Disclaimer: This blog will probably be longer than you and I both want, but just trust me, if you are following me on this journey you want to know this.
I have delayed writing this blog for a week. I struggled with efficiently putting words together about all that has been done inside of me during the glorious eleven days of training camp for the World Race. Honestly, I have not even shared fully with my family (yet) the deep burden that has been placed on me. (Sorry Momma, I love you). My mind is on complete overload. Sure, I told my family and close friends about the interesting meals we were served, the constant rain, the big fat slug that slithered up my tent when I woke up the first morning, and the 2-mile hike that made me want to throw up; but in reality, none of those things actually mattered to me.
It was my second night at training camp. I went a day early for a storyteller workshop, which was the initial kick-off evening session for everyone as a whole. We started with worship. I knew something was fishy and there was going to be conflict in my mind. Excuse my vulnerability here – I love worship and have been a part of leading worship for years. Often when I take part in a worship service, off stage I find myself being disconnected from actually worshiping God because I am too busy pointing out what I don’t like and what I would do differently. Tragic, I know, I have missed many opportunities to connect with Father because of this.
However, this night I was totally enthralled and engaged with the presence of Jesus and worshiped freely, overjoyed, with solid streams running down my cheeks. This was a sweet moment, but I was still waiting to come to a head with my conflict. I have grown up in the same church my entire life, I know what I believe, I know who Jesus is, I am confident in what I have learned, I have two degrees, I love to argue, after all I do have red hair 
. I was searching for my moment to say to God, “Are you sure this is it? I don’t agree with ________.”
The talk started with a phenomenal man named Andrew captivating the room quickly. It was either his sincere passion or his British accent that really seized my attention. I’m still having an internal debate over this, lol. Andrew probably said a lot of really awesome things that night, but none of them mattered as soon as I found what I was going to take to God and argue about. The only issue was, in my heart I actually believed it was true! In fact, I knew it was true, I had just never heard it so clearly.
The narrative I created in my head and heart up to this point in my life drove me to work to honor God by avoiding all things bad, and doing all things good. This is not necessarily wrong, but it is also not supposed to be the epitome of my existence. So, when I heard Andrew say, “Stop trying to love God until you think He loves you, you are Born to be loved,” my mind started RACING. Immediate dialogue in my mind started:
“Can this be right? Is everything I have worked at meaningless? This can’t be true, I am born to glorify God only. OKAY GOD – if it is true then wake me up singing of your love, confirm it in me with your word.”
I was shook. I can’t even remember much anything else from that night that was said. All that mattered to me was knowing if Father’s plan all along was for me to be loved.
If you have never experienced the humor of God, you really should pray about that. I woke up the next three days singing the same lyrics out of my mouth, and all day long I could not escape the words, even my teammates joined in eventually. . The funny part is, the song I know Jesus put in my heart was an old Sean Feucht song that me and my roommates use to play as a joke or for fun when we were in a goofy mood my freshman year of Bible College. It’s called, “Swimming in Your Love.” I could not escape the verse that just repeats over and over “I’m swimming in your love.” Laughing about this in my Spirit I just needed one last good conformation, specifically some evidence from the Word.
I did not have to pull out my concordance or use any Bible Software, I didn’t even have to talk to a theology major, or confirm it with my close friends or family. The Lord used the simplest Bible Verse, the first one I ever learned, and probably the first most Christians learn, John 3:16.
“For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten son, for who so ever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
As I began to question over the next couple of days I came to the conclusion that I am, and you are, born to be loved. It does not say “For God so desired to be glorified by the world, or For God so wanted the World to do good…” It says that he LOVED the world. He loves us. He loves me. I don’t have to do anything right or good, in fact humanity as a whole did everything wrong and bad and he still loves us and sent Jesus for us.
I always knew God loved me, but I had no idea that THIS SWEET LOVE could be the epitome of my existence, my ‘why.’ I no longer have to strive to reach higher, do better, or be more committed than other Christians. This love has put me in a holy inadvertence, that means my mind no longer cares to evaluate my right and wrongs because it is stayed on the LORD’S love for me. This love overwhelms me. My life glorifies Father, Son, Spirit because of this love. I glorify, do good, commune with, honor, and abide in the Father not to achieve anything, not to receive anything, but because He loves me no matter what. He is good, His love is deep, and it energizes me more than any ladder I have attempted to climb in my life.
“Stop trying to love God until He loves you.”
As each day went on, I went to session after session with ears and heart wide open. I learned so many good things useful for life, ministry, and the mission field. Just from the top of my head, with no notes in front of me here is a list of things we covered at training:
– Contextualization
– Metanarrative – This was really cool ask me about it
– Cultural Lenses
– Identity
– Worship: Forms & Function
– Masculine & Feminine attributes of God (YEAH, I LIKE IT)
– Community, Intimacy, Mission
– Kingdom Living
– Ladder of Legalism
– Emotional Healing
– How to tent camp in the rain for two weeks // bucket showers
– Feedback, Conflict, and Preferences – LOVED this concept
– Discovery Bible Study
– The power of Storytelling
– Evangelism
During the first half of training camp and in-between sessions we had team builders. Our leadership split us up into teams of 6 and we did group activities together while being evaluated. This was a great way for our leaders to learn about us as they were prayerfully and dynamically were crafting our first teams for the Race. Everyone who is going on my route (there are three different routes) is a part of my squad, and everyone on a squad is broken down into smaller teams who do life and ministry together. The teams will shift eventually, but for now I have such an amazing team full of six powerful women that I can’t wait to learn from. I know the LORD has great plans for us. The moment our names were called, I knew God was all up in it. COOL STORY:
Throughout the few days of being at training I quickly knew that Gabriella a girl on my squad would be a good friend, the kind of friend that is a very safe place. Gabriella’s mere presence just brings people comfort and peace. She is the kind of person everyone wants on their team… not to mention she is hilarious. We had not been placed on any of the same teams during our team building time, so we were certain that we probably would not be on the same team. FAST FORWARD: We walked out of the training center down to the pavilion to hear who would be on our teams, and as we are walking Gabriella and I joked about how it would be a GOD MIRACLE if we ended up together. Yeah, when our names were called I CRIED HARD, it was for sure a God miracle. I am so thankful for my friends already. Friends?? Yes, in eleven days I made wonderful friends. I could give you an amazing story behind each member of my team just like this one. Ask me.
W Squad –
My TEAM (Wild) – (left to right: Me, Hailey, Annie, Jen, Katrina, Gabriella)
Apart from all the deep ooey-gooey pieces, we had a lot of conventional field training scenarios as well. We had to participate in different cultures every day from food to dress and social customs. We had several intense sleeping scenarios and MY BAGS GOT STOLEN! (I got them back don’t worry). It was all hands on, hearts on, minds on, and I have never been more joyous, and completely happy. Happiness is fleeting, but HEY it sure does help to love what you’re doing right smack down to the bugs and mud.
I could go on and on about how amazingly well Adventures in Missions does in cultivating atmospheres of community, growth, and love. I have many more stories, please find me, call or text me, ask me about this moment in my life that I will never forget because from now on I am completely burdened to share how deep the Father’s love is for me, for you, and the entire world. I am so excited and so thankful to be on this journey of discovery. I am so thankful you are partnering with me to take this love to the nations.
For those wondering about my fundraising journey: My World Race portion of my budget ($19,200) is COMPLETELY paid off!!!!!!! I still have about $5,000 of personal expenses to raise to cover bills and costs while I am gone so if you would like to help support me in anyway you can partner with me in prayer or financially via cash, check, CashApp: $Jordanajones or Venmo @Jordan-Jones-360
Please follow this link to enjoy the hilarious song the Lord dropped in my Spirit:
or
Know that you are loved, and born to be loved.
yee haw,
Jordan
