until two years after the fact that I finally have (some) language to wrap around it all.
So, What is the World Race?
The World Race is a mission trip that trains and raises up a generation of followers that live life radically for Jesus where life is mission and mission is life. To abandon comfort, luxury, and security to be brought to a place of brokenness that we may find true and complete dependence on the Father. Through missions, we learn how to live in close, healthy community, Deepen our intimacy with the Father, make disciples, and to be the hands and feet of Jesus where ever we are. While that is the vision and goal of the race (in my own words, anyway) it’s also so much more than that. There is work that is done in people that is unique to them. Things that happen behind the scenes that a blog, video, or social media post can’t possibly express. I have sometimes heard the Race referred to as a spiritual “pressure cooker” because it’s such an intense and transformative experience when fully present and engaged.
I know… it’s ironic that I just explained something that I said was unexplainable. But when you witness works and miracles of the Holy Spirit that’s pretty much par for the coarse. Like trying to explain color to a blind person or sound to the deaf. How do you do that? Not to mention in a way that makes sense. I digress…
Now that we know what the Race is, let’s talk about what squad leading is and it is…something…
While the position of a squad leader( or SQL) actually has a job description and well defined expectations and responsibilities, I’ll spare you (and my fingers) the complete list. To give you a general idea, we have administrative responsibilities as well as as day to day tasks. Behind the scenes, I help build teams, help decide who is put into different roles on the squad, which teams go to which ministries in a given month, and plan and facilitate debriefs. At the end of our time on the field with the squad, we raise up 2 or 3 participants on the squad to take our place. Since a SQL is only on the field for 5 months this allows the squad as a whole to fully take ownership of the culture we help them build while we’re with them. Day to day I disciple, train and equip the squad to create and maintain the kingdom culture (previously mentioned) that we strive for on the Race. While I do serve with the squad at different ministries my main ministry is the squad itself. I get to live with them, serve them, and love them. Listen to their stories; learn about their hopes, dreams, gifts and talents; and journey with them as God awakens them to their calling in the kingdom. To see Holy Spirit move and set them free from sin, shame, bondage, and fear is……(See what I mean? Par for the coarse…).
That’s the simplest way that I know how to put it(for now). There are a lot of fine details and many pieces we are trying to fit together to make the Race to function well. It’s a big vision to carry. It’s challenging but it’s rewarding. It’s hard but it’s good. I could continue to give you analogies and examples to break it down but then I would be attempting to use words that I don’t have(again, par for the coarse). But as it stands, I think I did pretty well with the words that I do have and I hope that this gives you an idea of what the race is and what I actually do as a squad leader. If any of you have any questions leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as possible or you can email me at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you and chat with you. Peace and every blessing.
Thanks for reading!
