One of the biggest parts World Race Gap Year is ministry. Working with different communities and people to advance the Kingdom of God.
Ministry isn’t possible without people. People on fire for Jesus who live in and out of love. Ministry isn’t possible without the body of Christ, and for me the body looks a lot like Squad D. And even more so, my team: Team Shathal.
5 other women who I live with and spend most my time around. Girls who fight for sisterhood and to love others well. During Month 1, I wrote a blog all about them and who they were, but never got around to posting it. Now, with about 4 months left in the Race, I feel ready to share about my sisters – my mini family!
Kailey Grueser // West Virginia
KINDNESS
STRENGTH
BUTTERFLY
What are some of your biggest passions?
“The first thing that comes to mind is worship. I love worship, most people on the squad know this by now but I really just know singing and songwriting are gifts the Lord has given me. It is just from the Lord and all the glory goes back to Him in it. It’s the way the Lord has given me to express and comprehend what I am feeling. I can just sing.
I also love identity. Being on the race has heightened that passion. I just want people to know exactly who they are no matter their age. If they are children I want them to know they are precious and apart of God’s creation. But I also want people who are 80 to know their identity if they don’t.
Another big one is discipleship. Christians will just work on and aim to get people saved. We want to hear them say they accept the Lord, but then we move on. I want to take people who have accepted the Lord and walk them through the fire and all the hard things. I know that doing that on your own is so difficult. I want to walk with people and show them how many layers there are to the Lord because everyday its something new. No one should have to walk in anything but the fullness Christ has.”
If you sat down for coffee with Jesus, what would He be drinking?
Jesus would be drinking black coffee. It seems like the ‘man’ thing to do, and he is a man… haha. But also I think he might be drinking whatever I order, definitely an iced vanilla latte, and he would be on the same page as me… the same drink page *laughter*”
What is one word you would use to describe the season you’re walking through right now?
“King of My Heart.
These are the words for my season because I have just been super homesick. It’s been so hard since I have a great community here but also a great one at home too. Not having physical access to it all at the same time is rough. In Costa Rica, dependence looks so much different than our time in Georgia. I can’t just send a text to my mom or best friend whenever I want. Learning to depend on Jesus in a different way. If the Lord isn’t the center than its something worldly and not worth my time. King of my heart… not one word but close enough.”
Angelina Torres // Florida
POWER
WISDOM
AUTHENTICITY
What are some of your biggest passions?
“I’m passionate about bringing kingdom to earth. Showing people the Father’s heart. And also creativity.”
If you sat down for coffee with Jesus, what would He be drinking?
“I would say an espresso but also seems kinda boring… Jesus isn’t boring ya know. He would have a caramel frappe with extra whipped cream and chocolate chips on top.”
What is one word you would use to describe the season you’re walking through right now?
“Victory.”
Brooklyn Dilley // Iowa
POWERHOUSE
GENTLE
KNOWN
What are some of your biggest passions?
“I’m really passionate about helping people. I just want to do whatever I can to make someone else’s life easier. If someone needs something, I just want to help.
Also I really want to own a hardware store. Everyone knows its one of my biggest passions. I love working at a hardware store and maybe when I’m older and retired, or sometime before then I can open it up and know how it all works. I can help the single mom who has plumbing issues or the guy wandering in for some help. I really just want to help people.”
If you sat down for coffee with Jesus, what would He be drinking?
“The typical answer of black coffee. It makes me think of Indiana Jones with the holy grail and this big quest. He finds this little, plain, nothing special grail that was the key to their journey and Jesus is a simple guy. He knows the true value of whats inside and doesn’t need anything extra.”
What is one word you would use to describe the season you’re walking through right now?
“Believe. Its on my key necklace and every day I’m walking through what that means.”
Jamie Schroeder // Texas
PASSIONATE
REAL
ADVENTUROUS
What are some of your biggest passions?
“Women. With my testimony I feel so strongly that the Lord has put it on my heart to help women in need who have walked through abuse, sex trafficking, child abuse, rape, etc. If it involves women, I want to share my story with them and empower them into identity as a daughter of Christ.”
If you sat down for coffee with Jesus, what would He be drinking?
“A strong cup of water… cause He’s holy!! *laughter*. Oh wait… coffee! He isn’t basic so I guess He would ask me what my favorite cup of coffee is and join in on it with me. He is so intentional and loves us so much, He wants to be apart of the things we love.”
What is one word you would use to describe the season you’re walking through right now?
“Restoration.”
Sydney Spears // Florida
EAGER
INTENTIONAL
PURSUIT
What are some of your biggest passions?
“I just love people. I love showing people who they are, and whose they are. Showing that they have a place at my table, and the Lord’s table too. Diving deep and walking through the hard things.”
If you sat down for coffee with Jesus, what would He be drinking?
“Normally I would say black coffee because he wouldn’t want to offend anyone with His order. Maybe I’m dairy free and and He gets a latte but I can’t join in that ya know? But if He is chillin by himself he might get a dirty chai.”
What is one word you would use to describe the season you walking through right now?
“Surrender. He is really showing me what it looks like to give up my own desires and plans. But also looking at what fruit can come from that surrender. Giving up my fleshly desires isn’t always giving up who I am but actually stepping further into who I am.”
That’s the team! Every day I wake up next to them and have the amazing privilege to love them through it all. Community living isn’t always easy but there is no one else I would rather fight for!
Love you Team Shathal! And thanks for loving me 🙂
I adore you a whole lot !!!! Thanks for loving so well.
I just loved reading this one. You have a great way with words. I am so proud of you!! I pray that God will take care of you.
Just remember that you are loved!!
Aunt Joyice
This is great, you’ve really been doing your homework. Fun questions to show their hearts. Love your whole team and they have loved me well too, whether was just hugs or wanting to talk during our times together as a squad.
What a beautiful & powerful team of women!!