Hi my name is Jonathan!
-My second cousin is actress Jennifer Garner.
-I have swam with Great White sharks.
-I raise ant farms.
-My mom use to be a professional badminton player.
-I have a pet aardvark.
-I broke my leg in a luge accident 3 years ago.
-I was in the Movie “Friday Night Lights.”
Okay, so now that I have your attention, none of those things are true. Here are some things that are:
-I am on route 3 and traveling to:
China El Salvador Uganda
The Philippines Guatemala Albania India Kenya
Honduras Romania Tanzania
-I have grown up and live in Dallas, Texas, “y'all” and for the past 2 years, I have traveled to over 27 states for my job.
-I am passionate about soccer and ministering through it.
-I have been to 24 of the 30 MLB stadiums.
-I have a bucket list of 100 things I have to do before I die.
-I strive in awkward situations.
-Photography frees me
-The Turtle Man makes me laugh.
-I have 2 of the most beautiful sisters in the world and an abnormally close family.
-I love life, but my life is nothing without my relationship with Jesus Christ.
In 2010, I spent four months in Kenya, Africa, traveling the country working with many people groups, tribes, ministries, and organizations. It was there that I was introduced to something that I found love in; it was there that I fond a movement that I though about constantly. It was there that I found my passion for soccer ministry.
Sometimes it's hard to fully grasp the full realization of what God is doing in people's lives through text. If you would like know who rules my life, I would love to tell you over coffee 🙂
SUPPORT LETTER:
Greetings to all,
Many of you know that in 2010, I spent four months in Kenya, Africa, traveling the country working with many different groups of people, tribes, ministries, and organizations. It was there that I was introduced to something that I fell in love with; it was there that I found a movement I thought about constantly. It was there that I found my passion for soccer ministry. As I looked back into my journal, I remembered a vivid description of when God revealed this to me:
“As we came over the hill, I heard laughing voices pouring out of the small school to the left of me. A few boys were chasing each other, kicking around what looked like a bag of trash on the dirt field in front. The breeze hit my long, unwashed hair as God was telling me, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” We were surrounded by the hills of the Kenya plains with the magnificent Mt. Suswa looking down right on us. The kids came running out like we were the finish line and tore into our arms. It was a feeling I had been waiting for; these souls needed love, and I was here to give them everything I had. The little girls clung to the arms of our American girls…hair, skin, face…if you had it and it was different, they were intrigued and wanted to touch it. I took off to the field and began running with the young Massai warriors. Green grass, a rolling ball, nets, cleats….it did not exist, but the passion for the game was so transparent. They played as if this was their way out. People say that smiling is the universal language; Soccer is my universal language. My skill was seen, and I was proud. His name was Honest and he was the Massai Warrior of the tribe. He had taken the goalie position and was talking trash in a playful manner. The kids lined up on either side as well as behind the two wooden posts that resembled a goal. I ran, I kicked and put the ball past the left side of him and laughed in fear that I was going to miss. The kids drew in close and wanted to know why a Mazungu (white person) knew how to play. I was blindsided by God’s power to give me this platform. Who was I? What was I about? Who did I follow? They wanted it. It was like I had finally realized the code to the lock that I had been spinning for so long. I was having an impact on these lost souls in a lost land. Let me take you home. I had found my passion.”
-Excerpt from Journal Kenya 2010
God has placed me into the working world for the past 2 years of my life. It has been a time where I have been able to experience a lot of traveling and independence. Most of all, it has helped me build a close relationship with this God I had always known but never pursued wholeheartedly. I knew that God was not done with me when He placed soccer ministry into my life, but it has been a time of clear patience. His timing has been so perfect and over the past season of life, God has called me to lay down my nets and follow His lead into the World.
I am so excited to tell you that in January of 2013, I will serve as a missionary through an organization, Adventures in Missions, in their World Race program. The World Race, not to be confused with The Amazing Race (the T.V. show), is an 11-month Christian mission trip to 11 different countries around the world. I will be traveling to China, The Philippines, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Albania, Romania, India, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. It is hard to explain in words how excited I am to take the Good News of the Gospel to the world, to be the light to the darkness, and ultimately fill these empty souls with an overflowing truth. We will be partnering with churches and ministries in the local communities to preach the Gospel, plant churches, work in orphanages, run soccer camps, minister to women and children who are trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the restoration and hope of the Father’s love to many tribes and nations.
I will use the gifts that the Lord has given me to lead soccer camps built around the game of soccer and the truth of scripture. While I was in Sarasota, Florida last month God brought a man by the name of Butch into my life. He started the “J316” ministry in 2009 with the purpose of reaching the world with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I was blessed to get to shadow him as he led soccer camps in the evenings. We ran skill sessions, shooting clinics, and even got out there and played in the games with the kids. The last night I was with him, he gave me the opportunity to speak to over 30 teenagers about the truths of the Gospel in my life. I spoke on the power soccer has had on my life, but also that it is only temporary compared to the relationship we have with Christ forever. As I left, I was gifted with a Gospel soccer ball shown above. This ball walks you through the Gospel through the different colors that are on the ball.
I can’t wait to see how the Lord will work through me using this amazing tool as I pick up the ball in the middle of the game and describe to them what the colors represent.
Another area that God is really teaching me in is to trust Him with is with finances. I need to raise $15,500 for my trip in January. This will cover training camp; travel to and from countries, food, and lodging for 11 months. When I first saw this amount, I almost passed out…but then I reminded myself that God is so much bigger than the money that I need to raise. What is $15,500 to Him? If you would like to partner with me in raising these funds, you can do so by visiting my blog site at: jonathangarner.theworldrace.org. Just click the “Support Me” link in the upper left side of the page and complete your donation as instructed. This is also a great way for you to stay updated with photos and blog posts that I will be sharing throughout my 11 month journey on the things that God is doing in the various countries. I am so grateful for this opportunity that God has given me, and I have every confidence that He will provide for my needs!
I want to thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope to have pointed to God’s mighty handwork in leading me down the chosen path He has for me. I believe that God is preparing me for something I can’t wait to see. I have been given a dream and a vision. God has put a desire on my heart to someday empower the spiritually and physically impoverished youth and families to live life fully through soccer ministry.
I hope you begin to pray and dream with me. I also hope, in these dreams and prayers, God will show you how you can get involved. That could be in many different ways. May we plant these seeds together? May we step out in faith and join God in the work He is already undoubtedly doing. I encourage you to email me and let me know what you think and what you are currently praying about in your life. Email me with your ideas, thoughts, and questions about where the Lord is leading you. PLEASE share this news with others who would be encouraged!
Blessings,
Jonathan Garner
[email protected]
(214) 923-2475
