Fair warning, what you are about to read is kinda long, but I figured I would share the heart behind why I am going on the Race… Grab yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy 🙂
Things in Lynchburg have been crazy and exciting. Jesus has been so good to me! I am humbled I get to be part of His work as I have seen so many students be transformed by His power. It is crazy to think that after 10 years I will leave the States to do what I consider the craziest thing I have ever done. The countries we will be going to are considered some of the most unreached places for the gospel; we get to be carriers of light in dark places!
Why the Word Race and why now? For the last year, I have been asking the Lord what it means to be the church. Like for real, how is His bride to be represented here on earth as we long for His return? Many answers, different views and opinions and still not sure I have a grasp of it. However, I think the Race is going to be a journey that will help me find answers. I am eager and excited about going to 11 countries and seeing Jesus reveal Himself through each culture. If we are made after His image we all are bearers of who He is. I believe each culture captures some of His attributes. So hopefully the more we emerge in other cultures the more we will get to experience the fullness of our Savior.
I love what I do now and it has been an honor to serve Jesus here in the States but also I have been praying for Him to send me around the globe for a while now and He is finally saying yes. I want to be completely transparent with you, this trip is a gift to me. A gift that He is so graciously allowing to be part off and I promise I don’t for a second take it lightly. I am nervous, excited, eager, doubtful, expectant and everything in between. Although, I have zero confidence in my skills I can praise Him because I am secure in Him and His Spirit. It will be a fun ride as I see Him do what I could never do on my own.
The one thing I know I want this experience to be is an adventure that many get to be part of. I need the love and support of those around me. Which is where you come into play. First, I am asking you to become part of this team by becoming a cheerleader. I am going to need all the encouragement in the world! Honestly many of you have already been doing that and I cannot put into words how thankful I am. I have 6 months before I leave and then 11 months on the go, I need you. Second, prayer, prayer, and a little bit more prayer. If you remember to bring my team before the King on a regular basis you will be my hero. I believe in prayer as I believe in the Lord. I need your prayers as much as I need your encouragement. I really need to have people praying for us because who knows what is coming. I know His work will not be accomplished apart from prayer. Third, the one I personally struggle with the most, money. My big ole pride gets in the way and it is really hard for me to ask others for money. Another praise to Jesus because He knows without me asking I will not be going anywhere. This 11-month mission has a cost of about 20,000. Yeah, I know! The total covers everything so I guess looking it from a positive perspective is not that much after all. This is me trying to convince myself is not much money.
So here is the final proposition for you. I am asking you to consider joining one or two or all three of these mini teams. The cheerleader squad, the prayer squad or the money squad. I ask that you let me know if you want to join the team in any way because I want to know my teammates! I want tons of people to join because I believe the Lord is going to use this to teach us more about Himself, His bride, and the beauty of other cultures. Here is an invitation to a wild adventure around the world. An invitation to partner with us as we prepare for what I believe will change the eternal destiny of many. I pray that it will be an adventure so full of the Holy Spirit that none of us can take any credit for His work.
“Let us declare that by His Spirit people will come to know Him, the lame will walk, the blind will see, the deaf will hear, and the dead will rise”
