For those of you who have been wondering if I am still going on the Race: I am. And if you are wondering when and where I will be going: Keep reading…
About two months ago, I was sitting in church and a man from Palestine came up to speak to our church. He was talking about how he was one of the few Christians in his region. This was the starting point of when the Lord really began to realign some areas in my heart, one of them including which route I will be taking on this World Race. I took a couple weeks, to pray to God and search within myself to see if this was what He wanted me to do (this is why you haven’t seen any updates in a while). I was torn because I had been planning on leaving in July with my “U Squad” team. We would be hitting areas like South Africa, Guatemala, and Cambodia. Let me state that this WILL be an amazing trip with remarkable missionaries. This team has been my family since January. Always encouraging each other and praying for one another. But I knew I was supposed to switch. I believe God has led me to what the World Race calls the Expedition route, which departs in January 2016. On the Expedition route, we will serve countries in the 10/40 window (the most unreached area in the world). The countries we will be traveling to are Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, China:Tibet, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, and Morocco. Out of 4.75 billion (Yes, that’s billion with a B) people living in this region, most have NEVER heard the good news of Jesus. The World Race organization has never been to 8 of these 11 countries we will be living in. What an opportunity!
When I originally applied up for the World Race, I picked July because I wanted to leave as soon as possible and these were some awesome countries. Yes, I prayed about it, but in the end, it came down to how fast I wanted to leave and visiting countries I had desired to go to (note how many times I said “I” in those 2 sentences). If you follow me on social media (@taylorupchurch), you will notice I have been posting more about the cross and Jesus. This is what God has been teaching me. Life isn’t about me. It’s not about what I want to do. It’s about reflecting Jesus to broken people. It’s about giving glory to God and loving those He puts around us. I recently heard Pastor Matt Chandler say, “The more you make life about yourself, the more miserable of a human you will be.” Crazy concept right? But so true. So, I need to make this mission trip about Him. Not what cool countries I get to go to, what we accomplished, or how many sweet selfies I can take overseas, but simply spreading the Gospel (Although, leave no doubt, I will be taking many sweet selfies).
This is what we have been commanded to do. Send the Gospel to the world. Does this mean everyone needs to go overseas? Not necessarily, if you know God isn’t leading you in that direction. But if you claim to be a Jesus follower, it does mean WE need to give to those who are going to spread the Gospel overseas. He commands us to “go” into the world and teach everyone, what He has commanded (Matt. 28:19-20). Yes, in “our own world,” but also to the entire world. How will they hear the Gospel if no one is preaching to them? (Romans 10:14) You might say, “Well studies show, if their own countrymen preach it is more effective.” Maybe so. But first off, I wouldn’t put God’s effectiveness in a box. Secondly, if no one in their own village is a Christian, who will give them the Gospel and train them to give to others?
I believe God has called me to this trip. I believe the people in the country of Georgia need the Gospel just as much as people in the state of Georgia. So I implore you to pray for my team and I. And again I will ask you to give money to this Gospel-spreading trip. You can give monthly or a one-time gift. Ask me if you have any questions. Bless you, Christ followers! All glory to God!
