My name is Darby Jeanette Lofthus and I am from Burnsville, Minnesota. Come September 2015 I am following God’s call and I will be embarking on a nine month journey around the world. I will be spending three months in Guatemala, three months in Malaysia, and three months in Botswana. I am beyond ecstatic to have the opportunity to boldly share the gospel and bring freedom to people who have so longed lived in bondage. My mission is to simply love the people I encounter and along the way share with them the story of a remarkable man named Jesus.
WHO AM I? (quick points)
-Darby Jeanette Lofthus
-Eighteen- born June 9, 1997
-Currently a college drop out
-Partner-in-crime to a handsome boy named Jax Ryan
-Lover of thrift stores, fanny packs, and Birkenstocks
-Friend to some of the coolest 30-year-old women in the world
-Completely in love with my creator and fearlessly following his every call
MY SPIRITUAL WALK
I began fully LIVING for JESUS around the fall of 2012. Growing up I was baptized into the Lutheran church and attended church on a regular basis with my family. As a child church was simply a place I went every Sunday morning. There was no spiritual connection, no want (or need) to know God, and ultimately it was just something that was in my weekly routine. When I was about eight-years-old my parents got divorced and my family slowly stopped attending church. We would attend on the major holidays such as Christmas and Easter, but that was the extent of our involvement in the church. As our involvement in the church lessened so did the little relationship I had with God. Throughout all these trials I had one saving grace and that was my older sister, Logan.
Growing up Logan was (and still is) MY person.. you know.. that person you want so badly to be EXACTLY like? Through my parents divorce Logan managed to stay involved with the church and integrated herself into groups such as FCA and Rampage. She formed a group of Godly friends, who ultimately became my “friends” because I followed her around everywhere. Through my teenage years Logan was the one that consistently brought me to church and ultimately introduced me to Jesus as more than just a picture on the wall. Looking back through my teenage years I can solidly and confidently say that I would not be the person or Christian I am today without my sister.
Fast forward to fall of 2012 Logan and I started attending an Assemblies of God church called Bethel’s Rock. To say the least this church was nothing I had ever experienced before. Coming from a Lutheran and nondenominational background I was slightly mortified by the people marching down the aisles and that “strange language” people spoke. On a Sunday morning in fall of 2012 I walked into this Pentecostal church and unknowingly my life was changed forever. Within about six months I was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. About a year later I was heavily involved with the Youth Group and began seeking an intimate relationship with Jesus. I was starting to understand that I am not perfect and therefore I need a PERFECT SAVIOR and his name is JESUS! Within the past year I have been so very privileged to be apart of a Prophetic LifeGroup ran through my church. This group of Godly woman have poured into me and invested in me like no one has before. I have grown spiritually more in the past year then in the seventeen years prior and I can honestly say I have found a group of women that love me unconditionally.
THE RACE
Going into the race I hope that I can be that safe and secure place for both my fellow racers and the people we encounter along the adventure. I want to be a refuge when people feel weak, but also want to be the person they come to first when they encounter God in a new way or lead someone to Christ. I want to boldly share the Gospel in a way that will leave both myself and the people I encounter permanently changed. This journey is called the World Race, but I see it more as simply my avenue to change the world by changing the worlds of the people I encounter.
Please feel free to contact me through email or messages on my blog- I would love to hear from you! Please pray for my countries and that God’s will would be done. Pray for safety and pray that Jesus will work through me so I can work in others.
P.S. I ask you to pray about supporting me financially and if you feel lead, please give with a joyful heart. This is an adventure I have decided to embark on, but I ask you to partner with me both in prayer and by giving financially.
Lets Change Some Lives Together-
Darby Lofthus
