I’ve never been into the whole “leading” scene. When there is an opportunity to get a leadership title, I usually run the other way. For years I have been using excuses like, “Well, I’m sure there are lots of people who actually want to lead so I don’t want to take that away from them” and “There are so many people in this group who are more qualified”. While those excuses may have been true, an excuse is an excuse. I was using logical statements to mask my own insecurities I had about leading.
However like many areas of my life, God pushed me to grow in this area on the World Race…twice. At the end of month four, I was raised up to co-lead a project Adventures in Missions is doing called “Unsung Heroes”. Then at the end of my eighth month I heard the dreaded two words…team leader.
I was devastated and I wanted to turn down the offer. But then one morning when I was sitting on a dock overlooking the Nile River, God asked me a very humbling question, “Do you think I am asking you to do this yourself?”
I was ready to take on this leadership role on my own strength. My pride and insecurities were getting in the way of what He was trying to do. Typical, right? I think we have all been there.
A few of my squadmates and teammates had been telling me all last year that I was going to be a Squad Leader this July. I laughed at the idea every time (because if I didn’t laugh, I probably would have puked). I had put up a fight to TEAM lead for three months, what makes you think I would WILLINGLY sign up to SQUAD lead?
Well, I have always said that God has an ironic sense of humor. This July 3rd, I will be flying out with D squad as one of their three squad leaders.
But here’s how I know I am doing what I am supposed to be doing: I don’t feel like I’m going to puke! I am so excited for this opportunity. God has changed my heart about leading because I understand what He wants it to look like. I have a chance to love fifty people who are abandoning their lives to do God’s work. I get to walk with them through their victories, and their defeats. I get to celebrate with them, and cry with them.
I am STOKED to be a part of this process and I can’t see what God has in store for these five months I am on the field with them.
I need to raise $5,500 to cover my travel expenses. Will you consider partnering with me for this journey? If you would like to donate, you can make checks payable to Adventures in Missions, with Erin Hogan in the memo line. Checks can be sent to:
Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
You can also donate online by clicking “Support Me” on the left hand side of my blog. All donations are tax-deductible and go straight through Adventures in Missions.
Please email ([email protected]) or call (240-409-0275) me for more details. I am excited to partner in this journey with you.
