Yep, you read correct: The World Race! For those that know me, this may be a surprise. Why give up your career? Why leave your family and friends? Why 11 months? Why leave your dog? My answer: why not!
My journey with missions began in 2008 when I was just 14. Little did I know, that week to Kansas City would change my life. Since then, as a youth, I have done missions in Thunder Bay, Ontario; St. Paul, MN and Pawhuska, OK. I have lead youth to Davenport, IA; Nashville, TN, and Milwaukee, WI. I also just returned from a disaster relief trip to Houston, TX.
While on these missions, I always felt a pull to do more. Every year, I told myself I would apply to be a staff member for the whole summer, but always failed to fill out the application.
This summer, while in Milwaukee, I felt God tapping on my shoulder again. It was the first night, and we had just began worship. We were singing Come Though Fount of Every Blessing. When the lyrics, “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.” I instantly knew I was being called to do more. That evening I began to search for mission work and came across The World Race. Within a couple weeks, I had applied and been accepted!
Now let me more directly answer “why?”:
- I want to grow in my faith.
- I want to leave behind my life of comfort and convenience for a life solely dependant on faith and trust in God.
- “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
- I want to serve
- I want to pursue God’s calling to travel the nations, spreading his love wherever I go and discipling to those I meet along the way.
- “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15
- I want to be different
- I want to share the love of God all across the world!
- “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” Romans 10:13-15
Through the World Race, my team and I will serve in partnership with churches and ministries in local communities to preach the Gospel, form churches, work in orphanages, minister to women and children trapped in prostitution as a result of human trafficking, and bring the hope of the Father’s love to many nations.
I pray that through this blog, you are able to further understand my calling and my mission. I also ask each of you to pray for myself and my team throughout this time. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I hope you’ll subscribe for updates and future blogs.
