When I went on my first World Race back in 2020, I was introduced to my squadmates, as well as the people who would be leading our squad. Squads typically have a team leader for each team, and then 2-3 squad leaders who lead the squad as a whole. They are alumni who walk alongside us for the first half of our Race and then raise up new leaders from our squad to lead us for the rest of the Race.
I LOVED my alumni squad leaders! Shout out to Brandon, Ari, and Katie! This is my squad praying over them before they headed back to the states in the middle of my Race in 2021. I was challenged by them spiritually by how they lived out their faith, spoke truth to me, challenged me, and led by example. From very early on, I dreamed of going back out on the field with a squad as a squad leader and being able to have an impact on new Racers the way my squad leaders had an impact on me.
And God is making that dream into a reality!
On August 20th I will return to Adventures In Missions to train as a squad leader for an 11-month squad! I will be on the field with the squad for 5-6 months and we will go to Guatemala and Romania. My role is to lead, teach, encourage, challenge, and love this new squad. Then, I will help raise up new leaders to take my place as the squad continues on.
And I wont be doing this alone. I will be leading with a dear friend who I was a team leader for on her Race in 2022, and who was on the same alumni squad with me this past spring! I’m so excited to get to lead alongside her! We will also be on a leadership team with our mentor Jenna, who is another dear friend of mine, and our coaches.
I’m really excited about this opportunity because it centers around discipleship, which I’m very passionate about. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it says:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Paul was writing to Timothy about these things. I want to personally be complete, equipped for every good work. I also want these things for other believers. The Lord is allowing me to be a part of this next generation’s training and growth. And I’m so honored and excited!
Please pray for me and this new squad (Z-Squad) as we prepare to meet and launch in September. It’s coming up fast! I am also continuing to build a monthly support team. My goal is to have $500-$1,000 in monthly donations, and I already have $250 coming in monthly! Even $5 a month can make a big difference.
If you feel led to partner with me through one-time or monthly donations, the information is below. Your support is helping to advance His Kingdom around the world and raise up this next generation!
Venmo: alaynawood
Checks: make them out to Adventures In Missions and put ‘Alayna Wood’ on the memo line. Then send them to:
Adventures In Missions
6000 Wellspring Trail
Gainesville, GA 30506
If you would like to hear more about what God has me doing next, or just catch up, feel free to reach out!
Email- [email protected]
