“Jesus is the Way, and his light is reflected in myriad ways by different personalities. He incarnates himself in new and surprising ways in each one of us. Each of us is called to be unique and singular manifestation of Christ’s truth and love, not a carbon copy of someone else. We need not attempt to cast people into a certain mold, but rather be ready to recognize the rich variety of persons and personalities who blend together to make up the church.” Brennan Manning The Signature of Jesus
In my job here with Adventures In Missions, I talk with a wide variety of people. Each unique, each seeking and following the calling God has placed on their lives. Many are new believers, many are stagnate in the faith, many are searching for more, and many are passionate about the Great Commission. There is common threaded question that I get asked frequently, “What are you guys looking for?” and “What is the interview process like?”
The same response is woven back into both of these questions- transparency. We want people to be honest about where they are in the walk with the Lord. We want to take YOU on a missions trip, not a version of you that you think we are looking for. We are all crafted and molded for a purpose. Where you are in your walk with the Lord will minister to a certain group of people more than someone else’s walk will.
There are some people who walk this earth and know that they are part of God’s plan for justice. Then there are those, who were like me, we know that God exists, that he is all powerful, but I am not unique enough to make a difference. I don’t have a good testimony.
Now I laugh at that. Me saying that I don’t have an good enough testimony to talk to people about the love of Jesus, completely castrates the work and the power of the Lord. If the love of the Lord has touched your life and you know his saving grace, then you have a story that people want and need to hear.
Everyday passionate people from the ages of 18-35 come across my path. I get to speak with them. At least 5 times a day I walk through the support raising process with these passionate believers. I encourage them along the way and tell them repeatedly, if God called you, he will provide.
Today, that statement resonated with me. I am not doing what I am encouraging those I am talking with to do. I am not be proactive in my own support raising.
My goal is to raise $2500 in two weeks. Whether that is 100 people giving $25, or 25 people giving $100, I don’t know what it looks like. Maybe it is $1 from one person and $500 from another. All I know is that God has called me to this and I know that he will provide. You can click here to donate.
There has been a lot happening at AIM over the past few weeks. Here is a little taste of what you are sowing into: (information from of Seth Barnes)
Real Life: Last Friday night, another group of 130 college students arrived to go to 10 different locations around the world (Nicaragua, Peru, Bolivia, Israel, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, India, etc.) for 4-8 weeks. Immediately upon their arrival, we announced that we would be staying downtown in Atlanta for that night. After settling in, the teams were sent out about 9:00pm to do an evening of night ministry. The Africa Expedition team began a conversation with a man on the streets. In the course of the conversation, the man rededicates his life to Christ and wants to be baptized! What does the team do? Goes into a local bar and asks for a cup of tap water…and baptizes him on the street!
World Race: May 22-30 we had 131 World Race participants come to Georgia to prepare for their adventure around the world. Due to the size of the group, we moved off site to a campground in north Georgia called Cherokee Retreat Center. The new venue was an excellent spot right on the lake. We introduced Jonathan David Helser, a worship artist out of North Carolina who absolutely blew us away in facilitating worship.
Also, I am looking for monthly supporters, prayer partners, and encouragers along this journey. Please stay updated by clicking the update alertlink here, so you can see how you are continuing to sow into the Kingdom of God through supporting me as a missionary with Adventures in Missions.
Remember, each of us has a unique offering to bring before the Lord. Seek after him. If you don’t know what your offering is, just ask. Our Savior is willing to give. We are equiping and training this generation to be world changers. Don’t you want to be a part of that?? 😉
