“You can reach a thousand people an inch deep, or a few people a mile deep.” a mentor of mine told me when preparing to lead Young Life my freshman year of college.
While in Pakistan in May, I was talking to the Lord and reading Matthew 28 and came across, ‘Go and make disciples’… a verse I’ve read many times before, but there the Lord gave me new eyes to see deeper into it.
I began to ask myself, “Have I made disciples or just believers?”
I concluded that I have indeed evangelized in the nations and taught in the nations, but I hadn’t made many ‘mile deep‘ disciples. This was quite sobering to my efforts, but a necessary realization. God‘s timing is perfect and I’ve been learning this throughout the few years of following Him. It’s a joy to hear from the Lord and to wait upon Him but I often find it very difficult to remain still to consider His timing. When I came home from Pakistan in May, I had every intention to follow the Lord‘s prompting to move back to the Arab world, but I needed to be still and submit to His pace of it all.
Before moving full-time to the middle-east, I asked the Lord to give me an opportunity to make disciples of my own nation and native language before going to a foreign one and trying to go to depths I’ve not yet achieved. So, from August 2022 until May 2023, I will be squad leading with World Race Gap Year! I will be working with a squad of approximately forty and focusing on disciplining the twelve men who are on this route!
We will be going to…CAMBODIA, THAILAND, SOUTH AFRICA, and GUATEMALA!
Back in 2020 during my first race, I was pulled from Cambodia. (blog from re-entry 2020)
I always knew when leaving then that my time there wasn’t finished and I would be back. Again, God is faithful and keeps you on your toes when you follow Him! People are waiting in all these countries to hear the sweet gospel that saves souls and sets captives free. I am stoked to come alongside my squad and help them walk deeper into the truth of who our God is and empower them to make disciples too.
(Tuk Tuk driver who accepted Jesus on the last day in Cambodia)
If we are true believers and disciples ourselves, we must be actively disciplining someone closely, guiding them to the Presence and Person of God. Discipleship is how we live after the Lord and we intentionally bring others with us into abundant life. (John 10:10)
WHO ARE YOU DISCIPLING?
MATTHEW 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
JOHN 15:
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
DUDE. I’m always encouraged and challenged by what you have to say!! Stoked for those dudes to be loved and shepherded by you this year!! See ya at training camp! 🙂
Love you!!
AWM
OMG my heart literally is jumping up and down that you get to go back to Cambodia! Can’t wait to hear about how the Lord is going to move in this next journey of yours! Always praying for you!!
Good word, Drew, and nice ‘meeting’ you! I look forward to seeing you soon, and to continuing hearing what GOD is doing in you and through you!
Always so excited to read these updates! Your skillful way with words and your eager obedience to the Lord is so evident and fruitful. These GY men are incredibly blessed to have your commitment to walk before and beside them. Can’t wait to hear all the stories to come as you both prepare for what’s to come + plant seeds in fertile soil along the way. Proud of you Drewseph.
Well said my friend!!! So proud of you and am constantly amazed at how you follow the Lord! Can’t wait to hear how God uses you on this trip!!! Love you much!!!
I enjoyed reading your post and getting a glimpse of your heart for God and I am glad you will be pouring into my son over the next 9 months!
WOW this is so good! And I am so excited for you to be leading gap year!!! I can’t wait to continue following along your journey!!