[UPDATE 9/2020 – I’m still here, Parent Ministry has grown, and I still love my job.]
There’s been a common thread in a lot of what I’ve done over the last 15 years. When I led children’s ministries at church, I loved talking to parents about spiritual formation in children – raising their vision for what it can look like when children fall deeply in love with Jesus and open themselves up to the voice of the Holy Spirit. When 
youth group mission trips were doing their own training, I loved leading a small group for parents who were sending their children to Peru for a week – encouraging them to let God do something in their lives through the trip, and not just something in their child’s life. And when I spent several years doing college placement for high schoolers, I loved helping parents figure out what it looked like to let go in new ways.
These days I spend a lot of my time connecting parents of World Racers to each other and to Adventures in Missions. I’m loving it. I get to walk with them as their Racers leave to spend 11 months on the mission field, doing ministry in 11 different countries. This week, about 130 parents will come with their Racers to the launch city of Chicago and join us for a parent event that overlaps the first day of the launch. [Update 9/2020 – this was a past event and we now launch from Atlanta]
It’s a privilege to rub shoulders with this group.
Most of the parents are excited for their Racers. Some are a bit envious that the World Race didn’t exist for them 25 years ago. They recognize that they have raised sons and daughters who love the Lord and who have the capacity to change the world and bring the kingdom. But they also know that they won’t get as many details as they might like. And they might go a few weeks without hearing from them if they are in an area without good internet access. They can’t send birthday presents or just pick up the phone for a quick chat. Skype works some of the time and not others. And those parents whose Racers have already launched are discovering that it’s hard to hear that they are sick – and there’s really nothing you can do because they are on the other side of the world.
We’ve established Facebook groups for the parents of World Racers based on when their Racers leave for the Race. They post prayer requests for themselves and for their Racers. They encourage one another in a way that only another World Race parent can. They serve one another in practical ways with information on everything from banks that don’t charge international transaction fees to research on malaria med options. The first one to hear news on travel days gets the word out quickly.
And they are beginning to share their own journey. They are letting the Lord do new and deep things in their own spiritual lives and I get to hear bits and pieces of that. The theme of journey is an important one for Adventures in Missions and it’s exciting to see that happening in parents’ lives.
Although I am not a parent to World Racers, I do have adult children who are the age of many of the Racers. So I’ve learned some things about parenting adult children, about letting go, about not trying to limit their choices based on my fears. About offering them freely to the Lord – no matter where that takes them. I delight in seeing them explore new things, take on new responsibilities, learn life lessons and move into new stages in their lives.
But their growing into adulthood changes my season of life as well just as Racers leaving for the World Race can change their parents’ lives. And it’s an ideal time to reassess our own journey. With empty nests come new freedoms. I moved from Connecticut to Georgia to work for Adventures in Missions. But I believe that was just the beginning of a new season in my life, that there’s even more ministry ahead, and that at least part of it intersects with ministry to other parents.
Acts 13:36, in commenting on King David, says that he died after serving God’s purpose in his own generation. That idea – of serving God’s purpose in my own generation – fuels my desire to journey well to the end.
So – when I originally wrote this I was headed to Chicago to meet face to face many of the parents who have been blessing me daily with their support of their Racers, with the generosity of spirit already evident in their Facebook group and with their willingness to care more about the kingdom than about having their children close by.
I can’t wait to see what their journeys – and mine – will look like over the next 11 months.
I’ve been wanting to express the blessings that have come thru the WR Parents site. There is no words to discribe how God is working not only in our racers, but as a parent, I am also on my journey. Each step of the way, I check my Android cell phone or computer to see if there is anything to be prayed for,ie. sickness on the team, lost back packs, progress with their mission, etc. But when I.m not searching, God has been listening to me alot lately. And I also have the time to hear Him as I go about my day.My focus appears to be headed in a more positive direction which leads me to notice those around me who need prayer as well. Ms Betty Means has been a blessing to initiate this site for the 1st time on my July 2012 launch. Through it, parents have been a blessing to each other as we connect to needs among us. The Dawsons have encouraged & commented on the parent site also having given us updates that have prevented lost sleep at times.(only kidding)Everyone through A.I.M. WRace has been a commited group who I admire for their faithfulness at informing & supporting the whole process to reach its goal for “Mission Accomplished” results. Blessings to you all as you launch this week in Chicago, IL. Beverly Stadler
I’ve been wanting to express the blessings that have come thru the WR Parents site. There is no words to discribe how God is working not only in our racers, but as a parent, I am also on my journey. Each step of the way, I check my Android cell phone or computer to see if there is anything to be prayed for,ie. sickness on the team, lost back packs, progress with their mission, etc. But when I.m not searching, God has been listening to me alot lately. And I also have the time to hear Him as I go about my day.My focus appears to be headed in a more positive direction which leads me to notice those around me who need prayer as well. Ms Betty Means has been a blessing to initiate this site for the 1st time on my July 2012 launch. Through it, parents have been a blessing to each other as we connect to needs among us. The Dawsons have encouraged & commented on the parent site also having given us updates that have prevented lost sleep at times.(only kidding)Everyone through A.I.M. WRace has been a commited group who I admire for their faithfulness at informing & supporting the whole process to reach its goal for “Mission Accomplished” results. Blessings to you all as you launch this week in Chicago, IL. Beverly Stadler
God’s speed Betty, sounds like an exciting time!
Betty, Wonderfully written and full of truth…Thank-you so very much for your words of encouragement to all of us. Sonja and I marvel at the dynamics of reaching all the parents with the multimedia tools that are available and the Blessing that God gives us as parents by reading the Racer’s Blogs and feeling the emotions of their experience. The Lord truly has Blessed not only us, but the lives our children touch through the love of the Holy Spirit. God Bless and Safe Travels…
Thanks so much for all you do! Many prayers for Chicago!
You are doing such great work for the Kingdom! Blessings on your time in Chicago.
Have fun in Chicago!
Thank you, Betty, for helping us to grow while our children are. We’ve been on the field for years and know what it’s like to go minister overseas, but It’s different being on the other side while our son goes follows God’s calling in his life. I don’t feel like I’m doing this very well as a parent, so I appreciate your encouragement and support.
Karen – I suspect you are doing better than you feel like you are. Having been on the “going” side probably gives you a unique perspective. Parenting adult children – whether or not they do the World Race – certainly has its own learning curve. I don’t think it is uncommon to feel some sense of “loss” of one stage even if you are excited about the new stages you are entering.
Betty, a million thank you’s wouldn’t come close to expressing the gratitude I feel for all of your love, care, time, and patience! You are a wonderful part of the World Race experience for us parents, and we love you. Thanks again.
Anne – Thank you. This made my day! I love what I get to do.
Betty, you were such a blessing at Launch in Atlanta a few short weeks ago. Thank you for all that you do: the praying, preparing, organizing and connecting us all. Thanks for being willing and obedient to the Lord and challenging us parents to do the same, as our racers are journeying. God bless you this day, in refreshing and encouraging ways. He is faithful!
Thank you Jamie. This is such an encouragement to me.
Thank you!! You are well equipped and a great resource for us all!!