Today was our last day of ministry. World Race America is coming to an end. It is filled with many emotions. I wondered how I would feel in this moment. Would I be sad of leaving my community, frustrated that I haven’t done enough, grateful to be back at home with loved ones, or confused on what I am doing next. Most of these feelings are valid, but overall, I just feel very grateful. Amongst a pandemic that will be remembered forever, I get to say I was doing the Lord’s work. I got to minister to people, really get to know them, provide food for the hungry, love on the abandoned, cry with the broken hearted, suffer with the oppressed, laugh with the joyful spirited, and reflect Jesus in more places this year than many people will travel to in a lifetime. I wanted to write this blog as reflection for myself, but to inform everyone on what our journey has looked like.
We went to training at the end of July this year in Georgia and took off for our road trip July 31st. We have stopped at many places along the way, but have done specific ministry (because ya know ministry is life/life is ministry so technically doing ministry everywhere, everyday, every hour hehehe) in Indiana, Kentucky, Idaho, Vegas, California, and Colorado. Below is what my team did in each state::
Kentucky/Indiana: homeless ministry
Idaho: food drives, intercession for the nation, family dynamics, the church
Vegas: homeless ministry, evangelism, evangelism, and some more evangelism
California: family ministry, pouring into others we met
Colorado: Denver Dream Center- they meet immediate needs of people, but my favorite thing that is very notable is working with men transitioning from prison to life outside of prison
It seems like we didn’t do enough. That there is so much to do still. It feels like I possibly could never and will never do enough to help the people in need and share the love of Christ, but I have learned some very important lessons along the way.
(1) My obedient yes to Christ will always look like me posturing myself with opened hands and being an empty vessel for Him to use me as.
(2) I am not the only member of the body of Christ, I have brothers and sisters to help me in our purpose to spread the gospel (the hope of the kingdom) and the good news.
(3) Church is not a building with four walls, it’s the unity between believers with the same Holy Spirit dwelling inside of them.
(4) Ministry can only be an overflow of what you’re allowing the Lord to fill you up with.
(5) Love people and when that’s not enough love them some more and when that’s not enough KEEP ON LOVING THEM.
(6) Jesus died on the cross for my sins. mine. MINE. and He loves me so specifically, uniquely, and individually that my heart explodes.
(7) Christ is enough. Christ is enough. Also, Christ is enough.
(8) Healing and the act of forgiveness are never ending and always are worth the work.
(9) Jesus is King of this nation.
(10) Relationship with Jesus looks like you making Him Savior of your life.
Most importantly, I have learned the three core needs of people: to be known, to be seen, and to be loved. I can tell you a multitude of stories where people rejected my prayers, turned down bibles, but the minute I sat down on the sidewalk they are sleeping on and held their hand, looked into the eyes and connected with someone strung out on drugs, hold a baby who doesn’t feel nurtured by their mother at home, told someone who looks at themselves as a monster because they murdered someone that I see them as a giant teddy bear and the fruit of their relationship with Christ, walls immediately break down. People are receptive to Jesus. People are receptive when they feel they have been heard, acknowledged, and accepted. Sharing Jesus’ love really isn’t that hard. We just have to reflect His character, friends.
If you have any questions about anything I have been doing, need encouragement in what you’re doing, or just need a prayer, never hesitate to reach out. There is no judgement, condemnation, or shame coming out of these ears that hear you, eyes that see you, and heart that loves you almost as much as Jesus does!
Contact: 270-350-7622 or [email protected]
