SEND North America
Hello beloved family and friends! I have some exciting news!
I have recently applied to a discipleship training program across the country called SEND North America (SEND stands for Servants Equipping New Disciples). SEND North America is a ten month program dedicated to helping 18- 25 year olds, like myself, become disciples of Christ, through biblical teachings, missions work, and leadership training. It’s based out of Kendallville, Indiana, where all the students will live, learn, and grow in the word of God together! This sounds like such an amazing way to grow and find a path for my life! To be honest, I’ve kind of had an inner battle the past several years, trying to decide what I want the next steps of my life to be, but I think this is the direction I want to go for now and after praying on it, I feel as though God can use me in great ways through this program.
If you read my last major blog post, you may know of my previous plans for backpacking Europe. I’ve wanted to backpack around Europe since I was 13. It always seemed like the ultimate fantasy lifestyle, moving from place to place, meeting new people, going on adventures and learning valuable life lessons. And although it’s still on my bucket list, I’ve felt that backpacking as a lifestyle just doesn’t fit me as well as it used to. I’ve lost my passion for it and that blog post was partly written to convince myself into loving it again. I hasn’t really worked. My family and I have been living in Salt Lake City for the last few months but before that we had been living in Joshua Tree, California for about 2 and a half years. During our time living there, I was introduced a church called Church on the Hill. There, I learned many valuable lessons that kind of attributed to my shifted passion. Things like:
These lessons have inspired a new desire in me that I hadn't really felt before: to help others, to have a heart for people. I’m so excited to learn and grow with others in such an amazing community like SEND. Throughout my time at SEND I will be devoted to deepening my faith further, through teachings from over 50 pastors, ministry leaders, missionaries, church planters, and more. I will also experience seven domestic mission excursions all throughout the country, and one international mission trip at the end of my SEND experience. Along with the lessons, each week my SEND team and I will participate in local mission service opportunities. I’m so excited to learn all I can from these, especially about how to grow my leadership skills, finding how to balance my overthinking personality with taking action, and the lifting up of others. I can’t wait to see how else God will use this time to grow myself and those around me!
One big thing that sets this program apart from any seminary or college is that it is one of the first of its kind committed to graduating it’s students completely debt free! In order to do this, SEND challenges each of its students, including me, to find a minimum of ten sponsors or ‘support partners’ to financially support me to cover the tuition of the program which equates to $5,000 USD. In return for their generous giving, each of the families/individuals I’m in partner with will have the opportunity to receive monthly specialized newsletters, written by me, describing in detail how their donations are affecting and growing myself, my fellow students, and the Kingdom of God. Although I will begin blogging about my adventures there often, the newsletters provide an in depth behind the scenes including pictures, stories, and lessons learned specially for those whom have chosen to give financially.
I ask you to prayerfully consider partnering with me through this adventure. Regardless of you decision to give, please share this with any friends, family, or coworkers you think may be interested in giving to missions work or kingdom growth! If you have any questions, are interested in becoming a support partner, or would like to know more about SEND North America, you can visit their website or contact me with the information below.
Thank you!
I have recently applied to a discipleship training program across the country called SEND North America (SEND stands for Servants Equipping New Disciples). SEND North America is a ten month program dedicated to helping 18- 25 year olds, like myself, become disciples of Christ, through biblical teachings, missions work, and leadership training. It’s based out of Kendallville, Indiana, where all the students will live, learn, and grow in the word of God together! This sounds like such an amazing way to grow and find a path for my life! To be honest, I’ve kind of had an inner battle the past several years, trying to decide what I want the next steps of my life to be, but I think this is the direction I want to go for now and after praying on it, I feel as though God can use me in great ways through this program.
If you read my last major blog post, you may know of my previous plans for backpacking Europe. I’ve wanted to backpack around Europe since I was 13. It always seemed like the ultimate fantasy lifestyle, moving from place to place, meeting new people, going on adventures and learning valuable life lessons. And although it’s still on my bucket list, I’ve felt that backpacking as a lifestyle just doesn’t fit me as well as it used to. I’ve lost my passion for it and that blog post was partly written to convince myself into loving it again. I hasn’t really worked. My family and I have been living in Salt Lake City for the last few months but before that we had been living in Joshua Tree, California for about 2 and a half years. During our time living there, I was introduced a church called Church on the Hill. There, I learned many valuable lessons that kind of attributed to my shifted passion. Things like:
- Although, independence is freeing from things like loss or sacrifice, Community and friendship creat strength, which is much more powerful.
- God can use me the way I am- imperfections and all- to make a difference. (this one was huge for me!)
- But that doesn’t mean I should stop growing. Striving for growth is my favorite way to glorify God!
- Leadership is not about telling people what to do. It’s about making an example of yourself and asking others to follow for their own good and the good of God and the world.
- Learning, Lifting, Leading, and Loving are some of the strongest ways to grow.
- Responsibility can be terrifying- but fear often is a sign of growth.
- Uncomfortable feelings are good! I means it’s time to grow!
- Food will always bring people together.
These lessons have inspired a new desire in me that I hadn't really felt before: to help others, to have a heart for people. I’m so excited to learn and grow with others in such an amazing community like SEND. Throughout my time at SEND I will be devoted to deepening my faith further, through teachings from over 50 pastors, ministry leaders, missionaries, church planters, and more. I will also experience seven domestic mission excursions all throughout the country, and one international mission trip at the end of my SEND experience. Along with the lessons, each week my SEND team and I will participate in local mission service opportunities. I’m so excited to learn all I can from these, especially about how to grow my leadership skills, finding how to balance my overthinking personality with taking action, and the lifting up of others. I can’t wait to see how else God will use this time to grow myself and those around me!
One big thing that sets this program apart from any seminary or college is that it is one of the first of its kind committed to graduating it’s students completely debt free! In order to do this, SEND challenges each of its students, including me, to find a minimum of ten sponsors or ‘support partners’ to financially support me to cover the tuition of the program which equates to $5,000 USD. In return for their generous giving, each of the families/individuals I’m in partner with will have the opportunity to receive monthly specialized newsletters, written by me, describing in detail how their donations are affecting and growing myself, my fellow students, and the Kingdom of God. Although I will begin blogging about my adventures there often, the newsletters provide an in depth behind the scenes including pictures, stories, and lessons learned specially for those whom have chosen to give financially.
I ask you to prayerfully consider partnering with me through this adventure. Regardless of you decision to give, please share this with any friends, family, or coworkers you think may be interested in giving to missions work or kingdom growth! If you have any questions, are interested in becoming a support partner, or would like to know more about SEND North America, you can visit their website or contact me with the information below.
Thank you!
“As the Father has sent me, I send you.” John 20:21