Why the World Race
We have felt a strong calling to the World Race since the summer of 2017. The World Race is an amazing opportunity for each of us to trust God, both in His timing and His leading.
We are hopeful that God will continue to be faithful and do mighty things while on the field and as we prepare for our launch in January 2019.
A little about us: We live in Morgan Hill, California and have been married since October 2016. We will both be 27 when we start the World Race. We both love playing board and card games. We love going on walks and hikes, and backpacking when we can.
Jonathan
I am incredibly excited to be going on the World Race! I have lived in the Bay Area all my life and have been working as an accountant for the past four years. In the past year, I have felt this desire to do something different, something that would bring me closer to God in ways that align with my passions and talents. My wife Shelly first told me about the World Race when we started dating in 2014. The trip sounded amazing but I didn’t know how it would fit in our relationship. We got married in October 2016 and about 9 months later, I felt God’s calling for me to go on the Race. By His grace and timing, I get to experience the World Race with Shelly by my side.
God has put on my heart this desire to surrender to Him and to follow Him. This decision to serve Him overseas has required me to reflect on my relationship with God and determine if He is truly my King. If He is my King, I need to lay down and give up anything that is keeping me from fully serving Him. There are parts of me that are trying to hold on to the security of a steady job and the comfort of my family and church community, but Jesus never said that following Him would be comfortable. I am expecting God to grow me in ways I could never imagine. I cannot wait to begin this journey.
Psalm 91:2 – “This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting him.“
Shelly
I was 20-years-old when I heard the Gospel for the first time. I cried because I couldn’t believe that God loved me enough to send His Son to die for me. I couldn’t believe that I was valuable enough in God’s eyes for such a sacrifice. After a couple Sunday sermons, a lot of crying, and praying for the first time, I fell in love with Him and I devoted my life to the Lord. I have a passion for connecting people in real relationships in their community and with God. I love getting to know others and reminding them of their value in God’s eyes. I have a heart for people and have a desire to encourage and empower others.
I have always loved traveling and experiencing new cultures. My passion for missionary work began during my first mission trip to Japan in 2013, and it was reinforced during another mission trip to Haiti in 2014. Both trips gave me a greater perspective of how God moves throughout the world.
The World Race has been on my heart for four years, and because God is faithful and perfect in His timing, I now get to experience the World Race with my amazing husband. I am so excited to see how God will work while we are on this journey!
