Squad Leading Update! (:

HEEEYYY PALS!!!

I hope you’re doing well, I hope your week has gone by faster than expected and I hope you’ve learned new things about yourself or others this week!

I just wanted to give y’all an update on my life, ya know, fill ya in on what’s going on.

For starters, I’m back at Adventures In Missions!! I arrived here three weeks ago for Leader Training, where I met my whole leadership team. The team consists of

Jodi Owens (Squad Mentor)

Eric & Melissa Stoker (Squad Elders//Coaches)

Myself (Squad Leader)

(Alumni Team Leaders)

Cole

Elina

Ellie

Katie

Sydney

Aren’t we just beautiful (‘:

This Leadership Team is STACKED y’all. Jodi is one of the most integral and honoring women I have ever met, she leads our leadership team with such humility and this is my second time leading with her. Eric and Melissa are my Spiritual Parents, I actually lived with them before I decided to Squad Lead again! These two are such loving and intentional humans, they are the reason I have a home in Georgia! This is my second time leading a Squad with them, as well! Finally, the Alumni TL’s Cole, Elina, Ellie, Katie and Sydney – Y’all they are some deeply rooted, wholehearted, devoted followers of Jesus. They love truth, they walk in it daily and they are constantly growing in the Holy Spirit. Seriously, these TL’s are so special and the Squad is extremely blessed to be lead by them. Also, they are some of the funniest humans I have EVER met in my life and I would not be able to get through my day without them!!!!

The Lord really put the dream team together, to have this many humans who are hungering and thirsting for righteousness on one team just seams too good to be true!

Like I said, the ATL’s and I have been in Gainesville for the last week. We have been deep diving into scripture, taking a serious look at our hearts and minds, walking into spiritual sharpening and refinement on a daily basis. Leadership training is nothing shy of discipleship boot camp!

Our days are long, but they begin in resting with the Lord and hearing from the holy spirit. Then we go into sessions taught by various leaders of squads and ministries affiliated with the World Race. We go over things like: Hearing the Holy Spirit, Burdens & Loads, Leading with Integrity & Humility, Understanding Levels of Leadership, Sacred Connection, Gen Z Studies, How to Debrief a Team, The Cost of Leadership, Scriptural Truth, High Affection//High Correction//Moral Authority, Triggers, Inner Healing, Leading with Truth, Self Care//Rhythms/Spiritual Disciplines//Boundaries//Vulnerability, Mental Health First Aide and so much more!! 

I believe that we are well equipped and yet, still given so much space to grow. This training has been intense because it takes a lot of internal reflection and self awareness. I’ve been reminded of how healthy this community is because of their devotion to developing well rounded, healthy, wholehearted believers. It’s a privilege to be taught by people who actively walk in what they’re preaching and teaching to so many others. 

This all took place before the Squad arrived for stateside launch on September 11th!

Now, I’ve met Gap G before but this time its the real day, that was the day living in community began! 9/11 was the day that our Gap G and I began our 9 month long journey together. So far I have been kindly received, intentionally loved, joyfully laughed with and thoroughly questioned about various topics. 

I forgot what a beautiful space this was; to be in daily community with eager learners and curious seekers of the Father. To see the next generation soak in and marvel at Christ just sets my heart on FIRE!!!!! It’s such a privilege to learn from them and lead them. I’ve been so blessed with the Squad that the Lord has entrusted me with, every human is a precious gift! They press into hard things so willingly, they’re ready to be shaped, they’re humble enough to repent and joyful enough to get up early the next morning, just to do it all over again. The Father is moving here steadily, purposely, and He’s renewing the minds of 104, seventeen to twenty year old World Racers. What a site to see. It’s glorious.  

Well, y’all, that’s the update on SQL life!! Personal life is a whole other blog, I’ll get that one out as quickly as I can!

Please be praying for us, we would really appreciate it!

Deep Love,

Mariss

P.S – hope you cackled at our pictures hehe