Two years ago I began my discipleship journey of following Christ for myself. It is by the power of his transforming love that I have been awakened to the reality of his Kingdom. It is a Kingdom run on the currency of love. Love became the baseline of my life and now I am driven by love of Christ; the hope of glory, hidden in each person. My desire is to be someone who points each student to the depth of who Christ is within them. We as staff create space for his love to come in and unveil who we have been created to be. We have been created in the image of Christ. Through the searching of ourselves we being to understand what it means to be created in his image. The truth of who Christ is becomes real as we realize the more we know ourselves, the more we know Christ. We are designed, created, and powered by his love. We are little Christ’s all over the world, and we have a unique opportunity to join with him as he brings his kingdom now.
I was once asked if I would prefer conflict or transition. My answer was, “conflict.” It’s crazy to think that transitioning is something that is so common in our Christian life, and yet it’s so difficult to adapt to. Jesus lived a life of transition where he was constantly on the move. The disciples and the apostles also lived this way. Going from place to place with one mission in mind: to speak of the kingdom of God and how it’s a kingdom that’s here and now, and that God is a Father who loves you. Gap year is able to send you on a journey in your own country so students can learn how to influence their world that they’re familiar with. We give the unique opportunity to journey and experience transition in a place that is already home to students. We give them a Kingdom perspective in their own space of influence.
Here at Denver Gap Year, we desire to be a sending place for students to launch from. We exist to be an awakening experience that leads students into a deeper love of Christ. By creating an atmosphere of love, we encourage and empower students to go after all Christ has for them in their life and own Christ for themselves. Living in community is such an essential part of this because it gives students a chance to live out what 1 John 4:20 says.
“ How can you say you love God who you can’t see, if you can’t love your brother who you do see.”
By living together and cultivating love, they will experience what Jesus meant by becoming a disciple by the way we love one another.
Becoming who we are in Christ is something that is a life long process. We’ve been given a time such as this to be the image bearers of Christ and his love on earth and we take joy, and gladness in walking alongside our students as we all embark on this journey together.
With Love,
Alisha