hi friends !!! it‘s about time I posted an update about what life/ministry looks like right now! I’ve been in beautiful Gainesville, Georgia for a little over a month now! I arrived on August 24, and after over a week of leader training we finally got to welcome the group of racers that we have the honor of discipling & training before they launch internationally in January! I wanted to use this opportunity to introduce all of you to the team of six girls that I specifically have the privilege of working closely with, pouring into, discipling, and walking alongside in this season of preparation!! Normally, as an alumni team leader I would be going to ministry with them every day and showing them how to do life on the field, but because of COVID and the changes to Gap Year and this being three months of intensive teaching rather than “doing” ministry, these girls actually ARE my ministry! How cool is that, that my job is just to love them and point them back to Jesus?! Thanks God!!
SO, without further ado:
meet Team Shathal !! Shathal is Hebrew for “root”, and they chose this name because it reflects their desire to be rooted in Christ (Colossians 2:6-7) and to learn to abide in the Father’s love (John 15).
~Angelina
a woman who has taught me so much about childlike faith and allowing God to truly be our Father! she gets excited about little things like seeing a pine cone for the first time, or being around people who speak with a country accent (she‘a a BIIIIG Miami gal). she knows the importance of finding that secret place with the Lord and seeks out solitude with Him on the daily! she has a big heart for spontaneous worship, & being in her presence makes you feel grounded and pointed back to Jesus every time.
~Gretchen
a woman with a deep love for the Word and a hunger to share the Father‘s love with others! she‘s a BIG fan of wildflowers and early mornings! sometimes she gets hit in the face by random flying objects or falls down the stairs, but she always keeps going forward with a big smile on her face. she takes lots of notes and always uses her voice to share the unique perspectives that the Lord speaks to her!
~Sydney
a woman who carries a spirit of quiet wisdom and confidence in who she is and Whose she is. She has so many hidden talents that reveal themselves almost daily, and you can usually find her playing Spikeball, digging into the Word, or spreading joy to her squadmates through her humor and infectious smile. big fan of sunflowers! she has a big heart for kids ministry and Haiti!
~Brooklyn
a woman who is hungry to discover more of the Lord’s heart each and every day! she is such an example of vulnerability & bringing glory to the Father through testimonies of what He has done/is doing in her life! a loyal friend, constant encourager, and the kind of person you want in your corner. you can usually find her running the trails or playing a game with a group of squadmates! a fun fact about her is that she always keeps a shovel in her car at home (I mean why wouldn’t she?).
~Kailey
a woman who carries the pure joy of the Lord everywhere she goes! she has a willingness to be obedient and press into the hard things that He asks her to do. passionate about quilting & gardening! she carries such a heart for worship & has been given an insane amount of musical talent. you can usually find her spending time with God at the pond, or competing in Uno for the prize of a snack from the vending machine.
~Jamie
a woman who lives out the part of the Father’s heart that is “moved with compassion“ for others. she is passionate about prayer and is a powerful intercessor. she desires to see the kind of freedom that only comes from God in the lives of others. she walks in self awareness and carries the desire to grow in the fruits of the Spirit every day. gives 10/10 hugs !!!
three months with these girls is not going to be enough, but thanks God that we have eternity after this life! they all teach me so much about the Lord’s character each and every day. I can’t emphasize enough how blessed I feel that the Lord has trusted me to lead and disciple this group of women. that I get to be their friend. they are all world changers who have a heart for bringing Kingdom, love each other deeply, and have a desire to grow in the things of the Lord.
if you have made it this far, thank you! I truly covet your prayers, and it would mean the world to me if you would keep these girls in your prayers by name as they prepare to bring the Good News to the nations in January, and for myself as I endeavor to “walk worthy of the calling” that I have been given (Ephesians 4), and point my team and my squad towards Jesus each and every day.
blessings!
-Nicole
