I am changing routes. I will now be going on Route 4 rather than Route 3. This means Training Camp will be July 15th-25th rather than July 9th-19th. It also means a new Route so far it is Guatemala, Nicaragua, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand/Burma India, Nepal, Botswana, Swaziland. I know that it is only 9 countries but there is a reason for it, they are still looking for the final 2 countries where the ministry is ok with cameras . Gray Media will be filming a Documentary/TV show about the race. This was a choice that did not come easily but God kept on pushing me towards it and I said “ok God I will change”. This meant that I would need to change Airplane tickets but thankfully it was only $240 rather than $500 I was expecting. I will still leave in September at the same time, just different people, different route, Same goals.
This is the post form the World Race Route 4 Facebook page about it. It explains about why they are doing this now and a bit more about the project.
“I want to introduce myself…I am Maureen Gray, co-founder of Gray Media, and director of the proposed World Race Documentary/TV show.
I have no doubt that a number of you have concerns, or at the very least,questions regarding the motive behind this project and its potential implications. If this were my journey, I would too be wondering, so here goes our vision, motive, heart and hope…
My husband and I are not slick film makers looking for a sensationalized adventure story to tell. We have been in ministry for over 30 years as pastors, youth leaders, evangelists, ministry consultants and, for the last decade, as a faith-based media placement company. We work with ministries all over the world,and place programming in over 200 countries. We also work with many of the faith films—both independent and studio. We recently produced a documentary primarily shot in Ecuador on the power dreams have in propelling us into our future. Though a very Christ-centered film, it won awards within mainstream festivals. It was through this film that we began to connect with the World Race and the 7 year old dream to shoot a film or show.
Tim (my husband) and I so believe in the power of media to authentically present the Person of Jesus to the masses.
We desire for this project to show young people the power of Jesus as expressed through the race.
We personally saw our two daughters’ lives impacted by their time on the World Race and the subsequent impact on all those who supported them, followed their blogs etc. They saw the world’s need and they saw that they could be a part of meeting that need…it was and it continues to be, a cause for hope.
We truly believe if people begin to see the impact their service, love, and heart for
God’s Kingdom has in even the smallest of acts, that they will respond.
This film is NOT about exposing, exploiting, sensationalizing or scripting the World Race for “good tv”, it is about shining the light of Jesus into the darkest of places, bringing peace (in the person of Jesus) into chaos, hope to injustice and love into despair.
We are compelled in our ministry to be a part of showing what being the hands and feet of Jesus truly look like. We are tired of how, so often, Christians and ministries are portrayed as unstable, unloving, self-centered, self-righteous, and exclusive within the mainstream media. We feel called to take part in changing people’s narrow view of what a follower of Jesus looks like.
We desire to help give a voice to the ones whose Lord is God.
As far a “better stories” go…The stories are great everywhere the race goes. There is no superior/inferior route. We are looking for the partners who are willing to do the hard work to help us communicate authentically the stories of the people they serve. We need these kind of partners in order to go before us and help us understand the context so we can be more fully equipped to be respectful and holistic in what we show.
Our daughters were impacted because they found a safe place within their squads to be known and to grow. We know and value how important that is.
We will not break that trust. That is not God’s heart and we will always be mindful of the sacredness of trust in this journey.
When AIM attempted this dream seven years ago and couldn’t get it right, they shut it down. Not only are we (Gray Media) committed to protecting you, as racers, the ministries and not exploiting the work of the Gospel for media’s sake, but AIM at its core has the integrity of the race, your journey and fulfilling God’s call at the center of all of our communications.
We want to share what God is doing in the earth but not without safety, trust and integrity.
We will be joining a squad 6 times throughout the race. We understand that cameras can interrupt everything. We want to mitigate the intrusion as much as possible to keep the authenticity of the race and ministry. To that end, we will be talking continually with the squad about what works and what doesn’t work.
We know from experience that authenticity is essential as God does His work in the squad. If we begin to interrupt or disturb the flow of what He is doing, we will make adjustments as we seek and receive feedback.
NEED FOR FAITH
For this to become a reality, we need God to show up in big ways. We will need a series of miracles. We believe that He is in this and as a result, we are stepping out in faith.
This is a partnership between us as storytelling filmmakers, the World Race and you…all three must come together in faith for this to come to pass.
The squad and racers who appear on camera will have to buy-in.
We will have to figure out how not to get in the way as we film or alter
the integrity of what is happening.
We will have to encounter and capture the stories and be sensitive and
flexible with God’s moving.
We need to raise lots of money to do this with excellence
We need to produce a film that is authentic and stirring rather
than informative and voyeuristic.
We need to find the right avenues of distribution so that peoples
lives can be changed.
All the partners and stakeholders in this project will need to honor
one another, hear one another, and come into unity to see God
move.
I hope this helps!
I’m believing for this project to be a way to lift Jesus high so all may be drawn to Him
Please commit this to prayer before you make any changes
Lord Bless all of you”
If you have further questions let me know and i will do my best to answer them
