The Jayvon that people know now and the Jayvon there was not even a year ago; heck, not even three months ago, are two totally different people. I was selfish, prideful, self-consumed (even when I made it look humble), but it all rooted from being insecure. I was always told I’m not smart enough to do that, I’m not as athletic as some people to do that, my dreams were too big, my ambitions were too much and after a while I started to believe it myself. Up until almost a year ago I didn’t know who I was, I didn’t know the real Jayvon. My identity was in football, in track, in the worlds view of “masculinity”, in girls, in parties, in trying to be something that at heart I knew I wasn’t and I knew it.
I started going to a church called Desperation and I was just thinking what in the holy heavens is this? Cool lights, amazing worship band, pastor in skinny jeans, leaders with tattoos, kids (literally like 8-12 year olds) dancing around and having fun… I’d never seen or experienced that before. Who knew that God was fun? Who knew that there were more people that wanted the same thing I wanted, who knew their purpose, who had fun being Christ-like… people who had something I didn’t. I was broken, I was weak, and my current pastor and honestly best friend saw me through the eyes of Jesus and took me under his wing like a brother. That was March and man did it go downhill from there. Broken friendships, a burned down house, still around the partying scene here and there, a relationship on the rocks without Jesus in the center; and yet, something was different. I felt conviction in partying not condemnation, I felt freedom in lost friendships, I felt love instead of anger through losing everything in a fire, I felt God moving in my relationship, for the first time in my life… I actually FELT God.
I planned on going to Auburn University in the fall and majoring in architecture while hopefully playing football but nope. As soon as I got accepted, filled out my FAFSA, and paid for my room; a few months later he was like “Nope, I don’t want this for you. You’re following you’re plans, not mine”. I was called into ministry to be a pastor and although I was excited about Auburn I gave it up in a heartbeat to go into ministry at Desperation College in hopes to be a campus pastor one day. Sounds amazing right? #GodStories. I planned everything out, planned on getting an apartment, found out about this thing called the World Race program run by the Adventures in Missions Organization, and planned out my life. “Go get my ministry degree in two years, take a year to fundraise, the go on the trip at 21”. Sounded like a plan. Man, oh man, was I wrong. The problem with that whole deal was, it was still Jayvon’s plans. I said I was working around His schedule but really I made it nothing but my own.
While doing more research about this awesome mission trip I’d be going on for an entire year I slipped across another program they offered called “The World Race: Gap Year”. Nearly the same price, same amount of people, same countries, but 9 months instead of 11. The only perk was, “Gap Year” meant that it was for 18-22 year olds, which meant I could pack up and leave right now. Dumb right? Same price, places, and benefits, with less experience, people and cultures. Once again, it wasn’t about me though.
I grew up my whole life sleeping under church pews and growing up in my grandparents church every time the doors opened. I’ve always grown up in religion, I’ve always grown up knowing about Jesus but not knowing a relationship with Him. What I didn’t know and what I did always wonder however was “I wonder what would happen to those who never even knew or heard of the name Jesus Christ and where they would end up. What about that one kid in a remote part of Haiti that grows up in voodoo or witchcraft and never knows anything else?” Like man it’s not their fault they don’t know… it’s not their fault they were never taught… so should they actually be punished for it? Well that’s dang sure not my decision so I did some reading and looked it up. Funny how the Lord brought this thought back so heavy on my heart right before I started looking into Gap Year. Everything, every single thing I came across, came back to us. It says that God will always make a way to share the gospel, but everyone has a choice. Go look at Acts, go look at Matthew, go look anywhere and it’s our job! It’s what we’re here for! It’s so amazing to me that some of the very last words Jesus said before ascending into heaven was about people! We are literally meant to be the hands and feet of Jesus spreading the word through ALL nations, no matter how remote. After that I couldn’t deny it… I’m all in. These definitely aren’t my plans anymore; I’m not directing this ship.
Being the hands and feet of Jesus look very different for different people. Some people love talking to people and are the best communicators, if that’s you then help me by spreading my story and needs. Some people are able to give donations and be either one time or monthly donors, raising 15,000 dollars, I will need someone like you. Some people are absolutely AMAZING at just talking to their father and praying like no other, if that’s you then please, I’ll need those more than anything. As for me, I’m a very influential person who loves relationships and has a heart for loving people… help me get there. Whatever way that may look like for you.
Regardless, helping me you’ll be just a finger helping me be the hands and feet of Jesus. Without the fingers, there are no hands and feet. Without the hands and feet, there is no body. You can make a difference. I’m so excited to see what God has planned for us on this journey together and can’t wait to experience it with you! My name is Jayvon Oliver, I’m a World Racer, and this is my story.
