For the last few weeks, we’ve been bringing you the stories of the unsung heroes of the Adventures in Missions office. So far, we’ve introduced you to Sam in Admissions and Erin in Mobilization. Both of these women play vital roles in shaping your World Race from the very beginning—from your interview to helping you buy your insurance.
But getting you on the field isn’t the office’s only job. We have people whose only—and very large—job it is to make sure you’re well cared for on the field. These are the voices on the phone providing guidance as a squad grows, mentorship for the leadership on the field, and comfort in the midst of crisis.
These wonderful men and women are called Squad Mentors, and this week we’d like to introduce you to one of them.
Meet Greg Houghton.
Greg went on the World Race in October 2010 with the original S Squad before coming back to squad lead the January 2012 C Squad. We grabbed Greg between Skype calls and asked him about his job.
What made you want to be a squad mentor?
When I was an alumni squad leader for C Squad, I went to their final debrief in the Philippines. Upon arriving there and getting to hear them reminiscing over the last year, I could hear a different group of people speaking than a year before. They talked differently, with more wisdom and insight and understanding of the kingdom.
I got to see these people take the very same journey I took just the year before. It was amazing to be able to step back from my own journey and see someone else walk the same journey and see the growth. That’s when I realized I truly believed in what Adventures in Missions, specifically the World Race, is doing to create life change in people for the kingdom's sake. I knew I had to be more of a part of it.
What experience do you have that makes you good at your job?
I was a team leader for the first seven months of the Race. Then I got the privilege to alumni squad lead a mere four months after I got back from my Race. I say all this to say that I got to experience varying positions within the Race, and I know the difficulties that come with the job.
Outside of Adventures I have spent many years living in community in one form or another. I see the difficulty in it, but at the same time the tremendous beauty when people come together for a common purpose. Pushing people into authentic community is a driving force for me.
What does a squad mentor actually do?
Much like many jobs around Adventures, we wear several hats. One hat is mentoring the Squad Leaders and to an extent team leaders who are out on the field through constant communication via Skype, phone calls, emails, and Facebook. We even visit them out on the field from time to time.
Another hat is coordinating with the Squad Coaches and Squad Experiential Coordinators about the logistics of where teams are and need to go. We match that with the contacts we have available for the months at hand. The first two aspects take the majority of our time, but we also do administrative work such as checking Racers’ support raising accounts, going to meetings, and planning the future of the World Race.
What role do squad mentors play in Racers' lives?
We offer experience and wisdom and a spiritual covering to the squads. Our focus is not directly on the Racers but more on the leadership. We’ve seen how our influence on the leadership trickles down onto the squad.
Even though our direct efforts are not toward the individual Racers, it doesn't mean we are not there for question and answers. It’s my hearts delight to be distracted during the office hours with a random conversation on Facebook from one of my Racers out on the field and to hear what God is doing in their life.
What are your favorite things about working here and about being a Squad Mentor?
Out of the many places I have worked before coming here, this by far is the most supported I have ever felt from the top down. I have never been in a place where every week is started with a free breakfast and worship for an hour afterwards. I have never been in a place where the CEO and other leaders walk around to see how people are doing.
My favorite thing about being a Squad Mentor is the chance to pour into World Racers as they have their eyes blown open to the realities of this world and to the realities of who God calls them to be: beloved, blessed, redeemed, forgiven sons and daughters. It’s amazing to see God wreck people's lives for his kingdom. That’s my favorite thing.
You’ll get to meet your Squad Mentor at Training Camp, but first you need to start an application. Click here to apply for one of our July 2014 World Race routes!
