Right now, I should be finishing up my ministry in Honduras and getting ready to go to El Salvador. That was my plan for the World Race. But God’s plan was far greater than I could have imagined. Tonight was the last night of a leadership class that I have been in for the last three months. This class was led by Pastor John. When I signed up to take this class I was interested in learning how to be a better leader, especially since I was fixing to go on the World Race, but I was excited about getting to know John more and to soak up as much as I could from him. Well God blew me away with this class. It was an amazing chance to get to know this man that I look up to and want to be like one day. BUT it was an even greater opportunity to get to know how to be a better Godly leader in all aspects of my life, not just in leadership roles within the church.
These last three months have been an immense season of growth for me. I learned a lot about intentionally. This is the first time I can recall where I was personally and intentionally poured into by a lead pastor like John. He has taken time outside of the class to meet with me and to just talk and be a friend. He has been intentional with making sure I know how much I am loved by him and the rest of the staff and the potential he sees in my life. I also learned that I need to be intentional in my life with others and in my walk with God. Intentionally is something that I struggle with, but I know that leaving for 11 months it is something I will need grow in. I will have to be intentional to keep up with friends and family. I have also learned about being intentional with the students in my small group at youth. I must be open and real about who I am and my story so that they can see the mountains that God has moved in my life and know that it is possible in their life. I also must be intentional about staying plugged into the word of God. This is something that I honestly struggle with. I have a hard time each day finding time to read the Bible for myself. I find other ways to keep plugged into God but I know I need to be intentional about seeking His word for myself.
My word for 2018 was stretch. I knew that God had great plans to stretch my faith and who I am as a person. I was not expecting the many ways that it happened but am extremely grateful for the growth I have experience this year. Because of this class and John my word for 2019 will most likely be intentional. Be intentional with others like John has been with me and be intentional with God like he has shown me how to be. These three months have forever changed my life and who I am as a leader. If this class was the only reason why I deferred to the Unscripted rout in January (which it wasn’t) then it was totally worth it. I know that God has great plans for my life in 2019 and I am going to be intentional to look for His blessings every day on the World Race.
Thinking back to everything I learned through this leadership class I can honestly say the greatest thing that I gained from this class was not from any of the lessons. It was a friend. When the class started John was just my pastor, who I looked up to and admired. He is an amazing man of God and I hoped to be like him. Through this class I have had the blessing to get to know who he truly is and how much cooler he was then I originally thought. I am excited to get to know him even more and thankful for all that he has done for me so far.
I am sad that tonight was the last night of leadership class but I know that I will continue to learn and grow from Quest leadership, other leaders that were in the class, and from getting closer to God. This class brought to life one of my favorite verses, Ephesians 3:20 “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.”
