The World Race is a ministry of Adventures in Missions (AIM), which was founded with the goal to share the gospel and to lead those who love God into deeper relationship with Him through strong discipleship. I love that about AIM because not only am I going out to the nations to reach the unreached, but this trip is also leading me into a deeper relationship with Jesus as I am being discipled. A disciple is a dedicated follower of Christ who leads others to do the same, and I recently realized that believing in Jesus does not always mean you’re following Him. As I was pondering this, an image popped into my head of me talking to Jesus while He was walking. The problem was that I was sitting, so eventually He walked right out of sight. The good news is that God can go before me and behind me and be within me all at the same time, so He never really left me. The bad news is that I’m not omnipotent or omnipresent like Him. For me to be closer to Jesus, I need to get up and start moving because He always is. Through this journey so far, I have realized when your faith is struggling, sometimes you need to get up and do something that requires a little faith.
The World Race is an 11-month mission trip that journeys to over 70 countries. My specific route will be along the Pacific Rim, so I will be serving in South America and Southeast Asia. The countries include Ecuador, Nicaragua, Thailand and Cambodia. We may also journey into some of the surrounding countries depending on the need of the ministry. Adventures has partners in each country, so we will come alongside them to have long-term impacts through this short-term trip. We will get to teach kids how to pray, adults how to preach and church’s how to plant. We want everyone we reach to be able to have a relationship with Jesus that does not rely on our presence, so they will continue to pray, to worship, to pursue Jesus and to preach the Gospel years after we leave. In my earlier post, I talked about a pull for ‘more.’ God has given me something beautiful, and this gift has the power to lead others towards salvation: a testimony of my salvation and the Gospel. Through this journey so far, I have realized the gifts God has given me are not always just for me. He is calling me to live for ‘more’ than myself.
The World Race is, in fact, a short-term mission trip, but we get to partner with long-term organizations. For example, Thailand, a.k.a “The Land of Smiles,” has an incredibly dark reputation of sex trafficking. On top of that, 90% of the population is unreached with the Gospel. We will come alongside organizations that are helping rescue and restore those caught in the sex trade industry. Plus, we get the opportunity to train and encourage local believers to share the Gospel. Many of the people of Cambodia are plagued with a spirit of fear after a devastating genocide wiped out an entire generation (a fourth of the population) about 40 years ago with these motives: state atheism and anti-intellectualism. Naturally, many people are afraid to believe in God (or any religion) and to become wealthy or successful because several of their family members were killed for those reasons. They need the hope and salvation of Jesus more than anything, and our task is large as 98% of the population is unreached with the Gospel. In Ecuador, we will be partnering with Inca Link to reach the 300 million youth in Latin America with Christ’s irresistible love. Half of the youth in Ecuador do not have access to sanitation, health care facilities, or potable water. We will come alongside Casablanca to disciple and mobilize the youth as well as serve the children with disabilities and those who live on the streets. Lastly, Nicaragua, the poorest country in Central America in which the majority of people make less than $2 a day, is plagued by hopelessness, addiction, destitution and poverty. One in four Nicaraguans is either starving or suffering from malnutrition. Our ministry partner in this country, REAP Granada, believes in transformation through relationship. Not only will we be engaging in feeding programs, prison ministry and community development, but we will also be transforming lives through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through this journey so far, I have learned that God loves relationships with us and us with each other. The first step to having a meaningful impact on someone is getting to know them.
All of these wonderful tasks that I will complete with God’s guidance and strength, I will be doing in the stead of all those who partner with me. If you partner with me, you are a part of the reason why I am able to go on this journey that God is calling me on. When I’m teaching children how to pray, building homes, interceding for those trapped in sex trade, or planting churches, you are playing a part in all of it. That’s what it means for you to partner with me and this incredible ministry. I ask that you take the next couple of days to pray about whether or not God is leading you to partner with me and whether it be prayerfully, financially or both. Through this journey so far, I have learned that God’s sovereignty reigns over every little detail of my life. He led me to write this post, and He led you to read it.
If you decide you want to give financially, hit that orange donate button, or you can Venmo me at @zacrj
If you want to talk more about the trip, shoot me a text at 678-628-4951, and I will be happy to answer all of your questions!
Zachary, this is beautifully written. I feel your passion and look forward to following your journey. We will be donating towards your mission as well as keeping positive thoughts for the your well-being and for all those you touch.
Zach
I am familiar with the World race as I know a young man who did this several years ago. I am thrilled to hear that you are taking on this challenge to grow in your faith and bring the gospel to places around the world. What an awesome opportunity. We are definitely going to support your efforts for your development and reaching the lost around the world.
Thank you so much! Your words have always been very affirming for me. I’m excited that you will be coming along with me on this journey, and I appreciate your support beyond what words can say!