Before I blog about Serbia, I should let you know a bit more about the World Race. Without knowing, it’s easy to think that I am just grabbing a backpack and a tent wandering from country to country. Although I will have a backpack, the World Race isn’t a “backpack around the world freestyle” trip. Nor is it unorganized. Sure, I may not know the exact details all of the time or things may not always go as planned, but I’m not just thrown into the wild. Here is a quick overview of what the World Race is and how racers are organized and connected with ministries.
Adventures in Missions is a missions organization that focuses on discipleship. It was established in 1989 and has taken hundreds of thousands of people into the mission field. Adventures in Missions mobilizes individuals/groups to go on short term or long term mission trips. One long term mission trip is the World Race. The world race is 11 months long and consists of 11 countries.
To do the world race, adults ages 21-35 from all over the United States apply to go on a selected route. After applying, applicants go through an interview process. Once accepted, the future racer is added to the route and connected with a mobilizer. The mobilizer is an alumni racer. This person addresses concerns or questions the racer may have about the trip, and ensures the racer is on track to launch. Ultimately, the mobilizer is a pre-race mentor.
Each route consists of 50, more or less, racers, called a squad. The squad travels together and will serve in the same countries at the same time. While in each country, the squad is divided into teams. Each team could serve in separate communities within that country. The teams consist of 7, more or less, racers. The members of the team serve together and do life together for that month.
Prior to launching, squad members are connected. Squad members spend time getting to know one another, praying for each other, studying the Bible together, and supporting one another. Also, prior to launching, squads leaving in the same month have training camp together. Training camp is where squad members will most likely meet for the first time and of course where racers are trained for the World Race.
In addition, each squad has squad leaders (alum racers) and coaches (who are like Mom and Dad of the squad). These people guide and mentor the racers while on the race. There are also other individuals working behind the scenes at the Adventure in Missions office. Adventure in Missions arranges travel to and from each country. The organization also works with various ministries around the world. Racers are connected with these ministries. For more information about Adventures in Missions, visit www.adventures.org. For information specially about the World Race, visit www.worldrace.org.
To get a look at what a typical day on the race is like, check out these videos!
My next blog will be about Serbia! I will post that blog soon! Be sure to subscribe for updates above!
Please consider supporting me. You may support by praying and by donating. You may donate to my trip fund by clicking donate above or by donating items that I will need while on the race. See the list of recommended items here.
By praying and donating, you are partnering with me and Adventures in Missions to make Jesus known around the world. Feel free to comment below or email me at [email protected]. Thank you for reading, and thank you for your support!
