the world race documentary project | how i caught the vision.

So you’ve heard that my World Race team is part of a documentary project, right?

I haven’t said too much about it yet, so if you were out of the loop, don’t feel too bad!

Here’s the recap: in June, all September-Racers received an email saying that a long-time dream had suddenly fallen into place: World Race founder, Seth Barnes, had been dreaming about capturing what God is doing through the Race on camera and sharing it with the world. At the same time, a husband and wife named Tim and Maureen Gray had been moved by the change they saw in their two daughters when they returned from their World Race journey. Tim and Maureen own a company called Gray Media, and since their daughters came home, they had been dreaming about capturing what God is doing through the Race on camera and sharing it with the world .

Funny how God did that. 

Finally, these two dreams converged. The email we received said, if you have a background in “media, journalism, or video production,” you might consider switching squads to be a part of the project.

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner.

I was hesitant, but I felt a pull and said yes.

My thoughts were that I could be around the project. I could learn from the pros. Maybe contribute some footage occasionally. See what it looked like to make a documentary from the outside.

Turns out, God had a different plan entirely.

A week before departure our squad showed up for an event called Launch. Here, we met with the documentary crew and found out some new information: not only were we going to be a part of a documentary, but part of making a documentary—we were going to be the story and we were going to tell the stories. 

We went through an intensive 3-day storytelling seminar, and at the end of it, each of the eight teams was assigned a Field Producer. Essentially, someone to oversee storytelling on the ground—identifying and chasing stories, conducting interviews, capturing and logging footage, managing the camera equipment, and acting as a liaison between our team and the documentary crew. This person would work with their teammates to tell the stories of what God would do in us, through us, and around us, on the 11-month journey ahead.

At the end of the week, I was asked to be the Field Producer for my team.

I gave a hesitant yes and took the camera bag, heavily in my hands.

Honestly, it seemed too perfect. If I made a list of things I’m passionate about it would include: Jesus, missions, traveling, hearing people’s stories and telling those stories through writing and through video.

How was it possible for this to be handed over to me so simply?

I was wrestling with the role for one main reason.

For me, going on the Race represented giving up a chance to advance myself. It was a year to spend seeking the Lord and seeing what life as a missionary really looks like. It wasn’t a career path. It wasn’t something to put on a resume. It wasn’t something to advance my education or skill set.

Our first weekend in Guatemala one of our squad leaders spoke a truth into me that began to change my entire heart on the matter.

“I believe God created us in His own image,” he said. “And in that, He gave us pieces of himself.” Things that delight the Lord’s heart, delight ours. Things God likes to do, we like to do. Everyone is different. For some people, God’s heart comes out when they play music. For others, when they run. For others, when they become parents. For others when they paint. And for me, I realized, it comes out in telling stories. God loves knowing people’s stories, and so do I.

“Maybe,” he said, “these two things for you—your passions, and your calling to the Race–never had to be separate. In your desire to deny yourself and chase after Jesus, God has combined all of the things you’re passionate about. It seems like God wants you to use the skills He’s given you to bring Him glory, and now He’s handing you a chance to do just that.”

How cool is God? 

This year, my squad, my team, and all eight Field Producers, along with Gray Media, get to help tell people’s stories. Through words on these blogs, and now through video, I get to help capture what God is doing all over the nations and share it with the world. I cannot express how much I love the people God has called to this project. I wish you could all know them personally the way our squad does. They are not outsiders looking in on our Race, they are truly on this Race with us. Tim and Maureen Gray, and their daughter Liv, are behind producing and directing. And Steve Rokks and Trey Hill are the cinematographer duo, capturing everything behind the camera.

It has been a gift to be poured into and mentored by them. I often have the image of apprentices, learning from the master.

I can officially say I have caught the vision behind this project. It’s a chance to show the world what being a Christian really means: not having it all together, not following a list of rules, but being in love with the God who rescued you, and doing whatever it takes to follow him, with all of our messiness, our brokenness and all. It’s a story about “a group of 20-somethings who have been radically transformed by a God who loves them, and who want to take that love into the world.”

Who knows what the end result will be, but I feel God moving in this project. I’m honored, humbled and joyful that I get to be a part, or as Trey Hill might say (as he expertly quotes Donald Miller), I’m thankful that we get to be a tree, in a story about a forest.

Until next time,

K

P.S. If you’re praying for me out here on the Race will you continuously keep this project in your prayers? We cannot do this with out the Lord, his guidance and his help. Will you pray for:

–       Gray Media & those closely working alongside them: Tim, Maureen, Olivia, Seth, Kelly, Trey, Rokks and the staff at Adventures. That God would give them the vision, the strength, diligence and resources they need.

–       For the eight field producers on our squad: for eyes to see what stories to capture; for clarity and conviction on when to pick the camera up—and when to set it down; for protection as we carry expensive gear on travel days, on public transportation, and around foreign places we aren’t comfortable in; to be caught up in the LORD’s dream for whatever this is; for strength to do this when it feels overwhelming.

–       For our squad: to be vulnerable and real with one another, to remove facades and be committed to sharing with the world that our God is a God who embraces our weakness, our messiness and our brokenness.

–       For the pieces to fall into place.

“For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” – Acts 5: 38b-39