This one goes out to our squad leaders. To the people that have spent 9 months on the field with us. To the people that have poured all of their knowledge out to us day in and day out. To the people that have chosen in to loving us really well every single day. To the people who have been great disciplers, leaders, and friends.
Squad leaders are people that have already done 11n11 but have chosen to come and do the whole Race again because they care enough about the next generation. Because they know that the Race has the possibility of being highly influential in people’s lives and they wanted to be able to give us the best experience. Our squad is incredibly blessed by an super strong set of squad leaders. We are unique because we have 5 squad leaders and 5 teams, which meant that we always got to live with at least one squad leader. Squad leaders plan debriefs and Leadership Development Weekend for us. They spend their time discipling us and helping us to know ourselves better. They help lead our travel days and offer advice at 3 am when our brains aren’t able to make decisions about which bus will get us to our next destination.
So meet my squad leaders!!
Sara MacIntosh
Also knows as Sara Mac, Smac, or Smac Daddy. Sara is currently living with my team: MIX’d. She is one of the most courageous people that I know. She goes after every situation full force. She knows who she is and she isn’t afraid to let other people know it either. She lives every day to the fullest. She makes everything that she does an adventure. She walks in extremely raw vulnerability and allows others to walk in the same rawness. She’s helped tons of people grow in self awareness because of her extensive knowledge of personality tests. She has a heart that’s genuinely on fire for reaching other people and letting them know about this Father that’s wrecked her heart. She intimately knows the Father’s heart and she will willingly share it with everyone she meets. She can either be found dangling benders on the ice rink or playing Reckless Love on repeat on her guitar.
Mason Alpert
Mason has been a huge factor in the transformation that we’ve seen in the men of our squad. He’s lead by example and shown what it looks like to be a real man of the Lord. He creates a vulnerable space and allows people to be okay with the feelings that they’re feeling. He carries vast amounts of wisdom on many different topics. He isn’t afraid to pour out to anyone. He walks in confidence knowing that the Lord is good and that He’s the only one that brings sustainability. He seeks the Lord with a reverence that I’ve never seen before. He works diligently at whatever he’s been called to do. He’s been a great example of what a real man of the Lord looks like and He’s helped to restore the image of a healthy relationship for many people. Mason can be found playing legos, journaling about financial business models, or completely destroying his opponents in board games.
Emily Alpert
Emily has shown all of us what it looks like to walk in quiet confidence. She shows us daily what it looks like to lead from behind. She makes people want know Jesus just by the way that she carries herself. She knows what she’s worth and she walks in that boldness. She has tons of knowledge to give away and she gives it freely. Whether she’s teaching on how to do inner healings, how to create a dream inventory, or how to watercolor better, she’s always willing to pour out. She’s been the second half in the process of restoring the idea of healthy relationships. It’s been a huge blessing to watch her walk in love and allow herself to be loved by others. Emily can be found in a coffee shop with tea in her cup and a paintbrush in her hand.
Amie Beth Beadling
Amie Beth wasn’t planning on squad leading, but boy, oh boy, am I glad that she’s with us. The Lord grabbed hold of her heart at our training camp and she been with us ever since. I learned what it looks like to truly love and value myself by watching Amie Beth do life. She genuinely knows her place as a daughter of the true King. She walks in a boldness that makes people want to follow her. She lives her life as the beloved. She always offers support and encouragement, but she isn’t afraid to tell it to you straight. She’s constantly empowering people by encouraging them in knowing the fullness of who they are. She sees people really well and will compliment people on things that feel completely unseen. She is a vast chasm of knowledge. The light of the Lord radiates out of her. Discipling people comes so naturally for her because it’s a complete overflow of the love that the Lord has shown her. Amie Beth can be found playing jungle speed or having her gorgeous hair brushed.
Kirsten Kuhn
Kirsten Kuhn is a bold, fun, fearless, leader. She loves and sees people incredibly well. She is one of the most intentional people that I know. She wants to know the depths and the surface level things of every person. She lives life in the little moments. She chooses to find the joy in every moment that might seem insignificant to others. She knows how to push people and she knows when to hold back. She’s always willing to go to the deep places, even if they look dark and scary. She walks in incredible amounts of freedom. She naturally inspires people to walk in the fullness that the Lord has made them to be. She is incredibly disciplined. She listens to the Lord and follows His call in every situation. She’s taught me how to seek people out and love people well. She knows how to balance being in leadership and being friends with people. I got to live with Kirsten for 6 months and I spent 1 of those months in a house with just the 2 of us. It was a huge blessing and I genuinely loved getting to know the fullness of this silly, ridiculous, loving, confident, intentional friend. She’s been a great leader, roommate, and friend. Kirsten can be found jamming out to Justin Bieber and rockin a sick stank face.
Although this doesn’t give the fullness of who these people are, I hope you got a very small glimpse into my life on the Race. I genuinely hope that you’ll hear me bragging on these people all the time when I come home.
And to the squad leaders: thank you. Thanks for everything you’ve done. I really can’t put into words what it means that you took the time out of your lives to just press into our lives. That you chose into the process of watching a bunch of angsty teenagers become people that know how much they’re loved be the Lord. For real, thank you. We love you.
