in little five points in Atlanta, Georgia when all of a sudden a familiar face
comes walking along side of us. I turn to see five members of N squad crossing
the street running toward us. The
excitement in the group was palpable, filled with love as we all embraced each
other. From an outsiders
perspective you would have thought that we had not seen each other in months.
The truth was that we had just left training camp a few hours earlier and were
killing time until we had to fly to our homes all over the country. We excitedly told stories from the last
few hours apart. We couldn’t wait
to share and spend more time together making memories.
That’s when it hit me: this is what community is all
about. I now have a new community,
a new world race family. This
community of people is real, honest, raw, like-minded, passionate, crazy, but
most importantly LOVE EACH OTHER and LOVE JESUS. The world race is full of people who are willing to be sold
out for the Lord at all cost. They
love and embrace unconditionally.
They are real, transparent, and want to meet you where you are in your
journey. I, along with 120 other
new world racers felt the freedom to be exactly who we are with out expectation
that we would be something we are not.
Empowered by the fact that there is no cookie cuter mold that determines
who we are and how we can worship. Empowered by the authority we have because
Christ lives in us. Empowered by the fact that God speaks and guides us. We are
not perfect and certainly don’t fit societies stereotype of Christianity. This is not a judgmental or
hypocritical group. It is full of
love, acceptance, joy, hope, laughter, and freedom.
My community during the year will be the 60 people in N
squad and the people who will come alongside to disciple us throughout the
year. My family for the year will
be my team. I have been give the
honor and privilege of leading team Radiance: Holly, Bek, Ellen, Lyndsie, Sarah,
and myself. Please remember
to keep us in your prayers as we prepare to go. This year will certainly be filled with joy, laughter, hope and
love as well as hardship, brokenness, and tears. These women are so amazing and I cannot wait to spend the
next year of my life serving, growing, loving, and bringing kingdom wherever we
go. This year we will radiate
hope, love, life, peace, joy, freedom, and so much more…
Team Radiance: Sarah Hoffman, Bek Conley (Rebekah), me,
Holly Thigpin, Lyndsie Nele, Ellen Cunningham
Psalm 34:4-5
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from
all my fears. Those who look to
Him are radiant; their faces are
never covered with shame.
