What Happens Next?
The most popular question I’ve received since being home has been some variation of, “Okay Victoria, what are you going to do next?” At first, I didn’t have an answer to this question, but just a very general picture of the calling God has placed on my life.
You see, I have always been a unifier of people. I am incredibly passionate about bring groups of people together, uniting them for a common purpose or goal, and engaging in deep relationship with them. It was not until the World Race that God showed me that this is a spiritual gifting of mine.
I spent time with God in prayer. I asked Him to show me the ways this has popped up in my life. I was blown away to realize this is something I’ve been doing for so long and hadn’t a clue that it was part of what God wanted for me and my life.
The first memory was from middle school and my love of my Kindergarten/1st grade Sunday Schoolers. I had the opportunity to pour into their lives each and every Sunday and followed them as I got older. Fast forward to high school and this took the form of many a party I held at my house. With special help from my parents, our home was a revolving door for my high school friends and a safe place for new friends to come. We’d gather around the table for a meal and conversation, play games, or celebrate whatever holiday we could together. (Complete with matching seasonal M&Ms for every occasion, of course!)
Even still, my high school through college years were highlighted with summers at Pine Bush Bible Camp. My battle cry was for a cabin of girls that looked more like a family. It was an amazing process to watch the Lord work every summer and see a group of girls cheering for each other and fighting for each other. Into my career, this gifting showed up in my classroom. I wanted the class to feel safe, loved, and valued. And not that this was from my doing alone, but that it was something each student wanted for each other. We called our classroom our family.
Looking back on these memories made me smile. No matter what my circumstances were, I was doing the very thing God created me to do. Without even coming to full knowledge of it! And now I want to continue pursuing this more passionately and intentionally.
This is where “what’s next” comes into play.
The Lord used the World Race to dramatically change my heart, my thoughts, and my relationship with Him. I have seen the ways He uses Adventures in Missions (the parent organization to World Race) to transform lives for the Kingdom. And to put it very straightforwardly: I want in.
I want to be part of the very thing God used to change my life and do the same for other 20-somethings. I hope to lead a squad in the future in the same journey. I desire to be, in some shape or form, a staff member who invests in these lives, unifies, and leads them into deeper relationship with Christ and each other. I’m not certain as to how it will all play out or what it will exactly look like, but I know I want in.
Before I just jump in (which I totally could have done), God gave me a “Step One” of sorts. This is where I finally answer the age-old question, “What are you going to do next?” Ready?
The Center for Global Action (CGA), is Adventures’ 8-month leadership and discipleship training program. The goal of this program is to properly equip World Race alumni to follow their calling through teachings, scripture, community living, and discipleship. I have been accepted into the program and will be studying the Field Leadership track, which I believe will be a launching pad into my next journey with Adventures.
I am thrilled to be part of this apprenticeship where I will be able to be intentionally discipled and disciple others. I will be taught to steward my gifts of leadership in a Christ-like manner. I will be involved in the Adventures community as well as pouring into the local community in Gainesville, GA. I firmly believe that this decision, though it may sound crazy to some, will be so beneficial to where the Lord is taking me in this life.
So, thanks for asking about “what happens next”.
I’m thankful for the body of Christ being invested and interested in my story and how God is using me in the Kingdom. Thank you for allowing me to share! I look forward to sharing this journey with you and hearing all about yours too!
As you can see, my fundraising bar has re-started! I need to raise $8,650 to be part of the CGA program. I will be working part-time to help with the costs personally, but if you are interested in supporting me one-time or monthly, please click the “Donate!” button above. For me, CGA is not just another ‘trip’. This will be the start to my pursuit of the missions field for the next couple years (hopefully!). If you cannot support financially, I am in great need of prayer warriors too! I am supposed to raise $3,000 by Sept. 16th (however, I do get some leeway for entering the program so close to the start date). Also, feel free to follow my NEW blog at: victoriabaxter.adventurescga.org
