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Parents on the World Race

I just returned from Thailand and a parent vision trip. Multi-generational ministry has been on my heart for years, and I'm excited to finally see it happening on the Race. The best part is that not only are parents and Racers going to the nations together, but we've seen amazing relat…
By Seth Barnes
By Seth Barnes

I just returned from Thailand and a parent vision trip.

Multi-generational ministry has been on my heart for years, and I'm excited to finally see it happening on the Race. The best part is that not only are parents and Racers going to the nations together, but we've seen amazing relational healing this week in Thailand and Kenya.

The story a Racer shared with me before we left illustrates the kind of thing that happened:

A World Race alum's story

My parents divorced when I was four. Growing up, I was shuffled between houses, lives, and eventually families. I would typically see my real Dad every other weekend. I didn't have a single, solid, male influence in my life. I only knew failure.

While participating in the World Race, the Lord began revealing a lot of things to me. Some good, some bad, and some just outright painful. The Race provided a time and place for the Lord to bring up everything I had tried so hard to ignore.

I had spent years blaming my Dad and Stepdad for their lack of affection. Until recently, I even struggled with recognizing God as a loving, compassionate, caring Father. Now, looking back, I realize they only knew to love how they had been loved.

I was scared out of my ever-loving mind.

"God loves me?! He is proud of me?! No way. God's up there in Heaven on his throne pissed off at me. If my Dad and Stepdad didn't make me feel loved, why would God?"

And then I talked to my Dad.

A few nights ago, after supper, my Dad and I sat down. I opened my mouth, nd my heart. And in that moment everything settled. There was nothing but love, forgiveness, and freedom in that room.

Three hours later, God's presence was so thick it was almost tangible. I confessed, Dad confessed. And we both began to have a deeper understanding of God's love.

The impact in Thailand

In Thailand, we saw stories like that happen. It was awesome. Grown men cried and apologized to their Racers, and they invited us to witness their apologies and reconciliation.

The week was like that. It's so amazing that we set out to do intergenerational ministry to the nations, and then to  watch  intergenerational ministry happen in families. My coworker Glenn Steers and I were so moved by what we experienced.

In Kenya, the parent vision trip was similar. As Aubree Richardson reports: "Parents have cried because of the poverty they've seen here. They've rejoiced over the physical healings they saw. They've stood on chairs and declared God's greatness over this nation and us. They've felt what it's like to live in our community and to worship freely."

I'm excited to see other squads have the same opportunity.

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