I am so excited to introduce the world to my incredible team. This is the small group of women that I will spend the first part of the World Race with- living, doing life, and participating in ministry. They are all so different from each other and from me, but I think that’s what makes them so great! From today on, when you pray for me, please remember my teammates too! We’ll be hitched together and need prayer for health, unity, and strength!
Our team name is Established in Love (or Est. in Love for short) and is derived from Ephesians 3, where Paul prays over the people of Ephesus. This is our prayer for these first few months, that we will be strengthened by God’s power, letting Jesus dwell in our hearts, and remembering that we are rooted and established in the love of Christ. We are so excited to be part of what God is doing in and through W Squad of the World Race. We are all so honored to have you along for the journey!
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21
This is Reagan. She is from Los Angeles and works for the Global Down Syndrome Association. She is our team leader and treats everyone with love, care and attention. Reagan is an observer, deep thinker, and truth speaker. She loves sunrises, Whole Foods, being with friends, live music, and cold brew coffee. Reagan is excited to see how God works in our lives as we journey through these next 11 months (and countries).
This is Diana. She is from Chicago, and just graduated from a christian university in Michigan. Diana is quiet when you first meet her, but tells the best, most colorful stories. She is a runner (God help us if she drags us along!) and is dedicated to her people, her hobbies, and the Lord. Diana loves the smell of coffee beans, but doesn’t really like coffee itself. Diana wants to glorify God in all she does, even if it’s watering plants and picking up trash! Diana is our storytelling expert and is going to keep us all on track to post at least once a week. If you hear from me, she’s most likely the person to thank!
This is Mikayla. She is a new graduate of the University of Illinois. She loves peace signs and open-mouth smiles (if you couldn’t tell from her pic). Mikayla loves people, music, and is passionate about seeing lives changed for Jesus. She loves the smell of unfinished basements and tells the best stories. Mikayla is our math wizard, so basically she’ll do the heavy lifting [for at least me] with currency and time changes for as long as we’re together. Mikayla is spirit-led in her life and is always the first to ask “can we pray right now?”
This is Maddie. She is from Dallas, loves coffee, fall, and flowers. She is a former sorority girl and is now the children’s ministry director at her church. Maddie loves big, shares my belief that the world’s problems can be solved in a cabana on a beach, and adds so much charm and glitter to our team. Maddie is silly (in the very best way) and loves to shout people’s worth. She is passionate about hearing people’s stories and seeing them redeemed in Jesus’ name.
This is Diane (not Diana). She went to bible college in San Antonio (bigger and better) and lives in Arkansas (woo pig sooie). She is an avid cycler, loves her family and can’t wait to see the beautiful landscapes of all of our countries. Diane knows the Bible and isn’t afraid to gently wield it. She is also our resident Spanish speaker, so we’re praying we’ll all be with her when we get to South America next year! She is wise and provides a calming peace to our team. I think Diane will keep us all sane these first few months!
This is Stephanie. She is a graphic designer from Nashville, loves sweet tea and Mexican food like it’s her job, and is crazy about Mississippi State football. Nachos are her favorite food, she gets the hiccups sometimes (but only one single hiccup) and makes me laugh so hard. Steph is the first person from my squad that I met in person. We bonded during a terrible storm in Georgia when we showed up to Training Camp a day early for a storytelling workshop. She is vulnerable, strong, and sees people as Jesus sees them: beloved and redeemed.
