This week I will wrap up my final course at Ole Miss and move back to Texarkana as I prepare to leave in January for my race. I will now be entering a stage where I will be working full time as well as fundraising for my trip. In order to be a participant in the World Race I will need to raise funds totaling $18,700. I will be working at Goins Plastic Source doing accounting and learning from my mom in order to raise a portion of the funds myself.
My efforts alone will not get me there. Below is my fundraising letter, which explains a little behind why I decided to apply for the World Race and goes into what I will be doing on this trip. In the letter I mention partnering with me, this could mean a number of things such as making monthly donations to help fund my trip. Continually praying for my team and I as we prepare to set out and are on our journey. Setting up an opportunity for me to speak about my trip with any spiritual or social organizations (Sunday school classes, garden clubs, etc.) you are a part of. Anything you may feel called to do in support are all things that would encompass becoming a partner. The full list of countries I will be traveling to include: Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Nepal, China, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Spain, and Morocco.
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Dear friends and family,
I will be graduating from Ole Miss at the end of this summer with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. I will have my credit hours needed to sit for the CPA Exam upon finishing my classes at the end of the summer. I was signed on to start full time with the public accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP in Houston, Texas.
Then I heard about this event called the World Race, which is a missionary ministry that is a part of Adventures in Mission. The World Race is an 11 month mission trip where young adults travel on an expedition route through 11 different countries. I immediately felt a calling to put my current path on hold and apply. I was accepted to the route known as the 10/40 Window, which is a route that travels through an area of the world in which the fewest people have heard the gospel.
I am very fortunate that after having reached out to my firm they agreed to extend my start date until I returned from my trip. My original plan had been the culmination of all the work I had been putting into my education and I was undoubtedly in a very comfortable and fortunate position to begin my career. However I quickly came to realize that the World Race is not myself putting life on hold, but rather me living my life for a higher purpose and adapting my own plans to answer the calling that God has placed on my heart.
Through the World Race, I will be placed on a team. My team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, and bring the restorative hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations.
I am looking forward to answering God’s call and being able to stretch my faith as I grow in my relationship with Jesus. Similar to most other mission organization, World Race participants are required to fundraise financial support; this is my greatest current challenge. My race begins in January of 2018 and in order to leave I will need to be funded in the amount of $18,000. I will be moving to Texarkana in July to begin working at Goins Plastic Source to raise a portion of the funds myself, but my efforts alone will not get me there. As I take this large step of faith in trusting the Lord, I am asking family and friends to prayerfully consider partnering with me. This could mean making monthly donations, praying over my team, and myself, or whatever you may feel called to do in support.
I would be happy to answer any questions you might have by phone or in person. You can also visit my blog at (JohnDavidGoins.theworldrace.org) to find out more about my trip and follow my journey.
God Bless,
Adventures In Missions is a tax-exempt organization under IRS code 501(c)(3) and is a member of the ECFA. (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Due to IRS and ECFA regulations governing the administration of tax deductible donations given in support of a particular trip/program, support contributions given on behalf of an individual will be used to offset the costs of the trip/program you are involved in. All contributions are non-refundable regardless of the participant’s success in completing the program.
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I was in my favorite coffee shop in Oxford today while studying for a final. I opened a drawer at the desk I was sitting at and found a bunch of notes from people who had sat in my spot previously. Each note offered a kind word or a bit of thoughtful encouragement. I decided to leave my own note behind; I chose to write one of my favorite pieces of scripture that I turn to during stressful times. The verse is Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I found this relevant to share, as I am sure I will be turning to this verse more often in the coming months. I am very excited to see what God has in store for me over the coming year as I try and live out the calling he has placed on my heart.
