Where do I begin?
10.17.19 06:10 am I boarded a plane in Cleveland, OH, ready for Training Camp.
10.27.19 10:05 pm I boarded a plane in Atlanta, headed home.
11 days. 11 days packed full of love, hugs, laughter, tears, bonding, worship, learning, growth, prayer, freedom, victory, boldness, new foods, plenty of rain, joy peace and rest
26 people. 26 beautiful people that make up my squad. Each one unique and here for a specific reason, stepping out in obedience and faith.
40 pages. 40 pages of notes – documenting everything from kingdom of God, mission, culture, Unreached People Groups, identity, purpose & role, giving & receiving feedback, worship, story-telling, questions, thoughts, prayers.
3 team leaders. 2 coaches. 1 squad mentor. Such humility. Such passion. Such gentleness. Such fierce love…
1 body. 1 Spirit. 1 mind. This is unity.
1 purpose. Called to share a message of LOVE, a message of HOPE, a message of LIFE to a world that has not heard.
I have been home for a full week and I am still having trouble putting anything into words. Training Camp was rich and full, in both quantity and quality. I walked away full of joy and life, excited about the next season of my life. I walked away with so much more that what I could ever put in a blog, but I am going to try to at least share a small piece of what the Lord showed me during my time in Georgia.
Worship.
The mission is this: universal reconciliation for universal worship. Throughout the entire meta-narrative of scripture, from creation to the second coming, God has been working toward this end – His glory among the nations. We get a glimpse of this all coming to fruition in Revelation 7:9.
“…and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. …And they cried out in a loud voice:
‘Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.'”
John Piper says, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.” I realized this week that worship among the nations starts with worship in my own heart.
Worship is simply giving God the glory He deserves. It is speaking back to Him what is true. Letting His name be high and lifted up, singing loud His praises with all the breath in my lungs, because He is worthy of it all!! And oh, it was so sweet to worship with my brothers and sisters, in song and dance, in prayer, in tears, in surrender. There is incredible energy that comes from singing with conviction, as if we actually believe what we are saying. I believe it also contributed to the sweet unity among my squad, all untied in Jesus Christ, together giving all glory to our God.
The last night, we joined all the angels in their heavenly chorus, singing “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty!” As I sang, He increased and I slowly decreased, becoming very, very small before Him. Humbled, I was brought to my knees, on my face before him. Who am I, Lord? Who am I, that I should go? What was in my heart felt similar to Isaiah’s response, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” I am not worthy for what you have called me to…
As the burning coal touches Isaiahs lips, purifying what is unclean, he hears “your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” The only response in that moment to the question of the Lord, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” is this… Here I am, Lord… Send me.
He is worthy of all of my worship. He has purified me, made me clean before Him. He has called me to carry His name to the ends of the earth. He has qualified me for this ministry of reconciliation.
I pray that He might increase, and that I might decrease.
Sounds like God did some big things at traning, in you and in your team of 26! I’m so excited for you to go and experience God in a big way this next year! Excellent post, by the way. Love you and praying for you! -Mom
Thanks for the great explanation excited to see this next year unfold !
Thanks Jenn!
What a great succinct capsulation of TC !
And then a pinch of Piperesque definition of worship, with some added personal heart definition of your own!
So rejoicing with you, like you said, in both quality and quantity- a perfect measure of what God did and is doing within y’all s hearts and minds. Believing and praying He continue to prepare and have his way in you and your squad uptill January launch and beyond.
Tks Jenn, awesome share!
Thanks mom!! I love that you comment on all my posts – it shows you’re thinking of me and I’m reminded that you’re praying for me. It’s also always really encouraging!! So keep it up!
Thanks for putting your info in to comment 😉 Love you friend!!
It’s so great to reflect on everything that happened!! Thanks for all the love and encouragement from you and Kathy!
Jenn, how cool to read the condensed report. Pleases keep journalling. I have found my Africa scribbles very helpful to remembering the grace of God and the growth stretches that occurred in those days. I am excited for your opportunity and your growth.
Also, I am prepping for Sunday’s sermon which includes John’s words that you used for your title. It made me smile and sit up and take special notice. Wish you could share that report as part if the sermon!
May God bless you as you step out. Praying for full support and affirmations of Gods hand on your ways.
With love, U.Mike
I am so excited for you and praise God for how He is already working before you even go!! Love you!!
Jenn,
So encouraging and helpful. The story of Isaiah being purified spoke directly to my heart. Going into training camp I felt unqualified, not worthy, unclean. He as well broke off that false truth I was speaking over myself, and showed me a portion of His endless love to me. So encouraged by you – Your ability to share and be vulnerable is a reflection of the heart and compassion you carry for God for those He places around you. I just know He’s going to take us deeper into the wideness and wonder of His love.
Love ya :0 – Brent
I think its so cool how God weaves stories together!! Thanks for the love, encouragement and prayers- they are felt deeply! Keep them coming! 🙂
On the topic of journaling, I was watching a travel Vlog and he had a notebook with all sorts of scribbles and pictures and tickets taped in. I realized it contains memories. It doesn’t have to be perfect or neat, or completely capture everything. It was such a cool visual, kind of inspired me to keep documenting those things.
Love you!! Thanks for going with me on this adventure 😉
Ah yes Brent! Thanks for that encouragement. I love how we learn and grow from each others vulnerable places. How the Lord uses us to speak life to each others hearts.
Love you, brother 🙂
I have made a point to journal throughout my time on field as a well and they have become so special to me! I would go back and ready through them regularly to see the highs and lows, how God has provided, and where He has brought me.
It’s gonna take some intentionality, but i hope to make it happen!!