Presenting….Team S.E.E.D.S

 

A few days ago while at debrief in Bangkok, Thailand I was
called in to talk with the squad leaders. The expressed that they felt I’d done
an exceptional job as leader of Team Liberators but that some changes had to
occur due to several people on the squad leaving the Race recently. Several
members of Team Ex-stream had gone home leaving their team with only three
members. Due to the necessity of changes in teams the squad leaders began to
petition the Lord about what to do. They felt that the Lord told them I needed
a season of rest from being a leader and would be the best choice as a new addition to former Team
Ex-stream.

 

I’ll admit I was shocked at first by the changes, again the realization that I’d been holding onto the expectation of being leader of Team Liberators was very deep in my heart. I had some very good conversations with the Lord about why I was feeling so upset. I honestly was thrilled about my new team, but I felt very weird being  asked to leave the team whom I’d been fighting for literally since training camp.I’ve spent 4 months pouring all that I am into leading my team and felt that by taking me out of that position I was somehow “failing” as a leader. The Lordly gently but firmly reminded me that my worth was not to be wrapped into a title or a position (leader). He reminded me that the friendships and family ties that I’ve built with my teammates would not be severed just because I now was on another team. He told me that this new season is an incredible gift that I can absolutely blossom in. 

 

So….

I am thrilled to announce that Janell King from Team Shabach was called
into leadership of Team Liberators who have now been renamed “Shakinah”. Please continue to keep them and the rest of our squad in your prayers while we transition into Africa.

 

I am
also VERY excited to announce that our new team name is S.E.E.D.S which stands
for Sowing Seeds, Edifying Others, Enjoying Community, Defending Justice, and
Serving God. Over the last 4 months we all felt that the Lord had been speaking
to our hearts about how many seeds we were sowing for the kingdom…no matter
what the ministry, or what country we are in…we were sowing seeds every day
with every conversation, with the smiles and hugs given…the kingdom is
expanding and we are pumped to be His workers this year.

Bonnie, Jordan, Me, Ryan- couldn’t help but take the opportunity for an old school prom pic pose 🙂

 

 

Our team is led by the one and only Jordan Wheeler…He is
absolutely a man of God who is so strong in His faith and love for the Lord. He
has a heart for defending justice and living out the kingdom that you can’t
help but be challenged with when you are around him. He also is wonderfully sarcastic
and brings a constant light hearted humor to every situation. I have had the
awesome opportunity to get to know Jordan by leading along side him as our
teams were paired together in Month 1 in the Philippines. During that month I
saw his heart for his team and his true desire to meet the Lord. In just 4
months I have seen so much growth in his faith and leadership, strength amidst
trials, and constant optimism through every up and down the year has brought. I
could not be more honored to be under his leadership this year and cannot wait
to see how he   helps myself and our   team go  
to even deeper places of intimacy with the Lord.

 

 

Along with Jordan there is another incredibly strong
spiritual encourager in my teammate Ryan Hurd. Ryan is a man who has a heart
fully devoted to seeing the kingdom expand and Jesus’ name glorified. He has a
passion that is absolutely contagious, he can walk into a room and start up a
conversation naturally with just about anyone. I have been so encouraged and
challenged by his confidence and boldness for bringing the gospel this year. He
absolutely takes advantage of every opportunity to tell everyone how much God
loves them and wants them to have a relationship with Him! Ryan has an awesome smile that is so inviting and makes people feel
completely at ease when they are with him, evidenced by the many friends he
makes in every country we visit. I am so excited to be on a team with Ryan this
year!

 

 

My third incredible teammate is Bonnie Coley. I still remember
arriving at training camp, Bonnie was one of the very first girls I met and
instantly felt comfortable. I knew after that first day that she would become
one of my closest friends on The Race. Bonnie has an incredible ability to make
you feel completely at ease and valued no matter what state of emotions you
come to her in. She has definitely been a confidante and constant source of encouragement
during this first 4 months. She has a strong and inspiring faith. She is
willing to admit that she may not have all the answers figured out but that she does know
what she believes and stands by those beliefs even if she’s the only person
standing in the room. She also has the awesome ability to love freely,
especially those people that are so quickly overlooked by society. I am so so
so blessed to have her friendship in my life, and am SO thrilled to now be able
to serve along side her as her new teammate!