This time, it’s different.
This journey that started on the cliffs of California currently finds me in Canton Georgia. The road to get there? 30,000 miles around the globe, heartbreak and healing, growth and an understanding of identity that I’ve spent my whole life longing for. I’m a Son, well loved and confident in who I am.
The past few months being back in the United States have found me in an interesting place in life. I came home and to be honest; I was completely broken from what I had seen, found and loved on the World Race. And the process of hurting and allowing myself to feel the pain of summiting such a large mountain of my life was difficult and needed. But in that time; in that valley, the Lord was beyond good.
I’ve been working and living in Canton Georgia, and the path that I’m to walk has been made clear. I understand my talents and my gifting. I understand my passions and my desires for life. I know what fulfills me and when I’m living my calling. And that, my friends, is a life on mission.
This doesn’t require me to go overseas. This doesn’t require me to leave the US. Mission is everywhere. Bob Goff says, “it’s no more noble to go across the ocean than it is to venture across the street”. And yet, the Father has been so good to me in providing clear guidance and direction; and to be honest? Favor.
I’ve been asked to act as an intern for Adventures in Missions in Africa for a little over a month starting in January. It’s a unique opportunity, more of a, “leadership intern” position. I’ll be traveling to R squad as they are in the field to Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, and I’ll be pouring into them, checking in on them physically, mentally, and spiritually, and I’ll move across the countries borders with them; in a position to further develop my talents in service and leadership in the church/the body of Christ. It’s an honor for me to take this next venture on, and it’s part of the life I desire to live. A life on mission.
Then the real crazy fun begins. From Africa I’ll be flying to Mijas Spain, to intern at G42. A leadership/ discipleship school. Think of it as a really intense 9 months, 6 in the classroom and 3 out in the mission field somewhere internationally, and I will be stepping full time into the gift I’ve been given to live a life of loving the Lord’s people. I’ll be studying theology, and the practical application into the modern world of church planting, outreach, leadership, and serving the church and communities around the world and at home.
And the reality is? It isn’t the same. This isn’t the World Race. This isn’t about traveling and exploring and it isn’t the first step into my faith. But it is the next step. Again I’ll be fundraising. This year it will be closer to $15,000, about the same as last year. And this time? This isn’t me asking for support for a trip. This is my life in this season. I’m searching for people to partner with me in international ministry, both to the nations and to the young Americans I’m privileged to lead and walk alongside in discipleship.
This next chapter isn’t the same. This next chapter is the result of years of the Lord being so patient with me, pouring into me, building me, and if you’re reading this blog? At this point? I’d be willing to be you’ve played a hand in that. So; thank you. Thank you for standing with me and allowing me to be the hands and feet around the world. More from this page soon.
All the Love
Nick
