I just returned home after spending a week in
Palenque
,
Mexico
with the first of three World Race teams to launch in 2007.
  The second team will launch in June and the third in September.
  Last year we had one trip and 27 racers go around the world in 11 months doing ministry.
  This year we’ll have 3 groups and about 150 participants.
  I think we’re on to

something.
  Take a good look at the picture of the team.
  You’re looking at world-changers.
  I would encourage you to keep up with them as they blog during the course of this year.
  They’ll be traveling around the world for the next 11 months doing church planting and other types of ministry.
  You can check them out at
www.theworldrace.org.
  You can also link to their blogs and see video.
 
It will be edifying.  

Why would a high caliber college graduate with a bright future, walk away to spend a year pouring themselves out on behalf of others?
  It flies in the face of convention.
  It defies the logic of our culture.
  Some may come for the adventure.
  After all a trip around the world is a once in a lifetime kind of thing.
  For those that come with that attitude we disavow them of the notion that the World Race is nothing more than a trans-global backpacking tour, a hip way to spend a year.
  If I could boil the purpose of the World Race down to one statement I’d describe it as a mission to establish the
Kingdom
of
God
.
  That Kingdom is going to be established this year in the places they go, the people they meet, and in themselves.

I had the privilege of spending a week with this team and they get it.
  I’ve never been around a group of people with such a Kingdom mindset.
  As of last Monday they have launched out in the southern Mexican state of
Chiapas
.
  To say they are ready to go is a bit of an understatement.
  During the week I was there, they were already doing ministry in
Palenque
and seeing God establish His Kingdom.
  One evening one the Racers named Jake, shared with the group how he and a team member had ministered to a particular gentleman.
  He shared how the Lord went before them and facilitated the ministry.
  He was tremendously excited.
  He reminded me of the account of the 70 in Luke 10 who returned from their ministry “…with joy....”.
  Jake was full of joy.
  I saw him living the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.
  Here’s something interesting; the abundant life Jesus promised is lived as we play our role in establishing the Kingdom.
  Jesus came declaring the Kingdom.
  Through our inclusion in His death and resurrection He lives in us.
  Shouldn’t our lives be about establishing the Kingdom as well?

Do you want to live the abundant life?
  It’s got to be Kingdom all the way, baby!