The past seven months have been by far the most stretching, incredible months I have experienced. Yet, these months and experiences would be void without my family (Team 180) and the love between us to fill them. I believe the number one lesson I have learned on this race is how to love; how to love with intention, how to love selflessly, how to love through Christ. It is through trial and error, victory and triumph, rejoicing and mourning, fighting with and for one another that we have learned the depth of His love for us and how to pour that out on one another. We have rebuked, encouraged, challenged, exhorted, and refined one another all in the name of love and it is by far the best picture of the church I have seen in my life. We would eat together, pray together, worship together, do ministry together. We played cards, watched movies, cooked together, laughed until we cried, cried until we laughed, supported one another in every need, refused to let one fall into sin, worked through our past, present, and future, and walked through fire and some of the hardest things we have ever faced…. Together.
As our larger family, the full squad of 42 of us, came together at debrief we faced another challenge God had in store for us. Our squad leaders informed us that God had pressed upon their hearts a change in teams for the remaining part of the race. From a place of love, they desired to see us apply what we had learned with others and stir one another on to finish the year with all zeal and passion; for one another, our families/teams, and the ones we would minister to. It was nothing short of a blow to the heart, but I knew it was right, and I knew it was good.
We wept with our teams over memories of the past seven months, realizing that these were the people we were closest with in our lives now. These are the people that knew the new creation, that some back home have not met yet, and those in the future have yet to meet. The next day they announced our new teams.
It was incredible to see God’s handpicked teams. They were each so perfectly designed, and you could see clearly the banner over each one! I cried watching each one of my siblings join their new teams, some as new members, some as new leaders, and it was something I have never felt before. I was so proud of them, and I was so excited for their new teams knowing each would be a blessing to their new team and encourage them. I just wanted to share all the Lord had to offer through them – instead of keeping them to myself.
So, the five of us make up Team Judah. We have four months together to sow the Spirit! (Right, Mike!) Meet my wonderful new family:
Brad Baldwin
Brad is from Georgia. He is married to the lovely Erika. He left a completely comfortable life working in the broadcasting industry to abandon ALL to the cause of Christ. He is a powerhouse in the Spirit and has an incredible gift with people, pushing them into their fullness, and teaching, among many, many other things which I am sure to learn on the way. He has great sarcastic humor (which I enjoy), loves “Captain Crunch” Cereal, and is the best Frisbee player on our team!
Erika Baldwin
Erika is originally from California and came out of the music and modeling industry. She moved to Georgia by a miracle of God and met her husband, Brad, and devoted her life to Christ all in one swoop! She is an amazing worship leader. She has excellence and elegance on her life. She is also my only running competitor for love of chocolate on my team!
Jamie Neumann
Jamie is from Wisconsin, and it shows in her love of cheese. She is awesome for many reasons: she is from the Midwest, her love language is physical touch, and she has amazing confidence, diligence, and excellence in everything she touches. She also is very gifted in photography, so you should check out her pictures when you can!
Jordan McGuffin
Jordan is from Oklahoma. She has a spirit of worship all over her! She has a huge heart for working against human trafficking and plans on attending G42, our connecting leadership school in Spain through Adventures in Missions. She is warm, and smiley, and kicks some ‘you know what’ on the drums. (Sorry if that offends you religious folk : ) ha-ha )
Feel free to check out their blogs and read along from their perspective! Please, keep us in your prayers!
