Kylie and I have decided to be World Race squad leaders in September 2015.
You all have been so incredible in supporting me on my world race journey. This is the next chapter. And we are excited to share it with you.
In September, forty or so young adults will embark on an uncertain journey. Unsatisfied with conventional life, they will have signed up for a grand adventure to see the world, be Jesus to the suffering, and explore the depths of community with other like-minded wanderers.
As alumni squad leaders, Kylie and I will help make decisions about the teams the racers are placed in and the ministries each team will partner with each month. We will also visit the teams and try to nurture, empower, and encourage the racers as they live out this incredible journey. We will lead the squad for the first five months of their Race, after which we will leave the squad, having empowered and equipped them to finish the second half of their Race without us.
Basically, we will serve as pastors and administrative leaders on the mission field for this new batch of world racers. We will be going to completely different countries this time around. But this time around, our primary ministry is not to the race but to the racers. Our service is not as much to the orphans and widows and prostitutes, but to those who are serving the orphans and widows and prostitutes. Our first race was about fishing. This one will be about making fishers of men. We don’t know much, but we have been through this process before. And we have been called to help disciple this new batch of young adults.
On N squad, what I learned and experienced as a team member and a squad member is by far my biggest takeaway from my initial race. When I think of my time on the field, I think first of the people I did it with, even more than the incredible ministries, the beautiful countries, the unique experiences. I think the best place to find God is the intersection between who I truly am and who we are together. Maturity as a disciple is equal parts discovering my voice and acknowledging the validity of different voices. Leaving home and conventional wisdom to serve God throughout the world is very difficult. Living in intense community is not always flattering, often challenging. Such difficulties expose wounds so that they can be tended, shatter barriers so that we can walk in freedom, and ignite in us a passion for the meaningful essence of life.
I want to squad lead because I want to see more of the Kingdom of God in this world. The foundation of such a change is the unity and encouragement of disciples. Until we understand who we are and buy into our identity in Christ, both individually and communally, the injustices of the world will continue to stand. We cannot address the challenges until we address ourselves. There is an incredibly sad chasm in the American church between thriving youth ministries and ministry built around families. Young adults, single or married without children, are slipping through the fingers of the American church. The World Race is not a permanent solution to this problem, but it is an awesome invitation into what community in The Body of Christ could be. And it is the place we feel called to for such a time as this.
Please pray for us as we serve this new squad. We know that God has amazing things in store for us during this season. New teachings and revelations and depth of intimacy await us. This new squad will show us so much about who Jesus is and we will walk alongside these new racers as they acknowledge and confront past hurts and wounds, step into the fullness of their gifts and callings, learning how to serve and worship more freely, and discover the life that is truly life.
