A couple weeks ago, our squad received an email from our leadership staff informing us that team changes were coming.
Team changes are common during the World Race as a way to continue to challenge, grow and refine us into becoming more like Christ. With new teammates comes different spiritual gifts, strengths and weaknesses that we can learn from and help sharpen each other.
My time with my first team, Wild Fires, was definitely not easy, but I can say it was worth it. Because we were made up of 7 radically different and strong personalities, we had a lot of challenges we needed to overcome as a team. But we did, we overcame them and as a result, we learned a lot from one another. I learned the ingredients of what it takes to create a safe community. I learned what it looks like to be intentional with someone and see him/her well. I learned what it means to be vulnerable and transparent with others. And most importantly, I learned how the body of Christ works. I saw the unique gifts the Father gave each of my teammates and how He used those gifts for the good of our team and ministry. It’s amazing to look back and see how far we came as a team. During these last few weeks as a team in Lesotho, more than anything we were full of laughter and gratitude for one another. We finished strong together. Our Squad Mentor, shared a quote with us that stuck with me, “Let’s live a life of no regrets – for the way you end a season is how you will begin your next.” I’m thankful that we ended on a high note, and I hope that is a sign of what’s to come this next season.
As time came closer and closer to our second debrief of the World Race, a four day retreat where leadership staff fly in to pour into us, teach us, and check in on how we are doing individually and as a team, I could not wait to finally hear who was going to be on my new team. Ever since we received the email about team changes, I had been excited about the opportunity to get to know some of my other squadmates on a deeper level and be a part of a team that naturally meshed well together.
When the time came for the announcements of team leaders and teams, I became anxious. At this point, I had not been asked to team lead again, but I was anticipating my name to be called. After all, Hannah and Lynden our other two team leaders had been chosen to be our raised up squad leaders once our current squad leaders leave the Race next month. But, as Hannah and Lynden revealed the first team leader, and it wasn’t me, I started to doubt I was going to be called. Also, the team leader called didn’t look surprised and therefore I assumed she had already been asked and accepted the role. Then they called the second team leader, also not me, and that doubt increased. With the final team leader name called and I wasn’t selected, I was relieved, but also hurt. Team leading wasn’t something I planned on doing, but when the leadership team asked me to at training camp back in August, I accepted knowing that they had prayerfully picked the leaders and because of the confirmation I received from God when He told me to “feed my lambs and take care of my sheep”.
Team leading these last 4 months was not easy. One of the hardest parts about it was my teammates viewing me as their leader and not as a friend or fellow World Racer. There were walls put up between us that put me on the outside. So once we heard team changes were happening, I expressed to God and some others that I would prefer not to team lead, but I would if they asked. I didn’t want the title, and I was ready to take off some pressure and just be a World Racer.
Despite my prayer being answered, it came with feelings of rejection and inadequacy. My insecurities of not being good enough flooded back. I had already felt like I had not done a great job at team leading and this was only confirmation. I failed. As someone who has tends to base my self worth on performance, I was hurt. Recognizing that I was misplacing my identity, I had to repeat and replace the lies with truths of scripture in my head of who I really am in Christ. Not being selected as team leader didn’t change the fact that God chose me and still chooses me. He chose me before the foundation of the world. It didn’t change the fact that He sees me as his beloved with whom He is well pleased.
With the new team leaders revealed, I was happy for each one and excited about them having the opportunity to step out and grow in a new way.
When Tessa, a new team leader, called my name and handed me a rose to accept, bachelorette style, I was pumped. Tessa is someone I wanted to be on a team with ever since training camp, so I was thrilled she was going to be my team leader. After finding out everyone on my team, I was overjoyed. I saw a team of friends, something I hoped for from the beginning. Something else we noticed about our team is that we are some of the hardest working, so I see excellence and boldness. I see strong woman of God who are going to push me out of my comfort zone and lead me to becoming the woman of God I desire to be.
So without further a due, meet my new team, Five Multiplied.
Mary Beth Byers, Ally Miller, Tessa Pollari, Jessica Torres, and Jessica Leonhardt
- Hometown: Hiram, Ohio
- Age: 24
- Favorite bible verse: “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” Ecclesiastes 11:4-6
- Fun fact: She has an obsession with all things lavender and rose.
Jess Torres
- Hometown: Midlothian, Virginia
- Age: 22
- Favorite bible verse: “My grace is all your need. My power works best in weakness.” “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
- Fun fact: I love colorful pens, worshipping through writing psalms, staying hydrated and lotion. I don’t survive long without chapstick.
Jess Leonhardt
- Hometown: Wyoming
- Age: 22
- Favorite bible verse: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”Ecclesiastes 3:1
- Fun fact: I am deaf and I still have a baby tooth
Mary Beth Byers
- Hometown: Arkansas, Kansas
- Age: 23
- Favorite bible verse: “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.” Isaiah 43:4
- Fun fact: I opened for Pentatonix with my local jazz assemble
