Intimacy. Community. Mission. These are the core values of the World Race, and it’s what I experienced at training camp for the last 10 days.
Intimacy – Intimacy with God, who loved me before I was born and ever since I met Him has shown me His pursuit of my heart, challenged me to grow into the woman He created me to be, gently disciplined me when I messed up, and loved me so well that I can’t imagine how I ever lived without knowing Him. I had sweet moments with God at camp, and He also challenged me in a handful of areas, one of which was to step confidently into roles I know I can fill on my squad because of the gifts or experiences He’s given me. One of these was worship. I love worshiping God with music. I love singing backup with the worship team at church. I love playing my guitar and singing to worship God in my own room. But those who know me well know that it has been a real challenge for me to play guitar and sing in front of others. One of my friends of 4 years just moved in with me, and she told me she didn’t even know I played guitar! I didn’t realize it until that moment, but I keep my worship pretty private. But for several years God has been nudging me to lead worship when those moments happen, and I decided a while ago that even if I didn’t want to, I would say yes. I’ve led worship maybe 10 times, and every time I’ve been incredibly nervous. But at camp, when those moments came up and I said yes, I felt no nervousness or worry at all. It was a privilege to share the gift God has trusted me with. It was a blessing to me to see how God used my yes to create moments for the whole squad to worship Him together. I feel even closer to God’s heart now because for the first time I am not afraid to invite others into intimacy with God through worship with songs and praise. And, what’s also amazing is that I was asked to be one of the worship coordinators for the squad! I am humbled and excited to step into this role!
Community – Late night laughs, early morning prayers, bucket shower shenanigans, sharing food, clothes, and tents, sharing shame and burdens…… honestly it’s so difficult to describe the community I found myself in at camp. My squad is 24 people strong, each one with unique personalities and gifts. It feels like I have known them for months. I was honestly worried that I wouldn’t fit in, but I have already found a home with these people that I get to call family for the next 11 months. On the second day, we had to complete a 3 mile hike with our backpacks under 1 hour. I was not going to make it. But two of my squadmates stayed back with me to encourage me and literally push and pull me all the way to the end. They risked not making time themselves and having to re-do the hike in order to stay back and help me. They barely even knew me. In this moment I saw community at its best. I believe my squad will strive to serve and love each other well as we take this journey together, through the good times and the challenges. I saw the light of Christ shining brightly in each person, and we are a body of believers, the church, unified and ready to go to the nations and share Christ’s love with those who don’t know Him.
Mission – Every day at camp we had teaching sessions to learn about topics ranging from church planting to forgiveness to preaching and more. We also learned how to interact with people in different cultures, and even went through travel and ministry scenarios we’ll probably encounter on the field. Yes, on the World Race I’ll have intimacy with God and a Christ-centered community, but it doesn’t end there. We have the opportunity to share our lives and community with people we’ll meet in each country, and to share the wonderful news that intimacy and friendship with God is available through Jesus. Everyone’s heart is stirred with a passion for missions and to be ambassadors of Christ to the nations we’ll travel to. During a free half-day we had at camp, they challenged us to be a part of how God was moving in the city around us. One of my squadmates and I had the chance to talk with a woman and pray for her. She even gave us a connection to a home that serves and empowers young girls in Morocco, which is one of the countries we will serve in, so there’s a chance we can get connected with them. And she wants us to keep in touch with her! It was awesome to watch God work as we took one tiny step of faith right where we were, and I can’t wait to see what He’ll do on the Race!
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” Isaiah 52:7
Z Squad. Family.
Overall, training camp was full of practical tools/teachings/experiences we’ll need on the field, and it was an opportunity for us to grow as a squad and as individuals. I am more pumped than ever to head out!
