In CGA we have the opportunity to learn a lot of information and there is a lot thrown at us in the form of lectures, books, and skills. It is true we are taught a smorgasbord of information, but even more importantly we are given the opportunity to test it out and actually put it into practice. As leaders it matters very little if you have all this information and have no idea how to use it. In our evangelism we are taught tools to be more effective at evangelizing and then we go out and practice evangelism. Then we equip the people we evangelized to become evangelizers themselves. We are also given the opportunity to test out things like feedback, team formations, having difficult conversations, casting vision, influencing others, creating culture, public speaking, vulnerability, and many more.
As this is a leadership program we are also given the opportunity to lead and not just in a safe classroom environment. Part of the hope of the program is to develop effective leaders and a great majority of us have a heart for missions. (myself included) So with that being said we have been given an extraordinary opportunity to lead short term mission trips at the end of June. Two of our other CGA participants (Sarah Kate and Jordan) and myself will be heading to New Orleans on Friday (June 22nd) and we will be joined by a youth group from Denver consisting of 35 youth. During the week we be putting on a free sports camp to a local community in New Orleans and serving at a local Second Harvest food bank. We will also be hosting a giant block party at the church to conclude the week. Throughout the week we will have the opportunity to impart with them and teach them concepts such as listening prayer, sharing testimonies, building meaning full relationships, living in community, and meeting needs of others. Along with taking part in the leadership team of the trip I am also responsible for the finances and logistics of the trip. You can find more information out about the trip here (https://www.adventures.org/trips/mission-trips.asp?locID=18&typeid=4&subtypeid=2)
We will also be having a blog where we will be posting updates and photos from the week and you can follow along with that here neworleans.myadventure.org
Then in July, after we return from our short term mission trips we have an opportunity to take part in training teams for the World Race Gap year training camp. With being a part of training teams we will be working alongside squad mentors, squad leaders, and other AIM staff in equipping and mobilizing 18-20 year olds as they prepare to launch on a 9 month world race that is very similar to the 11 month journey I took part in last year. Many of these young adults are fresh out of high school so it is a great opportunity for us to encourage them, be an influence in their lives, and ultimately walk beside them as the go out and minister all around the world.
A lot of things are happening over the next month and this is not only a busy time for me but for the entire organization. Prayers are always greatly appreciated and here are a few things that you can be praying for.
-Pray for the participants and their families as the entrust us with leading them for the week.
-Pray for the city of New Orleans and that the people we come in contact with will be inviting and have an opened heart for us to love on them and share the Gospel.
-Pray for us as a leadership team. That we will lead as selfless, humble individuals who are always putting the focus back on Jesus. Pray that we have the confidence in ourselves to make the right decisions and the grace when we actually don’t.
-As always, pray for safe travels. Even though the three of us have traveled great distances before there are always new challenges faced when embarking on new journeys. And it might very well be the first time some of the participants have ever traveled apart from the families.
-And finally, last but not least pray that we just have fun and enjoy the experience. Pray that Jesus is at the center of it all and that we are just his hands and feet.
