(This isn’t another “year in conclusion” blog, I promise.) I have arrived home to hug and kiss my family, new nephew, and the family dachshunds. Yes, my mom not only cooked bacon for me that first morning home, but has prepared this pig delicacy twice since as well.
There is the saying, “Mother knows best.” While the infallibility of my mother would be a short debate, she certainly gets things right every once in a while. Since I touched plush carpet, a queen size bed, and padded toilet seats four days ago she’s been encouraging me to share that (a) I’m home, and (b) what I’m doing next. Personally, I’m honored if you are still reading my blogs. I feel like I’ve shot, kicked, and body slammed a dead horse already with my “endofrace” meanderings, so thank you for your interest, even if it is feigned.
So what’s next? Starting in early November I will be going on staff with the World Race as their Brand Manager, which will require me to move to Gainesville, GA. (I’m excited about one of these facts more than the other. Can you guess which?) In short, my responsibilities will include communicating the vision of the World Race to the marketing department, overseeing the continued development and growth of people’s awareness and knowledge of the World Race, and advocating for the expansion of a movement that is currently gaining momentum. (If you’re like me, you’re thinking, “Wow, those are some important-sounding, superfluous words in that self-written job description.”) Here’s the back story.
I felt convicted a year ago to not think about after the Race until I returned home because I had determined that I had never truly trusted God with anything in my life before. I always had a backup. Always had a safety net. For this reason, I intentionally did not think about my occupation for the first nine months of the Race. Then “the phone call.” My future boss called—Skype is amazing—and offered me a position that at the time didn’t have a name, didn’t have a specific description, didn’t have any other takers but it did promise to be quite a challenge and leadership had confirmed that I was the one for the job. I asked her about necessary strengths to which she responded, “Someone who is a self-starter, takes initiative and gets things done. Someone who can help us define our vision, how best to communicate it, and then make a strategy to get that done. I want someone who understands the WR, represents the WR well, and honestly believes in the WR.” White flag. Throw in the towel. You got me.
As I began to meticulously weigh the positives, the developing portrait was breath-taking. I will get to be a part of the World Race community, near mountains, close to Atlanta, in a position that will challenge me, there’s room for me to define my role, in close proximity to where I went to college, a recipient of more leadership training, and there’s even local soccer leagues.
Really, the only significant downfall is the pay. While my tax bracket would skyrocket from my missionary pay, it’s a significant cut even from my first year teaching salary. My annual salary will be $25,000 with 50% being covered by the World Race and 50% from raising support. I trusted that a position for after the Race would arise, and it did. I whole-heartedly trust that by taking this next step I’m walking in obedience, and I also believe that God allows his children to be a blessing to each other in the church body.
I might be breaking protocols from Support Raising 101, but I don’t see the need to lay out persuasions like, “all I need are 20 people to each support me $50/month,” or “Wanted: Recent lottery winner with compassionate heart.” (Both of those are accurate though.) The bottom line is that I believe more than ever that the vision, not just the 11 month program, of the World Race can literally change the world. I earnestly want to build relationships with supporters that would like to partner with me in seeing
the World Race, which is in its baby stages, grow into a mature embodiment of the church, which—just like every person—is called to bring the kingdom of God to the nations, including our own.
My heart is to serve, but that usually doesn’t pay well. If you are at all interested in supporting me, I would absolute love to talk with you either over the phone (my cell is 412-849-5705) or in person (I’m finally back.) My email address is [email protected]. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I don’t mind talking/writing about what God’s doing in my life and those around me, if you hadn’t noticed.
PS: I haven’t forgotten about the questions you wrote in your comments. I hope to post the answers in the next blog. Thanks again.
