TEAM KAINOS

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland - Isaiah 43:19

“New” or “fresh” in Greek in the context of this verse and many others throughout the Bible is “Kainos.”

The six of us met at training camp October 2019. We signed up for 11 months across South Asia into Southern Africa. 

We made it to Indonesia, Malaysia, and a week in Thailand before pandemic took the sandal straps of our dream off our feet. 

With our sandals off our feet, we walked bare into the solace of quarantine and months of waiting and the unknown.

Like Moses witnessing God’s glory (The Presence) in a burning bush, we had to take off our sandals in humility before we got closer (Exodus 3). Like Moses was sent to rescue God’s people, through sacrifice and weakness and personal doubt, we are sent and can only do it through the confidence that He is with us. His mighty hand stretching out and performing wonders that lead to true Worship of the King. 

I have indeed seen the misery of my people...I have heard them crying out...I am concerned about their suffering. 
So I have come down to rescue them..I am sending you - Exodus 3

From visions of water towers as us flooding the thirsty in America to a rediscovered calling to simple obedience, God led the six of us back together (we represent 3 teams from our squad of like 30, 2 from each team) to serve here in the States where tensions and hardship crave hope, light, and love. 

Our coaches and mentor from C-squad are continuing with us on our journey. Amy (the one at the top of the 1st picture) fearlessly and confidently commissioned us onward at our training in Georgia. By van, we are on the road, stepping into lives across Indiana, Idaho, Washington, California, Colorado, etc (with masks and social distancing, but the need for volunteers is great).

The Spirit wove themes of newness, humility, harvest, and glory over our team even before we came together. And then our coach Keith had the idea to name us a word from his tattooed verse Isaiah 43:19: Kainos. 

Make no mistake amid it all, Jesus is doing something beautifully Fresh and New in this country. We were chosen to be a part of that. Just as God spoke over Lauren: the fires consumed by the wind, the Spirit, spreading to dark and distant and close places. 

Just as God spoke to Raquel, we prepare for battle but trust that the victory rests with the Lord (Proverbs 21:31). 

We hope to elicit, through unity and mutual love and balancing of giftings and willing/joyful hearts, the glory in every image bearer we encounter. He’s already began; we’ve had two encounters causing grown men to cry (here is one!). 

And we hope to be an encouragement to you, that God overcame everything on the Cross and is currently working to make everything new in us, if we will simply choose to let Him…

 Now, let’s introduce ourselves with five questions: 

1. What did you learn from going international?

2. What were your favorite past-times during quarantine?

3. In a word or phrase, what do you hope for WR America?

4. What is a Bible verse impacting you right now?

5. What is your role on team Kainos?

 

Kylie

1. The importance of living a life that’s interruptible to the Spirit and the value of Kingdom community

2. Spending time with my family at the lake, going on long walks, & getting back into drawing & painting

3. For atmospheres to be changed & for people all across this country to experience personal revelations of the Lord’s love for them

4...then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. - Romans 8:12-17

5. Beauty for Ashes coordinator

 

 

Lauren

1. How to find joy in the little things in the midst of discomfort

2. Coffee dates that created deeper friendships

3. Fresh wind & fire

4. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night... - Exodus 13:21-22

5. Sabbath facilitator

 

 

Raquel

1. I learned that all we have is all we need. Even when we don’t feel like enough, God just needs our yes and He takes care of the rest. Also you build relationships and show people you’re genuinely interested in their lives, they are more open to learn about Jesus. Love everybody, love always

2. Spending time in my garden growing vegetables, I’ve learned so much about how amazing God is working there

3. New opportunities to bring light into dark places. New passion and heart serve all kinds of people

4. Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past... - Isaiah 43:18-19

5. Treasurer

 

 

 

Kenz

1. Holy Spirit doesn’t need to be translated. Language barrier isn’t a concern when we have the same Holy Spirit within us. There were times I couldn’t understand anything being said in a church, but felt it in the depths of my soul and it resonated with my Spirit so strongly

2. Daily walks with Jesus + spending time with my household family + coming back to the way the Lord intended for the church to be

3. Community + an understanding of how to incorporate God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit in the ordinary day to day life here in America

4. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. - Genesis 50:20

5. Team leader/host coordinator

 

 

Annie

1. We are so blessed and we will never fully understand the vastness of God’s love and intentionality for each of us

2. Playing piano and going on long walks

3. Revival, renewal and rejuvenation in America. A beautiful and plentiful harvest!

4. Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! - Isaiah 30:18

5. Worship, logistics, and safety and culture coordinator

 

 

Hannah

1. Sharing the love of Jesus is a joy when it means becoming true friends and adventuring with Indonesion peers, praying over prosititutes, and learning from on fire believers in contexts where freedom of religion and speech lack. 

2. Writing, being outside, time with family

3. Life-changing encounters and community, bringing forgiveness and a new thing

4. ...You will indeed drink from my cup...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. - Matthew 20:20-18

5. Storytelling leader and helping to run the @worldraceamerica Instagram 

 

 

…And, it’s go time 🙂