Leadership on the race gets a little confusing, let me break it down for you & introduce you to the very best leadership team out there…
Meet Hailey! She mentors for semesters at AIM and let me just say this woman loves so dang well and leads in a way like I’ve never seen. She is a person who has welcomed us in our most vulnerable states from the very beginning all the way back in Gainesville, Georgia & she welcomes us into what the Lord is walking her through. Hailey meets us where are at and she freaking shows up to sit with us and she FIGHTS for the people she loves. Hailey comes on the field for debriefs and she has never failed to show up ready and willing to pour into us and help us process all that the race is. Her compassion and love for other people is something I have admired about her since the very beginning. Hailey is a person who you can’t help but love and laugh with. She is HUGE on remembrance and when things get hard she never fails to encourage us to remember who the Lord has been to us in life.
Gap 23’s squad leaders!
WOW, SOME REALLY FREAKING SPECIAL PEOPLE TO ME!!!!
Hannah Mitchek did 11n11 in 2020. She got sent home a few months into her race because of COVID and did World Race America afterwards. She is a person who leads out of a desire to truly know our hearts. She relentlessly chases the Lord in the most mundane of life and comes alive when talking to locals. Mitchek loves the Lord and always reminds us how powerful the Lord is and how we get to walk and partner with the Lord in all things. It’s been so encouraging to hear her passion for the Lord and to see the way she finds Him in all things.
Hannah Acevedo did Gap Year in 2018. This gal quickly became someone we all loved after celebrating her birthday with goofy skits and some toaster oven cookies back at training camp! She leads with a kind heart, a desire to know us as friends, and encourages us to pursue only the best for our lives. She is genuine and kind and perfectly balances grace with tough love. She is honest and sees the best in everyone but she isn’t afraid to call you out when you aren’t pursuing what the Lord has for you. She loves fully and leads with compassion. Hannah has walked with me through every part of the race and she has encouraged me to authentically be myself and pursue all that the Lord has for me in every moment.
Drew did Gap Year in September of 2019. It’s funny because I actually followed along on his whole race so it was a very full circle moment to now be on a squad with him as my leader. This guy freaking loves the Lord with everything in him. He leads us in a super unique way. Drew carries so much empathy and truly allows the Lord to break his heart for the things that breaks His. Drew fights for people and leads us out of a place of obedience and encourages us to follow the Lord with all that we are. He’s taught me how to intentionally see all people in the image of God and chasing after the Lord with full surrender to whatever His plans may be.
Last but not least, our coaches! The Jernigan’s 🙂 We love them, they’re basically the mom & dad of our squad. Stephen (aka Pops) loves us so dang well and he shares his experiences with us and teaches us more of how to persevere in the Lord. Terri is just the sweetest soul. She loves us all so so so well and is someone who seeks to hear our hearts in every conversation. These two have poured so well into us and have been so encouraging even at times they can’t be on the field with us, they are intentional to remind us of the Lord’s goodness.
I’ve been reflecting on the race & it just really wouldn’t have been the same without each person on our leadership team. They have encouraged us in so much and it has been such a joy to have them walking with us in this journey. I am just really honored and have felt so loved to have had these people in my corner over the past 6 months. People who fight for us hard, love us well, and are always quick to call us higher and seek the Lord in all. Gap 23 is full of a bunch of different people who chase and love the Lord with all of their hearts and I couldn’t imagine another team leading this squad. They’ve made such an impact in this race and have taught me so much about what life fully pursuing the Lord looks like.
Thankful this journey has meant so much to you. The Lord has blessed you and your team abundantly. See you soon. Much love, Nana
It has been such a joy being with you and your team!! Y’all are amazing and have blessed us so much!!! We will get to be with you in less than 24 hours – SO EXCITED!!!!!
Oh Ella this makes my mama heart so happy to read. So so thankful for all the amazing people that have been there with you loving you leading you and growing you. I have missed you so much it hurts but knowing you have had so many wonderful people on this journey with you has given me peace. I love you so much.