As I've mentioned, this past December at Todd White's Power & Love conference Andy Byrd of YWAM Kona spoke of the circuit riders of old as well as YWAM Kona's Fire & Fragrance Discipleship Training School ending with a request, a call to go into all nations.
I heard myself say yes. A new desire rose up in my heart for missions and the nations, one that had not existed prior. I was extremely blessed by my career and was purposed to be a blessing to others through giving, the gift of giving. I had such joy giving and pursuing excellence as an analyst. Going home from the conference I prayed for a man with a hurt shoulder in the mall and in response he asked me, "Do you know what YWAM is? You should go." This confirmation was a fun addition to a decision I had made to apply to YWAM Kona's Fire & Fragrance in Hawaii.
I was accepted not too many days after and started selectively sharing my plans with those close in heart and diligently saving portions of paychecks to fund a lengthy missionary lifestyle. Five months later in May, I responded "let me know how I can help from afar" to an Instagram post by the Circuit Riders requesting accounting assistance. That simple response became an invitation to join the CR Experience in Huntington Beach, California for 9 months and continue on serving as a pivotal financial expert to the Circuit Riders.
As I prayed and asked the Lord I heard Him share two specific things. One of which was cheeky, the Lord often speaks in your personality. I heard Him ask, "Jenna, what is your word for the year?" I'm only in year two of having a word for the year, I highly encourage having a word to mark the year. My friend Ellie and I created "Meatballs and Dreams". Each New Years Eve we set goals, write dreams bigger than ourselves, and receive vision for the year. Without goals, planning, and action much of what the Father has for us goes unrealized, the Kingdom is like a manager that handled his accounts well. I responded, "Lord, my word for the year is love." And in response, "Yes Jenna, Carry the Love".
When I had heard that specific word over the year I was confident. Yes Lord yes. It was fun to be confident. My word is love. Granted, it was pure in heart, there was an underlying understanding that it was no longer seeking love from others, no longer being an orphan craving belonging but by being completely renewed in my mind I overwhelmingly knew I was loved by God in knowledge, understanding, and experience. That love would no longer be something I needed from others but because I had received the fullness from Christ and it was made manifest through the Holy Spirit that I was to give love to everyone around me, a river of living water without end. Don't think I didn't entertain the this will definitely be the year I meet the one I get to love. That thought passed, but the subtle yet striking difference in that it no longer consumes me. Instead, love is a kind-hearted promise from the Lord that I will be one flesh with my husband.
Carry the Love is the American college campus tour that the Circuit Riders plan, ride, and see through during the spring semester. Teams of ten Circuit Riders are chosen filling slots for worship leaders, drummers, guitarists, preachers, teachers, and disciplers to create an effective group to share the gospel on campus through evangelizing and worship events. For five months our team spends time on each campus building relationship, hosting explosive worship events, and encouraging current campus leaders. The regions and stop times are yet to be determined.
I can't think of a better answer to the word love. I truly get to carry it to the american college youth. Praise God.