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!
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