How Do I Lead

Leadership has been a big part of my World Race experience.  For the first couple months of this trip I was one of two logistics leaders for the squad, month 3, I was asked to lead the all man’s team in Thailand, and ever since then I have been squad leading this crazy group of Christians ALL over this extremely hot part of the world.  I find it interesting that this has been my first real experience leading people spiritually.  I’ve been responsible for leading people in the business world, but I’ve never been given an opportunity to pour into so many people in this way.

Cows are sacred in this part of the world and roam the streets like dogs.

So what the heck does a spiritual leader look like anyways and what does one do with this type of opportunity?  Honestly, my answer to these questions has been evolving each month.  Tricia (my co-squad leader) and myself often find ourselves in situations where we don’t know the answer.  We are often amazed at the myriad of bizarre predicaments that we find ourselves in.  We are constantly re-adjusting and re-adjusting our approach.  When making decisions, our emotions quite commonly flow between excitement, defeat, laughter, anger, sadness, frustration, hope, fear, confusion, and confidence.  We always pray, but we don’t always hear clearly from God or know His will.


First time eating McDonalds in a while…however, they sadly don’t sell beef.

We have been learning to embrace the challenge…to embrace uncertainty…and to trust decisions made in love and prayer.  God is growing our faith and teaching us to trust Him.  He is always bringing us back to the simplicity of the gospel…loving God & others.  We have become more and more dependent on Him through all of this, needing Him to show up, so I am quite certain we are on the right track!

My first time participating in VBS (Vacation Bible School)

Something my old squad leader, Patrick, mentioned often, was that he wanted to see me become better than himself.  This thought has stuck with me because it’s one of the clearest ideas, to me, of what to be thinking about when leading others.  It reminds me of what Jesus told His disciples… “that they would “do greater works than Him (John 14:12).â€�  Even Jesus was trying to push us into greater works than Himself. 

During the last 3 years of my life, since becoming a Christian, I have learned so much more than I originally thought I would.  I have had much time to seek God and learn His ways and I have begun walking out this NEW life He has given me.  During this trip I have realized more and more that everything I have learned & received from God is NOT for me to hold onto.  As I’ve cried out to God for more, He’s told me on several occasions that I need to: DO what I know already and share EVERYTHING that I know with others.  I have freely received from God, so now I must freely give it all away.  So this is where I’m at right now with this whole leadership thing.  I have made myself an open book to this squad.  I am “tryingâ€� to think of the best way to make them better than myself, rather than always focusing on ME…which is very hard, but like Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than receiveâ€� and I am trying to make this a reality in my life.

JD, Me, Jared

***Below, I have provided a link to a website where you can download a series of teachings on healing (19 Sessions).  I don’t usually do this, but I had a dream which I believe is from God, and I think He wants me to share this.  It has greatly helped me and I’d love to hear anyone’s thoughts on it.

http://www.revivalorriots.org/jglm-dht