Hi friends and family! You might be wondering why I’ve decided to go on the World Race. I am excited to share what the Lord is doing in my life and in my heart as He’s led me to this decision.
Here is a little bit of my story! I grew up in a Christian home with parents who faithfully follow God in all that they do. I am a Senior at Liberty University and will be graduating in 6 months! Over the past few years, God has primed my heart with a love for the nations through multiple trips to Guatemala, various courses and professors at LU, and interactions with other believers in my life who have been obedient to the Lord’s call to ‘go and make disciples’. As I’ve grown in my personal relationship with Jesus, I’ve begun to understand what abundant life in Christ looks like. It’s opposite of the world and contrary to culture. It’s selfless and obedient. It’s the abandonment of my preferences and death to my flesh. It is better than anything the world can offer. It is life to the full and breath in my lungs! It bears good fruit and makes much of Christ. It boasts in Him and advances the Kingdom of God. That’s the kind of life I want to live!
In praying about what the Lord would have me do after college graduation, He has put a passion on my heart for adventure. To be obedient whatever the cost, to go and make Christ known, to meet brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, to grow in cultural intelligence, and to seek God’s character and see Him as a global God. It blows my mind to think about how the Holy Spirit has changed my passions, desires, and character as we have been in relationship. It is a testament to His trustworthiness that He who is faithful will continue to sanctify me. Day by day He is making me new. Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of Christ—it changes everything!
So, after looking into opportunities to study abroad, work abroad, or travel Europe, the Holy Spirit brought the World Race to my mind. I researched it, prayed about it, and sought wise counsel. The Lord continued to open doors in the application process and ministered to me in the highs of excitement and lows of discouragement throughout the waiting period. After a few weeks, I was accepted to the #11n11 August 2022 Expedition Route, and it has been so evident that His hand was over the entire process. I have peace that passes understanding that this is where He is calling me.
I’ve decided to go on the World Race in obedience to the Holy Spirit. I look forward to growing in intimacy with Christ, in comfortability sharing the gospel in other cultures, and in living a life that is not my own. Recently, I have been ruminating on the truth that I am not my own, I was bought with a price, and I am to present myself as a living sacrifice to God, holy and acceptable, which is my spiritual worship. I recognize that we are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and walk with Christ. Right now, that looks like living my final year of college in a manner worthy of the gospel, and next August picking up my cross will be ministering to people across the globe. Life in Christ is adventurous and abundant and sometimes shocking, and I am thankful for confidence in the sufficiency of Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit to walk out this calling.
As I finish writing this first blog, I want to share something the Lord convicted me of and encouraged me with. Missionary work is about the sacrifice behind us, not the need in front of us. In his book My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers shares this, “A missionary is one sent by Jesus Christ as He was sent by God. The dominate note is not the needs of men, but the command of Jesus …In missionary enterprise the great danger is that God’s call is effaced by the needs of the people until human sympathy absolutely overwhelms the meaning of being sent by Jesus…When looking back on the lives of men and women of God the tendency is to say— “What wonderfully astute wisdom they had! How perfectly they understood all God wanted!” …We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the Divine guidance of God through childlike people who were foolish enough to trust God’s wisdom and the supernatural equipment of God.” I pray this blog makes much of Jesus and less of me.
Scripture Referenced: Philippians 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Galatians 6:14, Colossians 3:15, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Romans 12:1-2, Luke 9:23, Philippians 1:27
Inspiring. Lord’s work the best work
I am not sure if you got my earlier email message or not. We are so honored to be a part of your prayer team and look forward to getting your updates as you travel with world race. I worked for your grandfather Nels at the Olson funeral home in Chicago for 18 years. They were such a blessing to me and accepted me as part of their family! I hope that you received the donation we made to world race. Hopefully you got to your account. God bless you Kara as you faithfully serve him in the days ahead!
Hi Mr. Hultgren!
Thank you so much for commenting, because I didn’t see an email come through!! I am so grateful for your support. It means so much to me that you would pray for me as I follow the Lord! Thank you so much for your financial gift, it is such a blessing! I am so glad to hear that you and my grandparents became like family, and I am so excited to keep you updated as a sister in Christ! Thank you so, so much for your partnership in this mission! I will be praying for you and your family!