Training Camp is amazing. The unity of vision for MORE
of Jesus Christ which exists at Training Camp builds
incredible bonds between everyone there. This unity is apparent in
the pictures and testimony after testimony that have come out of this
powerful week of growth and change.
Photographs courtesy of Sam Francart
For myself, God has answered a looming question that I had no answer
to for months leading up to camp. Whenever my friends and family
talked to me about my upcoming World Race, they would reiterate how
different a person I would return as.
Would I?
Really?
What if I didn’t change?
WHAT IF I STAYED THE SAME??
They would reply: There is NO WAY you could stay the same
after embarking on such an 11-month journey. NO WAY.
I wasn’t so sure. I mean, I have been on several church retreats and
short-term mission trips, and each time, I was witness to and
personally experienced a “spiritual high” that upon returning
from the mountain or foreign country, would eventually fade. The
“crazy love” for Christ I felt at the end of the trip dissolves
into a lukewarm love for Christ for some people, including myself,
upon returning to “reality”.
So how is the World Race any different?
By the end of my week at Training Camp, I can confidently say that
YES, the World Race IS different and there is NO
WAY I will return the same person I was when I leave in less than a
month. However, there is a catch. I must maintain a willingness
to change at all times.
I believe God has revealed to me exactly how this change and growth
in a Racer’s faith, thoughts and actions will come about and, most
importantly, be sustainable long after the Race is over.
First, I believe change and growth will occur exponentially
AND gradually.
The exponential growth in my faith will be ushered in by the
incredible miracles God will use myself and my team to pour out upon
the needy and broken. Healing the sick, raising the dead and casting
out demons will grow our faith immensely and bring about exponential
change.
Meanwhile, the gradual change in my faith, thoughts and actions will
be made through the use of an incredible tool known as feedback.
This tool, which emphasizes both positive and constructive feedback,
creates a transparent and safe environment within my team that builds
trust and unity, therefore making us far more effective for His
Kingdom.
The implementation of this tool within my team will be crucial
to bringing and sustaining growth in each of us.
The gradual sustains the exponential
So yes, I can confidently claim that I will return from the World
Race a different person, and for the better. I believe that I WILL
change and win my World Race. If the upcoming 11 months are
anything like Training Camp, then I believe my Father has placed the
odds in my favor.
