As a lot of you know, I’ve been home for over a month now. Home home. Holland state park, apple orchard, superman ice cream, white oak trees, great lakes, meijer, home.
Transition has been weird. Mostly because it sort of feels like I never left. Sometimes it’s difficult to believe that I’m still capable of listening to God & doing what He says when I’m living in my parents’ basement.
I’m writing this blog mainly to announce something that I think is really exciting! in less than one month, I’ll be moving to Georgia to be part of a leadership/discipleship program with Adventures in Missions, the same organization I went on the world race with. The program is called CGA, which stands for the Center for Global Action. Their mission is to “mobilize a generation to be passionate followers of Jesus who live out their faith whether at home, professionally, or church planting overseas”. I’m assuming you might have a few questions, so I’ll try to answer some basic ones below.
What:
This is a program where I will learn how to be a leader in my faith in whichever path God leads me down in life. The point is to know myself, so I can lead myself, so I can lead others. While on the race, I learned that living a life of ministry doesn’t necessarily mean signing up for mission trips all the time. It means living missionally every day, no matter what. Even when I’m doing the most mundane things. I don’t yet know what I want to do job-wise in my life, but I know that this program will give me a new confidence as well as tools to live like Christ wherever I go. While I go to class, I will also have a part time job so that I can practice using what I’ve learned right away. If any of you have any recommendations on where I should work in Gainesville, GA, let me know 😉 This will definitely be a season of learning and failing and growth and community and Jesus.
Who:
Me, along with other world race gap year alumni, including a few friends from my squad! Our leaders/teachers will be Kaylaynn McAdams and Ben Able, and we will also have disciplers with us along the way.
Why:
I started trying to learn more about CGA literally one month into my race. It took me a while to decide on doing it, but it was made clear to me that this is what I am supposed to pursue next through the words of mentors and the direction of the Lord. I believe that the Lord wants to give me a new passion for Christ while I’m in this program. I believe that he wants to see me fail only so that I can learn more about being his follower. I also believe that He has so much in store for me and my classmates that we don’t even know yet, which is crazy. What I do know, though, is that this is where God wants me. Whether I choose to go to college afterwards, or go home and work, or go somewhere&do something completely new, I will have spent 4 amazing months being equipped to do so in Christ.
When:
The program starts August 2nd and will end December 14th. This is so that the participants are able to go to spring semester at college if they choose to. I’ll be working up until I go, and then I will find a new job when I am down there.
Where:
Gainesville, GA, a place that is newly near and dear to my heart. This is where the Adventures in Missions campus is. Our classroom is on the AIM campus, but we will be living in houses around Gainesville.
If you read this blog and it sparks any more questions, please feel free to reach out to me! I would love to talk to you.
In order to be part of this program, I need to fundraise again. I will be working this summer to put funds towards it, and money I make while I’m in Georgia will also go towards it, but I still need help from anyone who feels led to donate! The total I need for CGA is $5,950. I need to have the first $2,000 raised by the first day of the program, August 2nd! If you read this blog or any of my future blogs and feel like you want to donate, please reach out to me! Or click the donate button at the top of my blog. I am incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported my previous endeavors with AIM, and for those that are continuing to support me as I follow Christ wherever he leads me. 🙂
More blogs to come! Feel free to subscribe to my blog if you aren’t already and if you want to keep up with me throughout this next adventure.
