A few weeks ago I got the idea to interview my squad members as a way to introduce those who are close to me to the people I will be serving with for a year, and I immediately got excited about the idea! So this is the start of a new little blog series where I’ll post about 3 interviews per blog post of each of my squad mates. I’ll also link their blogs so y’all can read more into their hearts. I hope each of you who read these can enjoy getting to know a little bit about the W Squad.
1. Where are you from and how old are you?
“I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma and I am 21 years old.”
2. When did you become a Christian?
“I became a Christian at the super young age of four. I still remember the exact moment, but it didn’t keep me from recommitting my life every week for years until someone explained to me that’s not a requirement, haha.”
3. What is one difficult thing you are proud to have overcome?
“Like many things in life, you often don’t just ‘overcome’ an obstacle once and for all. It becomes easier and easier but can still be a struggle at times. As a shy kid, speaking in public was a nightmare. But I pushed myself in middle school, high school, and college to speak and speak with confidence any chance I got. I’m grateful to say that now I can get up in front of a crowd and not want to run away, haha. Small victories along the way lead to big results!”
4. Why did you decide to join The World Race?
“I decided to join The World Race because I love missions and I love people. I think the WR is such a unique opportunity that lets young adults commit a year of their life to learn how to cultivate relationships with all types of people. It’s important to not just serve people’s physical needs, but also understand their emotional needs. I’m excited to be able to do both of those things through the empowerment of Christ’s love in an overseas capacity for a little piece of time. I just want to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and this seemed like the direction He was pointing me towards.”
5. What are you passionate about?
“I am passionate about missions, Jesus, videography, and animals. he first two are a given, but the second two I have discovered over the course of my life. I love creating videos that capture any sort of memory people can look back on for years to come. It’s definitely my outlet for creativity to run loose. I’ve loved animals since I was a little girl, and my dream is to own a couple of dogs, chickens, and goats in the future…and maybe a cow…and maybe a horse or two, heehee.”
6. What is your current life verse?
“I don’t know if I have a current ‘life verse,’ but one I’ve always kept at the forefront is John 3:30 – ‘He must increase, I must decrease.’ Colossians 3:12 is a verse that has stood out to me more recently. It says, ‘Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.’ I think that one sentence just unravels a whole bunch of truths if you let it.”
7. What is one thing you want people to know about you?
“One thing that I want people to know about me is that I love to laugh. I truly think that laughing creates this invisible shield around your heart that helps to keep out bitterness, jealousy, hatred, and loneliness. Smiling and laughter is just a force to be reckoned with, and it’s almost like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger and more powerful it becomes.”
1. Where are you from and how old are you?
“I’m from Rome, Georgia, and I am 23 years old.”
2. When did you become a Christian?
“I initially got saved when I was 7, but really started pursuing God when I was 17, had a few bumps in the road, and continued my walk and growth around age 22.”
3. What is one difficult thing you are proud to have overcome?
“A huge thing that I am currently overcoming is believing that God is all that matters. His truth, His plan, His provision, His definition of me, His love.”
4. Why did you decide to join The World Race?
“I joined The World Race for a couple of reasons.
- I fiercely needed to get out of my comfort zone. I was way too comfortable being complacent.
- I wanted to do more for God. I craved the Spirit like never before, and The World Race was the perfect opportunity to experience God in new ways.”
5. What are you passionate about?
“I’m super, super passionate about photography and telling a story through it. I’m hoping to get lots of awesome ‘storytelling photos’ while on The World Race. :)”
6. What is your current life verse?
“I have two life verses.
- Psalm 91:11, ‘For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways’
- 2 Timothy 1:7, ‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but o power and of love and of a sound mind.’
7. What is one thing you want people to know about you?
“I love, love, love, being an encouragement and relating to people. I believe it’s one of my spiritual gifts.”
1. Where are you from and how old are you?
“I’m originally from Cape Cod, MA, but I’m currently living in Denton, TX. I’m 21 years old.”
2. When did you become a Christian?
“Christianity and a relationship with Christ has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. My dad was a pastor, so I grew up in the church, but I really made the decision for myself when I was a sophomore in college. I had everything in my life just start to unravel, and I couldn’ handle the pressure of it. I hit rock bottom and just cried out to the Lord for help.”
3. What is one difficult thing you are proud to have overcome?
“My anxiety. I struggle intensely with letting go of the control over my life, and when my life began to spiral out of control my anxiety skyrocketed. I would spend hours obsessing over every little detail of everything, what I could have done differently, what people thought of me, etc. The Lord really freed me of that burden, and it’s something I’m still working on, but I’ve come so far!”
4. Why did you join The World Race?
“I joined The World Race because I really heard God telling me to let go of the plans that I had for my life and follow what He has chosen for me. If you had told me 4 years ago that I wouldn’t be graduating this May with a bachelors in Social Work and without a detailed 10-year plan, I would have laughed in your face. God has really been teaching me that my way is not always the intended way.”
5. What are you passionate about?
“The thing I’m most passionate about is people, the broken-hearted, the weary, the lost, and the afraid. I just know that I’m being called to help others, and right now that means The World Race. I’m not sure how it’s gonna be translated later into life”
6. What is your current life verse?
“The Lord will fight for you; you just need to be still. Exodus 14:14”
7. What is one thing you want people to know about you?
“Before the World Race, I was planning on becoming a firefighter!”
This will likely be my last round of interviews before training camp next week. Hopefully, more will follow soon! Until then. xxx
