The Clueless Disciple

A Simple Life, Surrendered

Recent Posts

  • A Thread in His Tapestry

    A Thread in His Tapestry

    If we allow the Lord to work and follow Him without hesitation, we have the chance to be one of the threads in the beautiful tapestry of life that He is weaving with His people.

    In this season since my last main update, the Lord has been working with me on patient endurance. It was a hard five years of solitude with God, but it taught me to be more reliant on Him, trusting, and content in His plans.

    When I left ministry in Youth With A Mission (YWAM), I was very discouraged and felt like a failure. There were prophetic words, big dreams, and promises from God that seemingly fell by the wayside: visions of many vessels, leadership in the maritime industry, training a new generation of sailors, and a word that I would raise up an army to serve on ships around the world.

    For much of those years of patient endurance, I was impatient. The Lord kept me from planning, strategizing, and striving. He was using that time to develop and strengthen me for the journey ahead. I constantly prayed for side hustles and formal ministry opportunities, but all He was asking of me was to be faithful and content where He had me.

    I followed the Lord’s leading around the USA with Costco, both traveling to open new locations and moving my life across the country a few times. Each time, I hoped for permission to settle down, get married, or put down roots. Each time, the Lord would remind me to be faithful with what He put in front of me.

    About a year ago, the Lord started planting seeds about joining the military and led me to focus more on my fitness. I was admittedly resistant to the idea because it seemed like another step backward, but the Lord slowly showed me more of His vision for me to join. I had a personal stigma around the Navy, so I was hesitant about it as well. Through prayer, the Lord showed me how He will be restoring many of the visions from my time in YWAM and the Maritime Academy, but through my service with the US Navy.

    He continues to weave us into the tapestry of His Church. It is up to us to step back, enjoy the artistry and His sovereignty over the bigger picture, and be faithful in the little so we may be trusted with much (Luke 16:10).

  • Flashback: One of my bigger regrets

    Flashback: One of my bigger regrets

    In October 2020, a week or so after I moved to Boise, I got in a car accident.

    In July 2020, the Lord one day took me to a dealer a ways out of my way (Max Motors in Belton, MO). On the way, the Lord gave me an idea of what I was looking for: a blue 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. When I got there and started looking at it, the Lord started talking to me about what I was supposed to pay for it. It was listed for $21,000. The Lord told me that I needed at least $6,000 for my trade and that the out-the-door price wasn’t supposed to be over $18,500. If you know the 2020 car market, you know that what the Lord had laid out would be a miracle.

    Lo and behold, through the Lord’s leading and the strategies for negotiation from the book Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, the dealer finally agreed to the terms. A MIRACLE!

    The blue 2018 Subaru Crosstrek on the dealer's lot

    I got nervous because that would have been the biggest purchase I had done up to that point, and I had just paid off my car. I asked them to hold the offer for me till the end of the day (which they were not happy about), and I proceeded to my grandmother’s house, where I was living during that season.

    I wanted to talk it through and wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do, but I should have trusted the obvious miracle that the Lord had already done.

    When I got to my grandmother’s house, she quickly talked me out of it. She encouraged no more debt and said that the car I was driving was great. In her defense, her logic was sound, but it was not advice led by the Holy Spirit. I should have followed where the Lord was clearly leading, but I let outside counsel override the Lord’s will.

    Back to the accident in Boise. I was on my way from church at Capital Church in Meridian to my home in Boise.

    I was unfamiliar with the traffic lights at this particular intersection. I moved forward even though the light was for the turning lane to my left. I stopped midway through the intersection, but when the other side’s turning lane saw what I did and waved me on, I proceeded. The car behind them didn’t see what was happening and went through the intersection, and I hit the back quarter panel of their SUV. No one was seriously hurt. It totaled my car.

    My totaled Hyundai after the accident, hood up and front end crushed

    A few days later as I was shopping for a replacement vehicle, the Lord spoke to me: “If you would have bought the car that I planned for you to be in, the emergency collision avoidance system would have prevented the accident.”

    I had liability-only insurance, so I needed to take out a loan anyway to replace it. I spent about $11,000 on a 2014 Civic. Because I didn’t listen to the Lord’s leading a few months prior, I ended up in a much larger financial pickle than if I would have just trusted Him with the purchase of that Subaru.

    “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

    Have you ever let good advice talk you out of something the Lord was clearly leading you into? What happened?

  • Debt is paid and I am moving to the PNW!

    Debt is paid and I am moving to the PNW!

    Last year I arrived in Kansas City expecting it to be a layover before continuing to YWAM Ships Kona. Then the Lord spoke. I was to pay off all of my debt before I would get the go-ahead for the next step. I was filled with anxiety with the overwhelming size of this goal, $34,000, and how long it would take for me to “get back on track.”

    I was not a fan of this plan as it meant that I would lose all of my momentum with YWAM Ships and the Maritime Academy. Little did I know that a few months later COVID would happen.

    If I would have followed my timing and my goals, I would have been sent home from Kona in March/April. No job and all my debts looming over my head. Instead, the Lord chose a path for me that would give me more freedom as a result of this international crisis.

    Fast forward to 10+ months and I just paid the last payment!

    As featured on Dave Ramsey’s Instagram!

    In January, I started to hear little bits and pieces from God about not staying in KC. Then things about the Pacific Northwest, then Idaho.

    When I dug around on what opportunities I had with Costco and Amazon for moving to Idaho, I stumbled upon a new Costco warehouse opening in the metro of Boise. It “just so happened” to be opening just over a month after my projected debt payoff in August.

    In about June, I started to prepare my application for a transfer to the new store for when the opportunity opened up. The Lord then said that I would need to prepare to move, whether I got the Costco position or not. He also said, “Expect to leave around September 27th and get there around October 4th.”

    After submitting my application and having my interviews, I was denied one of the positions. A week or two went by, nothing. In the meantime, I submitted my last debt payment!

    Impatient, I called and asked if I was still up for any of the other spots. They said it would be a few days before they would know.

    Finally, three days after I paid off my debt, I got accepted for the same full-time position I am in now, at the new Meridian, Idaho Costco! My last day at the North Kansas City Costco is September 26th or 27th, and I start my new position on October 5th! God is SO good!

    In the last few months, I have grown and seen God move in new and amazing ways. I didn’t even mention the blessing of renting from YWAM Boise when I get there, the awesome ministry position I am applying for in Boise, or any of the other incredible testimonies I have seen the Lord do over the past few months.

    To stay up to date on some of these smaller stories and testimonies, please follow my Instagram account here. I do small updates about how I am walking with the Lord a few days a week.

    Now, three things I want to know from you:

    • What is the Lord doing in your life or teaching you right now?
    • What is something I can be praying about for you?
    • What has been your favorite pass time during the lockdowns?
  • Revival and a word from the Lord

    Revival and a word from the Lord

    This isn’t an update on me, but some encouragement that I felt like I was supposed to share.

    The Lord is moving through our crisis! Revival is happening, not only in Minneapolis, but California as well! Click here for more details.

    A word from the Lord:

    Dearly loved,

    Get out of your comfort zone and follow me. I have called you to step out in this time in history to make a difference for those without a voice. Step out in faith, I have a plan only you can walk out.

    Dream bigger, you are limiting My power to move by your lack of vision.  Did I not speak and all of existence was created? Did I not raise Israel from the ashes? Did I not breath the very life into your lungs? I can handle anything that comes your way. Do not be afraid, oh child.

    Walk with grace. Not everyone will see what I have shown you, but stand firm on My promises. I am the way the truth and the light and I will guide your way.

    Repent and walk intimately with Me. I long for your relationship and your trust in Me. Walk with me hand in hand and Satan will have no way in.

    I love you,

    Father God

    I hope you feel uplifted and empowered to step out in faith during your walk this week. Let me know if you have anything I can be praying about for you.

  • God IS moving!

    God IS moving!

    A lot is going on in the world today! Wells of revival are pouring over in parts of the USA, the University of the Nations published our two years of work on the Maritime Academy degree programs, and I am paying off debt!


    Revival is happening!

    A group from YWAM that you may recognize as some that I have worked with in the past, the Circuit Riders, are among the ministries that helped lead worship and ministry at the site of George Floyd’s death.  You can read more about what God did and is doing in that community, ‘From hatred to healing and hope’ by visiting this article: www.foxnews.com/us/floyd-minneapolis-ministry-memorial.amp


    Getting published

    When I joined YWAM, initially, I had no idea what the Lord was going to use me to do. Then I got a word about helping push the training of YWAM Ships to a higher standard and to develop more training, which was an absurd idea, as I hadn’t even barely been on a boat before!

    Zoom forward to today, and I just found out that the last few years of hustling have paid off!  We now have 2 Associate Degree programs and eight courses published in the University of the Nations 2020-2022 Cataloge!

    It took a lot of God and a little of me running around the globe, but we made it happen!  You helped make it happen! Without my financial supporters and prayer partners, it would not have been possible.  Now generations of people will be impacted by those who are released to spread the Gospel by boat!

    “If you are a teacher, you can impact hundreds of people, but if you teach the teachers, you will reach thousands and thousands!” – My late great grandmother, Olive Church


    Update on me

    Still working at Amazon and Costco, I have also picked up driving for Uber on my days off. Debt should be behind us by mid-August at this rate!

    I am also applying to transfer to a new Costco warehouse in Idaho with a promotion to Supervisor. The Lord has been talking to me about Idaho since around March, and He lined up my debt pay off with the opening of this warehouse.

    There is a newer YWAM team in the area that I have already connected and am excited to see the pioneering efforts and volunteer wherever they need my expertise!

    Will you join me in prayer for the debt to be paid and there to be a smooth transition to Idaho

    Thank you for your continued support and prayers as I continue to follow God’s leading!

  • Expectant for the miraculous

    Expectant for the miraculous

    The day I started this journey of following Christ (for real), about May 1st, 2016, the Lord asked me to go into missions. That was a big ask, but was an answer to the prayer I prayed, “Lord use me!”

    A short time later I discovered that I was to walk out this Word through Youth With A Mission (YWAM). For me to join YWAM, I had to pay off my car, credit card, and student debts. It all added up to around $8,000.

    Seeing the near impossibility of paying it off within the three months till I would leave for Africa, I said, “Lord, you called me to this, you have to take care of the money!”

    Less than a month later, with no donations and only with opportunities God gave me, He paid it all off!

    Today, near the same date four years later, I am in a similar situation with the debts from my time in YWAM. This time the goal is to pay off the last $7,500 by June 8th (my birthday)!

    He called me to this so I know He has got it!

    Will you join me in praying that the Lord will open up opportunities for me to pay off the rest of this by June 8th?!

    Thank you for all of your prayers throughout my ministry and work with the Lord. They are truly what has helped the mission work over the past four years!



    P.S. If you have any odd jobs that need to be done (remodeling, lawn care, landscaping, or communications/marketing consulting) let me know! I typically have two days off per week that I could work with you. Either email or message me on FB and we can work out a time.

  • God’s timing vs my timing

    God’s timing vs my timing

    A lot of times, we can get carried away with what the Lord has given to us and just run with it, when in fact, His plan was for that plan to come to pass in the future. Am I the only one who gets too excited about what the Lord is doing and forget to check on what His timing is?

    The realization that I did this just happened recently. In one of my latest updates (reference to that update here), I mentioned moving to Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Ships Kona to help with the vessels in the Pacific and help multiply the maritime training we have created. That process was supposed to be: moving from the UK to Kansas City for a month and a half to raise support and get ready to move on to the next phase of full-time ministry in November.

    Now since moving away from the UK, I realize that I had forced my timing interpretation on God’s plan.

    Some context for the next part of the story:

    Back when I just started getting involved in YWAM Ships by serving and getting trained on the s/y Next Wave in Greece (2017), I realized that I did not have enough savings left to continue in YWAM past the season on the Next Wave and had few financial supporters at that time. This situation pushed me to really pray about what the Lord was saying and if I should continue in YWAM.

    I felt the Lord clearly say, “Continue with the ministry I have laid before you, and I will take care of the finances in time.” And with those words, I stepped out in faith that the Lord would provide in HIS timing.

    More recent background:

    The past six months have been the busiest of my life; writing curriculums, registering courses, getting associates degree programs approved, etc. to where we have achieved what some might in a year or two.

    Resuming the story:

    With me back in the Kansas City area, I have been given a fantastic opportunity to “cash in” on the promise the Lord had given me back in 2017 and take care of the financial deficit from the past two years. I see this as a rare season that I can put YWAM on pause and not lose much momentum because of the past few months of intense work pushing things forward.

    With all of that said, I am going to take the next three to six months (however long it takes) to work and pay off these debts. I have already taken two jobs, one with Costco and the other with Amazon, totaling 60 +/- hours per week. The goal is to pay it off as quickly as possible to get back to full-time ministry ASAP.

    Local ministry:

    While in the KC area, I am recruiting participants and ambassadors for the Carry the Love Tour, which I am hosting in KC March/April 2020. It is a campaign to inspire our generation to love like Jesus. Our hope is for 500-1000 young adults and university students to attend this event.

    Carry the Love is put on by the Circuit Riders (a YWAM ministry), which are a part of the leadership of The Send. The Send a national campaign to catalyze every believer into a lifestyle of Christ-like action [and not settle for inaction]. The Send is coming to Arrowhead stadium fall 2020 and expectant for 70,000+ to fill it! The one in Brasil for February 2020 sold out two stadiums, and they now rented a third!

    We are hoping to use the Carry the Love event as a catalyst to get young people excited for what the Lord is doing in Kansas City and for The Send KC!

    In preparation for Carry the Love, I am connecting with churches and universities around the KC metro. If you are interested in being an ambassador for this event at your school or church, please email me at thecluelessdisciple@gmail.com.

    I am also connecting with a church plant in Parkville, Missouri, and am hoping to partner with them more after the Holidays when I have more time to spare.

    Prayer points:

    • The right connections to be made for The Send and Carry the Love
    • Hearts of people in KC to be opened to what the Lord is doing
    • The Parkville church plant to make solid connections in the local community
    • Continued guidance in how the next season of full-time ministry will look
    • Miracles to happen and the debt gets paid off soon

    P.S. Apologies with any delay in my response! With getting the jobs and trying to figure out life in KC, I have not had the chance to connect with many of my friends, family, or supporters. Things are starting to get a rhythm, so I hope to connect soon!

  • The most impactful week of my life!

    The most impactful week of my life!

    This past week was one of the most impactful in my life. The Holy Spirit came. People were delivered. Nations will never be the same.

    Imagine walking into a room, and the speaker is standing there at the pulpit, giving a message with his eyes closed the entire time. One of the first statements he makes is, “We will be praying for people later. There will be deliverance, and you will be crying by the end of it!”

    Throughout the week, the Lord showed up. However, Wednesday was by far the most significant move among the group. Demons were cast out, people gained an understanding of their callings, the love of the Father refreshed our hearts, and there is a passion for a new revival in Europe! It is as if a spiritual defibrillator hit Harpenden.

    During the week the 21project team poured out their heart and passion for sharing the Gospel with the world. We even had Brian Brennt (Leader of the Circuit Riders and The Send), Lynn Green (International Communications Leader in YWAM and Founder of YWAM England), Paul Manwaring (in Senior Leadership with Bethel International), and Ben Fitzgerald (Leader of Awakening Europe and Australia) speaking towards the end of the time.

    Since the last night, a group of guys on campus have not been able to shake the passion that was poured out. With the fresh fire burning, our group decided on the last night to have a revival prayer walk around the campus. The original intention for this time was to walk for 15-20 minutes. It ended up being two-hours! Ever since that night, we have tried to do a prayer walk each night, and each time, the Lord takes us on a two-hour or more journey!

    These are a few of the words the Lord has spoken during the prayer walks:

    • Revival for Europe is coming, and YWAM Harpenden has a significant part to play in its success and its lasting impact.
    • There will be hundreds coming on campus to be trained then sent out to the nations.
    • Growth will be so quick that we will have tents as classrooms.
    • Those who are sent from this place will reach and impact every nation.
    • A new 24/7 prayer room will come out of the campus in partnership with other ministries.

    We plan to continue these meetings with the hope that the 24/7 prayer movement will be a fruit of our intercession.

    Will you join us in prayer over; revival, Europe, YWAM Harpenden, training and the nations?

  • I’m moving!

    I’m moving!

    If you keep up with my updates, you may remember that in a recent newsletter, I mentioned a change of location.  This transition comes as my UK visa expires in December and I have been praying about the next season.

    Since starting to pray in March about the possibility of a transition, I felt a leading towards YWAM Kona in Hawaii.  The Lord confirmed this sense in many ways, but most prominently when I received a vision download at 1 am on June 24th.  During this vision, I saw a picture of the next 5-6 years with the Maritime Academy and my role to play in it.

    Background

    YWAM Kona is the largest of YWAM’s 2000+ campuses.  Their Port Campus is an international YWAM Ships networking hub, which currently oversees four vessels.  The main YWAM Kona campus is the University of the Nations International Headquarters, which I work with to develop the maritime courses and degree programs.

    For more details on the impact of YWAM Ships, click here.

    The Vision

    In the first 2-4 years of the picture, I saw that it was a critical time that needs to be strategic and intentional while in Kona.  Dedicated for networking, personal leadership development, and recruiting for the Maritime Academy team and students, this time will be essential for the later part of the 5-6 year vision.

    The later part of this vision depicted that I am to lead a team to pioneer a maritime training focused YWAM campus.  This location would operate as a YWAM location, but with the structure and organization of a university.  The idea is to run the University of the Nations accredited courses at this location and work with the national accreditation system to be recognized as a nationally accredited university.

    If achieved, this will be the only accredited Christian maritime university on the planet (we already have the only Christian Associates degrees in Maritime Studies in the world).

    Moving Forward

    I will continue my role with the Maritime Academy in International Operations, pioneering and coordinating the courses and degree programs we have created.  In addition to my current position, I will also be working with fleet support, ship management, and helping facilitate maritime training at YWAM Ships Kona.

    For more info on my role, calling, and the Maritime Academy, click here.

    During this time in Kona, I will be engaging in more leadership opportunities, as well as gaining more maritime and training experience.  All to gain the expertise and network necessary to pioneer the new campus in 5-6 years.

    The Transition

    On September 23rd I will be officially leaving YWAM Harpenden and will be flying to Kansas City.  I will then be working to pay for the move and pay off debts, while also plugging into my sending church, Church of the Four Corners, and spending time with family.  The current expectation is to be in the KC area until early to mid-November, then moving to Port YWAM Kona, Hawaii.

    The Fun Topic: Money

    With this change in location and increased cost of living and travel, I need your prayers that more financial partners will join the mission.

    YWAM Kona requires a minimum income of all staff to be $1,500 per month.  I just reached that minimum, but I travel more than their minimum budget allows with the training events, courses, and workshops I oversee.  Plus, I have some debt from the days when I wasn’t funded to pay off.

    My goal to cover all increased and added expenses is $2,800 per month (before taxes).

    Prayer Requests

    • Relationships to be strengthened in this time, not strained
    • Time in KC to be restful, productive, and a good time with family
    • The transition and integration to the new campus to be smooth
    • A vehicle to use for the time in Kansas City
    • Finances for the move and monthly expenses
    • Debts to be paid off

    Thank you for your prayers and support during this transition. I am fully expectant that the Lord is going to do even more incredible things than we have seen up to this point!

    P.S. Over the past few days, I have been attending the 21 Project (for more info click here) and the Lord has been revealing even more amazing things for this next season and possibly even partnering with ministries in Kansas City.  If you would like to hear more, feel free to message me on facebook or respond to this email.

  • Life in Images

    Life in Images

    My last update covered more of the big picture and vision of what I do and what I am involved in, but these next few updates will hopefully shed some light on what my personal life in a missional community looks like practically.

    A day in the office

    From brainstorming new degree programs to planning a course in Australia, networking with our Coaches in America to managing international social media campaigns, most of it happens here at my computer. With a network of more than six campuses, at least twelve vessels, and numerous individuals around the world, most days start and/or end in communication with our team, wherever they are.

    Some people assume that my passion is the ships and sailboats, but that isn’t the full truth. I love the marine-based ministries and the huge impact they have had on the world, but my passion is: communication, excellence, and efficiency. Through these passions, the Lord led me to serve YWAM Ships and the University of the Nations.

    I find joy in taking a big vision and finding a way to communicate it and make it happen, and our team makes that a possibility. For me, a normal day in the office looks like answering emails, strategizing with our office staff, brainstorming new ideas/solutions, refining our workflows, writing publications, and other bits and bobs.

    Remember the team that I mentioned earlier that makes what we do a possibility? You are a part of that team. Through your prayers and financial support, you are just as much a part of the vision as any of us in the office!