So this is a bit different than the two other blog posts that I have posted about my World Race teams. Typically, I would post a picture of us as a group and then individual pictures of each person. I would probably also link my teammate’s blogs so you could follow them. And that would be the end of the blog.
However, as a Squad Leader for Gap Year, it’s going to be a little bit different. Same concept though (in World Race culture, we call this “same, same, but different.”). I am part of a Leadership Team and then two teams of Racers. So welcome to the longest “Meet the Team” blog I have ever written!
First up, my Leadership Team!
My co-leaders (aka the other two squad leaders) are Bernadette “Bern” Beacham and Katelyn “Katy” Webb. These three of us will stay with Gap E all nine months. Our main job is to help set a culture of Biblical truth, Holy Spirit empowerment, Adventures Core Values, and a church without walls, while maintaining the finances and running point on any injuries that may occur!
Katy, Bern, and Regan
There are also six Alumni Team Leaders that are leading the six teams that make up Gap E! They all have done Gap Year previously and have felt the Lord call them back to lead a team for 3 months. They will help “raise up” and train a new team leader for their team before they head back home or wherever the Lord calls them next!
Back: Justin, Maggie, Maddie; Front: Caroline, Kate, Lauren
Kate Rolffs – Team Abandon
Lauren Kobe – Team Barefeet
Justin Seibert – Team Brosaic
Maggie O’Bryan – Team CAYA [Come As You Are]
Caroline Roser – Team Ecclesia
Maddie Chase – Team Yashab
And then last but not least, we have our fearless leader, our Squad Mentor! Her name is Jodi Owens, and she is easily one of the greatest humans on the planet! She has done and continues to do so much for Gap E!
Jodi Owens
HERE WE ARE, GAP E LEADERSHIP TEAM! I get to laugh a lot with them and they constantly point me back to Jesus. It has been so cool to see the Body of Christ come together with this group because we are all so different and all have different gifts. We are pretty awesome if I do say so myself!
Next up, Team Barefeet!
In Gap Year, each Alumni Squad Leader is over one to three teams. I have two that I help intimately disciple. This team is lead by the one and only Lauren! This group of seven women are incredible. They are determined to make an impact, focused on what the Lord says about them, and have the ability to have fun, but also go deep. They chose the name “Barefeet” because they wanted the atmosphere and culture of their team to be safe, comfortable, intentional, etc. After some discussion the topic of team name came up and Lauren randomly said “barefoot.” Initially, it was not perceived well, but soon realized that it was very fitting. In Scripture, wherever the presence of the Lord was, those nearby would take their shoes off because it was considered Holy Ground (Exodus 3:5, Joshua 5:15). They came to an agreement that they wanted to treat the ground they walk on, travel to, where they meet, where they go during the World Race as just that: Holy Ground.
Back Row: Lauren, Karly, Sidney, Abba; Front Row: Me, Gracie, Esther, Gabby
Finally, Team Ecclesia!
This team is lead by the lovely Caroline (Carol)! This is a team of six women that are so full of joy. They operate fully out of the love that Christ has for them and they freely give this to every person they come into contact with! These girls do not shy away from the hard questions and fully take on the identity that the Lord has bestowed upon them. Their team name, Ecclesia, means “the called out ones.” They have chosen to live as the one that the Lord has specifically called to walk this journey and they are choosing to do it together. They inspire me to notice the small things that God gives to us, like flowers and Nutty Buddys!
Back Row: Katie, Ellie, Caroline, Taylor; Front Row: Me, Sierra, Elina
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