Back in October, I found myself back at a World Race training camp for the first time since I began my World Race journey over two years ago. Training camp was being held for the January 2013 squads, and my boy Colby Gardner and I decided to join in on the fun. Spending those couple days watching about 200 people begin their life-changing journeys was a weird and awesome experience. It was definitely weird being on the outside looking in and knowing that these participants had no idea what they were getting themselves into (in a good way, of course). I found myself reliving memories of my training camp as I watched them eat an Asian breakfast of sardine soup (and praising God that I was on the other side and got to eat eggs and toast), and I found myself feeling grateful that I didn’t have a training camp memory of half of my group’s luggage getting “lost by the airlines in Africa.” (Oh training camp staff. Those clever people are constantly thinking up new ideas.)
And then of course, there were the times of training camp worship. What a blessing it was to be able to relive those memories! There’s something unexplainably special about worshipping with fellow children of God who are just ridiculously passionate about their Father. During my last night at training camp, as they held evening worship, the Holy Spirit began to speak to the participants. As I stood in the back and worshipped and prayed, I didn’t directly involve myself in what the Spirit was doing in the participants. But as I watched, and I saw the beginnings of change in people, a passion was reignited: a passion to be used by God to speak His love and freedom to people. It was a passion that I had known as I led two Passport trips, but frankly, since coming home in April, had lost.
While I was at training camp, I met several people who were currently participating in Adventures in Mission’s (AIM) newest program, Center for Global Action (CGA). CGA is a discipleship program that allows AIM trip alumni to further figure out their calling while serving at AIM. By this point, I’m sure you can imagine where this blog is going. As I came home from those couple of days at training camp, CGA (and that reignited passion) stayed on my mind. As I spent time talking both to God and to other people about this opportunity, it became clearer to me that God was calling me to CGA. So this January, I’ll be packing my bags again. But this time, I won’t be leaving on a jet plane. I’ll simply be driving about 2 hours north to Gainesville, GA, where AIM is headquartered and then spending the next year working at AIM and being discipled by some amazing people.
So why am I doing this? First, I’ll get to work at AIM, doing the behind the scenes work so that thousands of people can be used by God to bring His love and His truth to people around the world. As I share about my own opportunities that I had to travel the world and spread the love of Christ, I generally tell stories that occurred in the country that I was located. Makes sense, right? But the truth is that none of those stories could have happened if it wasn’t for the people back in an office in Gainesville, GA performing numerous tasks. And now I get to be a part of ensuring that someone else gets to tell an amazing story. And that excites me to no end. Second, I’ll get to receive teaching and discipleship from leaders at AIM. As I think about my future, I know two things: I have a heart for children, and I have a heart for discipling others. However, after that, I’m at a bit of a lost. This next year at CGA will be a great opportunity to further prepare me for what God has for me in the future.
So now’s the moment where you can be a part of it. First, please be praying for me as I prepare for this transition. Be praying that God prepares my heart for this time and that I can continue to be focused on the present as I excitedly anticipate this opportunity in January. Second, of course, I need your financial support. I’ll be sharing more specific details and numbers soon, but my position at AIM will be support-raised, meaning I will be fully dependent on your support for my income. So if you would like to be a part of this opportunity, you can donate through this blog by clicking the Support me link on the left-hand panel.
