Operation Serve Team

For the past 6 weeks I’ve been in Gainesville, GA working on the AIM campus as the Serve Team Coordinator. Coming in, I had no idea what that job would entail. It has been a wild ride, but it’s been a joy being back here where my journey with the World Race began.

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The first two weeks were leader training. The squad leaders and mentors from the 5 squads gathered together to study the Word, be challenged, and prepare for their time on the field with their squads. (Squad leaders are alumni who have committed to go back out to help new racers start their journey. Mentors are alumni who stay stateside working on campus and handle logistics and other major things for their squad.) 

The serve team had the privilege of joining in on the training sessions to help us grow as godly leaders, too. This was a sweet time of fellowship for me as many people from my squad, I Squad, were here as leaders and mentors. 

Then the racers arrived on campus at the beginning of week 3. We went from about 50 staff and squad leaders one day, to over 200 people the next. About 150 racers came ready for training camp and launch. The serve team was in charge of helping in the kitchen with food prep and dishes, as well as cleaning around campus, and helping with various activities on campus. We were cast as actors in the foreign market scenario that prepares them for what an actual market in another country is like. And we also pretended to be their hosts in another country to help them know what it can be like to stay in someone’s home on the field.

At the end of the two weeks of training camp, we helped out with Squad Wars. Every training camp the squads compete against each other in Squad Wars. Each squad comes decked out in their squad’s color, then they participate in several events that earn them points. There was a sponge relay, many rounds of dodgeball, an egg toss, and a dance off that each squad choreographed themselves. The squad with the most points at the end wins, which usually comes with bragging rights and lots of cheering.

After that two of the squads launched (the 11 month group, and a short term trip) while the other three stayed for additional training. The three that stayed are Gap Year squads. They go out for 9 months and are between the ages of 17-20. They get some extra training on campus as well as two weeks of ministry with Samaritan’s Purse before they launch internationally in mid October.

My time here in Gainesville has challenged me in many ways. A lot of my job has been figuring things out as I go. This is hard in general, but especially for someone who likes to plan and be 5 steps ahead. I also had to learn how to handle the stress of the job. Living and working in the same place means people are always coming to tell me about broken things, or they need something. I had to create better personal boundaries so I didn’t work 8am to 10pm each day. 

Mistakes were made, miscommunication happened, and I had to learn to surrender it all to the Lord and keep moving forward. All in all, everyone got fed at each meal, the campus got cleaned, the racers got trained and encountered God in new ways, and we made it through our days. Ultimately it’s been a huge success! I’ve loved taking care of the behind the scenes things so others can focus on discipling and training the racers.

Besides the difficult moments, I feel refreshed and encouraged. I’ve enjoyed living in this type of community again with many alumni and the racers. We have worship daily, many conversations about God and His Word, and times of prayer. I’ve missed this since coming home from alumni leading this past spring. I even got to see people from my first race back in 2020! This has all been such a gift from God! 

Plus, I’ve loved getting to know the people who have been serving with me! Several of us have been here for the full 6 weeks while others have stopped in to help for varying lengths of time. We’ve bonded over hours of chopping food or doing dishes, and getting out to have some fun! I’m thankful for the many new friendships I’ve gained.

So, what have I learned in my time here? I learned how to make schedules for everything, and how to organize, utilize, and care for a team of people. God is teaching me that I can always trust Him more and be more dependent on Him. This can’t be done out of my own strength. I am also learning that I am way more logistically brained and detail oriented than I ever would have guessed. I have been able to apply many of the skills I honed as a teacher. So fun!

As my time with the serve team winds down, I’m praying into my next steps. For a long time I’ve been praying about doing ministry long term. What started as a dream in college turned into my first World Race. And now, here I am 3 years later, still desiring to be out in the nations sharing the gospel with those who have never heard it. I feel God moving me in that direction, but I don’t fully know what that entails yet. There are some things in the works, and I will update you when things are solidified. 

I’m so thankful for your continued prayers and support. This wouldn’t be possible without all you prayer warriors out there covering me and this ministry. God is moving in mighty ways, and you’ve been a huge part of the Kingdom work here in Gainesville and around the world. Please continue to pray for me as I seek God’s will for my life, and as I walk in obedience to Him. Also be praying for the 5 squads that either just launched or will be launching soon. Their hearts are open to God and it’s evident in how they have already changed! They are boldly sharing the gospel everywhere they go and people are getting saved, discipled, and sent out! What a joy it is to be used by the Lord to bring His Kingdom here!