Have you ever started a project, got the majority if it done, like ¾ of the way done, decide you hate it, and completely start over? Yeah, I did that with college. It was my junior year, spring semester when I decided that this path that I was on just wasn’t for me. I was full of anxiety, fear, and I was uncertain about everything I had been doing the past 3 years. I felt completely defeated and discouraged in life. That’s when my parents suggested I look at Liberty University. They have told me for the longest time that they knew I was going to go into ministry, specifically youth ministry. I thought they were crazy, and I told them never wanted to go into ministry. So, after my first semester in nursing school at Liberty, I called them and said I’m changing my major to Youth Ministry.
Transferring my senior year and having to start college over probably looked crazy and didn’t make a lot of sense to many people, but God’s plan usually doesn’t make sense to us because we can’t see the bigger purpose.
Now, graduation is in sight, which brought all new fears of my future. I prayed for clarity of my future and I kept being reminded of Proverbs 31:25 over and over that says,
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future”
I have continued to pray this verse over myself. To become a woman clothed with strength that is not my own but only comes from the Lord, to be completely confident that my worth is found in the one who paid it all and not in what I do or what has been done to me, and to laugh in the face of fear because I know that my God has already defeated him.
I’ve never been one to shy away from an adventure. So, when I heard God calling me to the biggest adventure I have ever taken, how could I say no? The World Race is an 11-month mission trip to 11 countries. I had known about it for years and always wanted to go but never felt like the time was right. As I looked at the trips, I felt like God was physically pushing me. I thought it was weird and that it was all in my head until I read Matthew 9:37-38
“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest”
I’ve heard this verse a hundred times but this time it stirred something in me. I looked to Charles Spurgeon for some help and this is what I found (in reference to the expression ‘send out workers’),
“Now the Greek is much more forcible, it is that he would push them forward, and thrust them out; it is the same word which is used for the expulsion of a devil from a man possessed. It takes great power to drive a devil out, it will need equal power from God to drive a minister out to his work.”
So, I applied the next day and now I am being sent out on another adventure, this August, that probably looks crazy and doesn’t make a lot sense to many people, but I know God’s plan is greater than any of mine.
I would love to talk to you more about this trip and what God has been doing. Feel free to reach out anytime! You can also subscribe to my blog to keep up with me as I prepare for my trip and while I am out on the mission field. It is my prayer that you will pray for myself and my team as we answer the call to go and spread the Gospel around the world, and to also consider joining me in my mission through financial support.
Talk to you soon!
Anna-Stewart Faircloth
So proud of you Stewie! You are amazing and I’m so thankful to know your heart. Best adventure ever!!!
Absolutely amazing! I’m literally in tears reading this! You are a very special person. “Many are called, but few are chosen” I think it’s in Matthew. I’m looking forward to reading your blog and hear about your progress on your mission trip.
SO excited and proud of you!!! I’ve always admired your heart for serving others and the fire you have for the Lord and sharing the Good News. So excited for this journey!!! I love you!
I had a friend who did the World Race (it was actually the shortened one that focuses on just one country) back when I had just started in the youth ministry. I supported him and kept up with his journey and was super impressed with the experience he had. So when our youth group started talking about our first mission trip and where we might go I looked to adventures in missions for possibilities. That is how I found that weekend trip we took to Tennessee, the very first mission trip our group went on. Do you remember that? Do you remember how that changed everything for our group? Isn’t it amazing how God works? Because now you’re going through that same organization on this amazing adventure and I couldn’t be more proud of you!
Thankful to know you and be your friend! Love you so much!
Thank you so much Glenda! Thankful for all our trips to the DR together. They had a huge impact on my life and you did too!
You are the BEST! Love you so much bestie girl. Thankful to be your friend and to always have your support.
NO WAY! How cool! That was the best trip ever and changed everything! I can’t thank you enough for your constant guidance and support. Best youth leader (and friend) ever! Love you so much!
What an amazing experience this will be! So proud of you for the way you are stepping out in faith so boldly! We’re looking forward to following your journey and hearing all about it, Anna Stewart. I know God is up to something incredible!
Hey Anna,
I love this post and I love that you will be joining us on the World Race Global South Trip! I’m looking forward to meeting you.
Savanna
Thank you so much!! You guys are the best!
Thank you so much! So excited to meet you and go on this adventure together!
You amaze me. So kind and always lifting people up. Always thinking of others??
So thankful you responded to the ‘push’ and joined this Squad! I’m excited for all God is going to do in and through you!