Meet My People!!

Hello friends,

I started off this month with complete strangers but as I look around, I no longer see unfamiliar faces. I see a family, a church body, friends that laugh together, do the hard things together, celebrate and live together.

Most people can relate to experiencing new seasons like this where they start off knowing no one. However, I am not sure how many people have the opportunity to experience a community like this. A community of all like minded believers who all desire to spread the kingdom. Whether that is here among our own community or across the world. This is a community of fresh out of high school students who are expectant of what the Lord wants to do and holding hands open to the Lords will and plans for their lives. A community that worships together, makes memories together and calls each other higher. Comes together to support each other, serve each other and learn how to become like Christ in the way we love each other.

I am so thankful for this special community that I get to call family for the next nine months, what an honor to know these people, and to be on this journey with them! I thought what better way than to introduce you to them yourself! I am sure over the course of this journey you will hear lots about them!

Meet Squad F!! There are 24 of us racers, A Squad Mentor, 3 Squad Leaders who will come on the field with us and 4 Team Leaders!

What are all these leader rolls you ask?!

Squad Mentor: An individual who leads and disciples our squad throughout the whole journey and brings so much wisdom and experience to the table. I am blessed to have an incredibly mentor, Kyndal! She herself has gone on the World Race and even lead a Gap squad as a Squad Leader. She does a lot of the behind the scenes to make sure everything goes smoothly for us both on and off the field. She comes out for debriefs and visits on the field but for most of the journey she leads from afar at the AIM base here in Gainesville.

Squad Leader(SQL): Incredible people who walk along side us in this journey (on the ground) who have also gone on the World Race previously! They too bring along with them wisdom and experience. Our Squad Leaders, Milly, Kenz and Aaron get to launch with us in January and lead us in ministry etc on the field.

Team Leaders (TLs): These are alumni gap year racers who spend the first three months with us on the field. My squad is divided into four teams, so each team is assigned a team Leader! Reagan, Austin, Sam and my very own Team Leader Leanna serve as our team leaders! They help lead the teams until racers are raised up to lead them.

Oh what an honor and joy it is to have the one and only Leanna Murphy as my team Leader! She walks with pure joy in her step and is an absolute light every where she goes. She is an encourager, loves hard and I am so blessed for the influence she has had on my team and personally. She creates an atmosphere of celebration and is so intentionally with those she loves, in diving into the word and sitting with the Lord. So incredibly thankful to have her along on this journey!

And now for my team!! Drum Roll please…. Team Fervent!

The name fervent intentionally was chosen to describe how we desire to be fervent for the Lord! The definition means, on fire, enthusiasm or passion for something. As we were discussing choosing fervent as our name we looked to the scriptures and found, Romans 12:11-12 “ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” How appropriate was this verse for the journey we are on? As we discussed all of this with Leanna (our team leader!) she told us that this verse was the verse the Lord laid on her heart when she began praying over our team! Wow, Thanks God! Team Fervent it is, what a special meaning to have behind our name. Without further ado I am excited to introduce you to my teammates! These are the wonderful women I get to serve alongside, to challenge and encourage each other! Just look at their beautiful smiles. All smiles and joy around here!

First up… Rachel!! This girl has a heart of wisdom and love for God’s word like no other! She seeks truth and has so much wisdom to share. The Lord speaks through her, and I truly admire the way she loves the Lord. I am so excited to learn from her and grow from the conversations we share!

Mackenzie (Kenzi)!! She is filled with love and creativity! Her passion for the Lord and his people is so evident in the way she lives. It is so fun to see the way the Lord works through her creative talents and love for all people. I am excited to see all the Lord does through sweet Kenzi!  

Anahi (Ana)!!! This beauty is filled with grace and a peace that changes atmospheres. She is one of those people that make you forget about being stressed and just want to sit and relax! The Lord has gifted her with a voice of an angel and it is such an honor to witness her using this gift to glorify him. Can’t wait to see what the next eight months have in store with her!

Next up is Liv!! She is bold, brave and such a joy to have around. From the stories she tells to the love she shares I am blessed to know her! She walks in faith and the Lord is evidently working in and through her. I can always count on her to put a smile on my face or check in on me. I am excited to continue to get to know her and be on this journey with her!

This is sweet Gracie!! Oh this girl is filled with gentleness and love for others! She seeks to know the father and hear his voice and it is such a joy to hear about how the Lord is already working in her life. She faces every and any situation with a positive attitude. It is a joy to know her and get to do this journey together!

Last but certainly not least… Anna! This girl is strong and perseveres through anything! She brings laughter to every situation. She shares what is on her heart and is eager to grown! It is so neat to see the ways she is already growing and watch her passionately love those around her! Excited for the road ahead with this girl!