Newsletter, for anyone that missed it..

Alright, I know what you may be thinking… How much money does she need and who do I make my check out to? Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with raising financial support, but I am pleased to inform you that the Lord has already provided all of my financial needs for this trip! I am simply writing you to share about the details of this new journey the Lord is leading me on. Well, and ask for your prayers as well, but I figured that was a given (see enclosed bookmark ☺). As most of you may know, I’m moving! In just a few days, I will be packing up my things and driving East to participate in a ministry program called Emerging Leaders in Memphis, Tennessee. What is Emerging Leaders, you may ask? Well, that is kind of a loaded question, but if you will bear with me, I will see if I can give a decent explanation.

The vision of Downline Ministries is to equip the layperson with the tools, experience, and knowledge necessary to serve God effectively in whatever vocation that person may choose. Emerging Leaders is a program designed specifically for post-graduate students. The website states, “The Emerging Leaders program exists to equip gospel-centered young adults in the area of Biblical disciple-making” and “to be a launching pad into effective, gospel-centered adulthood.” In a nutshell, about 40 or so post-graduate students (including yours truly) will be living in houses in the community, taking 6 hours of class each week (basically pre-seminary Bible courses), volunteering 4 hours at the charity of our choosing, and maintaining jobs in order to support ourselves through the program (no job yet, but the Lord will provide in His perfect timing!). Each of us will also be discipled/mentored individually by someone older in the faith throughout the entirety of the program, in order that we may experience first-hand the plan Jesus gave to spread the Gospel through one-on-one, intentional relationships.

I have experienced a wide slew of emotions these past few months in preparation for this and have been challenged, grown, and prepared more than I ever thought possible, but one thing I am certain of: I am going exactly where the Lord wants me. Following Christ and choosing a life of submission to Him will never be an easy choice, but it is always the best one. As Mark 8 reminds us, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me.” I am slowly learning the reality of what that verse means, but I have no regrets and have seen first hand how trustworthy our perfect, good, and loving Heavenly Father truly is, especially when we are obedient and experience struggles because of it. God is so faithful and I cannot wait to share over this next year all of the ways that He will prove this to be true. I will be blogging about this journey and you can find the link to my blog and the ministry website on the bookmark included in this letter. May the Lord bless each of you through this journey, as He has blessed me in more ways than I can express through each of you in this time of preparation. Thank you for all that you have done in supporting me thus far and I look forward to you joining me on this journey through your prayerful support.