The journey of the last five to six months had been amazing with Eric, Soloman, Laura and Alysa as our squad leaders. Our time in Israel/Palestine was the culmination of being discipled by these amazing brothers and sisters. These were leaders who were fearlessly seeking after the Lord and who served the squad with reckless servitude. These were mightily anointed men and women of God. The best way I can describe being prayed for by our squad leaders is that a glory cloud settles on your shoulders, when a peace so otherworldly sets in and all one can do is soak, melt and float there for a moment in that peace.
I can recall the first encounters I had with the squad leaders in their element when we did worship in the training center. That was when I first saw how on fire Laura was for the Lord in just her abandonment in her praise for the Father. I saw her singing her heart out and she just worshipped with every fiber of her soul. She is gifted with an amazing voice and the ability to harmonize. I just remember standing next to her at the edge of the aisle and she was there completely in the zone.
I remember when I was first prayed for by Soloman during worship at training camp, and he recited verses from Psalm 139, my favorite psalm. He spoke the gift of prophecy over me, which would set off future prayers I would say for others that would hit spot on pertaining to that person about an active need or question, or some other type of confirmation of the Lord being at work. I felt such a supernatural peace as he closed his eyes to say this prayer over me and as he gently kept his hand on my shoulder.
I remember receiving a multi-paragraph message from Eric during the interim between training camp and launch to edify and exhort about steadfastness. This man would be so devoted to his calling as SQL, that he would write a spirit-led essay in the middle of the day to you. I also remember the time that he saw the need of a sister who questioned her self worth and he gave her the biggest father hug that was so full of Christ.
I remember doing stretches with Alysa after a morning run during our time in North Africa and she was so intentional about asking me questions about my spiritual walk and my walk with community in the team setting. Sure, these were responsibilities that squad leaders were entrusted with, but you could just tell that she was 100% invested and genuinely cared about us. She offered to pray for my ankle on a consistent basis and refused to let me kneel while she did it. She had such humility in her leadership role and totally embodied having a servant heart.
I continuously marvel at the opportunity I’d been given to live out my walk with Christ in this community. I miss these squad leaders and am grateful for all they had poured into us!
