We left Michigan and headed to Buffalo, New York. We arrived and worked with Kenmore Alliance Church. Kenmore Alliance Church is a beautiful church and was a great blessing in my life. Laura was our host and she showed us around the church. We were introduced to pastors, members and got to be part of the church. We got connected with 716 Ministry. We worked on flipping houses and did VBS (Kids ministry). It was incredible experience seeing different ministries. The heart of World Race America is to get a taste of different ministries and how they operate. I’m writing this a couple weeks after the end of World Race America and I can see so many beautiful ways this program can reach and activate disciples to see different ministries, teachings, and dive deep into relationship with Jesus. My time in Buffalo I spent pondering free will, predestination, rapture, non rapture, theological depths, apologetics, denominations. I took a deep dive into what do I believe and learning from the source of truth (Jesus). I came back to America and I never went to church being a believer before so this is all new for me. I learned about what it truly means to be dependent on the Father. In the gospels you see Jesus did and nothing only what the Father was doing. He had no problem telling people that he and the Father and one. He needed God to be his strength and was dependent on him. When we are weak he is our strength. John Eldridge said it best in his book ‘Wild at Heart’. When we go out and we wait till we are completely lost then we look for directions. That is how I look at my life. I was completely lost in life and need directions. I need God to be my strength because I am know apart from him I can do nothing. I love theology and love talking about it. When people ask me what denomination I am I say “I follow Jesus.” There are no denominations in heaven. If you judge you yourself are condemned, you can judge if there are sheep in the flock. As far as predestination, free will, rapture, and all that goes go with what the Spirit is telling you. The real question is “Have you been born again?” The main message is Christ and Christ Crucified. Jesus plus nothing. Being the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus. Letting him work through you. God was teaching me so much in Buffalo. We worked in outreach at the church, we saw 7 people come to Christ in one night, food outreach, donations, and youth groups. I met a good friend on mine today, Daniel. An incredible man that I love, and a big encouragement to me. Me and him do bible studies and fellowship today. My favorite part of believing in Jesus is the family aspect. We have the same spirit and that connects us, that is incredible! Believers all over the WORLD! It is beautiful. All connected through the Cross! New York was a half way point of World Race America. We saw Niagara Falls, spent a day in Rochester, and saw the city of Buffalo. We had a connection to the Church, Zac and Jannette come prophesy over us as a group. I got prophesied that God was going to bless me in deep theology going in on topics and subjects of the faith. It sparked something new in me, and I love to growing in Prophecy. We got to experience the culture of Buffalo by getting some incredible food. We get to experience the people in places and see many different experiences of life. I really got into running and there is so many interests that I have in life. I would love to learn piano, languages, and God is really working in experiencing life. Spending time with him makes me get to know myself better. He talked to me about my future dreams and visions in Buffalo. I was listening to a Salt Church podcast on the second Story of a building we were renovating with 716 Ministry. That morning I asked Lauren in the van on the way to ministry “If you could do anything in life next year what would it be?” I thought about what I would do. I love the heart of Salt Church in disciples making disciples, that is the call on every Christians life. While listening to the podcast I heard clear and felt a peace come over me to go to California! He started giving me vision of training Crossfit and MMA there. The message of Salt Church is to plant micro churches. Its not about the building its about the people. It does back to the simplicity of the Acts Church. It’s not saying that mega church is bad, its about building the kingdom through discipleship. We should have discipleship that is close. “Your only as strong as your weakest brother.” God told me to wait till World Race America was done to plan for the next season of life. I waited and got was speaking with pastors at Salt Church, and I am blessed to say I will be going to Costa Mesa next year for four months from March to the end of June. I am more than exited for what God has next!
We took off for Minneapolis, Minnesota! This is right around the time of George Floyd. Traveling around America in 2020 was an adventure. God is good! Always.
Jacob
