I started actually walking with Jesus after my Freshmen year of college, and it’s been a ROLLERCOASTER since then. I’ve been through the hardest, most rewarding years of my life since then, and if I told the me 5 years ago that this is where i’d be at 25, I would have laughed. One thing i’ve learned about following Jesus is that my best plans rarely, if ever, turn out the way that I thought they would. And, you know what? Life has always turned out better than I thought it would. Harder? Absolutely. More obstacles, less certainty? No doubt . But always beautiful.
So 3 years ago when the Father gave me a vision for an adventure travel company that would be used to lift whole communities up out of poverty and introduce them to the tangible love of Jesus in the process, I was all about it. I had never dreamed that travel or development would be passions of mine, but they snuck up on me out of nowhere in a little lakeside town in Nicaragua. I had a new dream, a new vision, and I was going to change the world. My thoughts were- “I have direction after returning from the Race! I’m going to go straight home, work construction, make enough money to travel all that I can and do the networking I need to start the travel company that will help pull some of these impoverished communities out of poverty. And best of all, the Lord has called me to do a business, so i’ll be the one giving money instead of asking for it.” I was set; or so I thought. Most of you know what really happened, but for those who don’t, here’s a quick recap: I returned to the States, not to Memphis, but to Gainesville, Ga. Instead of getting my world changing travel company up and running, I took a job helping other people travel all over the world as missionaries. Instead of never having to fundraise again, I had to raise $12,000 a year to make barely above minimum wage. But I also lived in a community that God used to challenge and grow me, develop me professionally in a safe environment, helped me to network with travel visionaries that have a heart for development all over the world, and taught me to hear the voice of Jesus and walk with Him like a man walks with a friend (i’m still very new on this journey, but i’m on it). These plans were so far from my mind that it’s almost comical, but the fruit that has been borne in me personally, professionally, and spiritually was unpredictable, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
So when the Father invited me to leave this job and step into squad leading for the World Race’s J-squad in August, I accepted the invitation. I accepted even though I had no clue what I would do afterwards, and would have to continue raising money. I accepted even though my young company (Kingdom Adventure Travel, sorry not sorry for the shameless plug) was finally getting some traction and on the way to making money. I accepted even though I had the community and growth that I had been praying for in Gainesville. And Dad has been faithful and so, so kind to me in my obedience, and even added to my vision for the future. Because I’ve seen Jesus meet people where they are at and literally change lives, the fire has been stoked in me to not only help create jobs in the travel industry, but to introduce people to the living, breathing Jesus that can change more than just their financial situation.
And now, the main reason for this letter. In January of 2017, I will be attending the G42 Leadership Academy in Mijas, Spain. I’ll be receiving training on how to implement my vision of having Kingdom Adventure Travel empower under-resourced communities around the world. I’ll be poured into by men and women who are passionate about building healthy leaders who are passionate about building Christ centered communities all around the globe. From church planting to business to ministry, G42 alumni do it all. I’m going to learn how to put my plan into action and also do some of the soul work that I need in order to develop the character and integrity needed for the work that God has called me to. I’ll not only have a 5 year plan for my business and the network and backing to make it happen, but I’ll have the intimacy with Jesus and maturity to sustain it as a confident Son of the King. And i’m asking you to partner with me.
It’s going to cost $6,800 for me to take part in the 6 month training, and I need to have $3,800 of that by January 1st. This is not only an investment in me as a person, but also in what the Lord is going to do through Kingdom Adventure Travel as I work to develop the vision and the plan. I’m so serious about pressing in here that i’m investing the first $500. I’d love for you to join as one of my investors, prayerfully and financially, and i’ll be sending periodic prayer updates. And, because I believe in the true “win-win”, my business partner, Stacey Pratt, and I are OFFERING 10% OFF ANY KINGDOM ADVENTURE TRAVEL TRIP FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS for anyone that invests $250 or more into my G42 fund. We’re currently offering trips in Ireland, Peru, Nepal, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador, so it’d be worth your time!
Please feel free to write me if you have any questions, or if you want to give! You can also give a tax-deductible gift here:http://www.g42leadershipacademy.org/donate , and put “Andrew Chambers” in the blank entitled, “appealed by”. You can give a one time donation, or recurring monthly.
Thanks for being willing to invest in what God is doing in and through me around the world!
Andrew
PS- to see what KAT is already up to, visit our website at www.kingdomadventuretravel.com !
