During the spring semester of my freshman year I responded to God's calling of me into leadership with a "yes"--totally the last thing I thought I would be getting myself into in college.
Stepping into leadership was never something I would have considered if someone didn't believe in me and push me out of my (very comfortable) comfort zone. Luckily I had plenty of people doing that to me at Rider.
God had huge plans for my life and I would have never known how great they were if I didn't attend Basileia.
(See my post about it from last year)
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Taking on leadership meant I had to attend Basileia. I had to learn to be a leader and also prepare for the coming school year with the rest of my team. I wasn't sure where this opportunity was going to lead me since I was still very unsure of what I was putting on my plate in the first place. This wasn't a "no big deal" situation--this position was legit. My campus needed me.
SO. I raised enough money, packed my duffle bag with a week's worth of things, sat through a 6 hour car ride, got slightly lost, arrived late, unpacked my stuff in the (very, very nice 5 star) cabin and prayed to God that he would show me why I was stranded on top of mountain for a week.
I can't really pin point what my expectations were but all I can remember is everyone telling me I was going to have a lot of fun. At that point I wasn't sure how learning how to be a leader connected to fun at all.
To spare you a lot of detail, I learned A LOT. My brain was so full after that week and I had no idea how I was going to possibly fit anything else.
God gave me visions, God gave me words, and God gave me purpose. With every question I needed an answer to, He provided--and then some. Because of all of the amazing lessons I had to sit through and all of the people I had to listen to, I caught the vision of InterVarsity. I learned that it wasn't about spreading awareness of this organization. The goal isn't for people to know InterVarsity--the goal was for people to know Jesus. The message couldn't have been any clearer.
In a fellowship that lacked leaders, I was called to take up a responsibility. This meant communicating to the Christians at Rider how important it is that others hear the gospel before they graduate.
It takes a whole lot of courage for someone be missional in their own backyard, witnessing to their own friends and classmates. This past year doing so has been nothing but rewarding. All of the blood, sweat, and tears I've put into this mission has proven to be worth it in the long run. God is working whether we see it or not--we just have to give him room to do so.
Through it all, I've learned that God doesn't just throw anyone into anything. And that is why I have accepted leadership for the 2nd time, this coming school year. I can only imagine what more I will gain from attending Basileia for the 2nd time. But I can't get there on my own. I need your help.
In order to prepare for the up and coming school year, my leadership team and I will be attending Basileia from May 16th - 21st. We will leave the week-long training more equipped and ready to go out and evangelize to our campus and spread the love of Christ. I'll also get to grow in my own personal relationship with God in order to become a more developed leader.
Would you invest in my leadership development & spiritual formation?
Here are two ways you can:
1. Prayer.
During Basileia: for unity, transformation & clarity as we hear from God and plan for the next school year.
After Basileia: that we put what we've learned into practice and continue to seek God as we go forward!
2. Financial support: The cost of the trip is $390. Included in the costs are room & board, excellent training, and the opportunity to get away from the business of life and hear from God in community.
(For details you can contact me, Emily Kelley).
Thank you in advance for your prayers, support, and kind words through this experience.
(For details you can contact me, Emily Kelley).
Thank you in advance for your prayers, support, and kind words through this experience.
