World Race coaches are a different breed. We're empty nesters who, having reared our own children, apparently loved it so much that we've come back for seconds. Truth is, we care deeply about raising up the next generation and we do crazy things to back up the commitment.

So Karen and I are coaching our fourth World Race squad. We flew three jets to Hyderabad, India, where we're rendezvousing with the T-squad. 44 racers have given up everything for a year to minister to the poor in 11 countries as they go around the world.

Their leaders are Noe Rivera and Hollis Johnson. We have high hopes for them and for the squad their leading. In a recent blog, Noe shares his passion to follow God and touch the world:

"I'm stirred again. Stirred enough that even though my life is great, a future here in America is great, to whisper back to God... "I love you. I love you, so use me. Take me wherever. More than anything, and above all, I choose you. I'll die for you. I love, You!"

 

Missionary work today, in this generation, looks different. I am the new different. And the 43 other young adults I will be with, we are different. We are on fire for God, and nothing will stop us. We will look at the conditions of our world and we will not be silent. We will rise up, we will raise our voices, and we will declare to the nations that the victory has been won, that Jesus is alive, and that they matter, their condition matters, their heart matters, and that we will fight the devil with everything we have to declare boldly God as king and lover of this world. Amen?! Well to this I shout in my heart.....AMEN!"

Who wouldn't want to raise young men and women like this? Karen and I find such life in pouring into them. It's a privilege to watch them be tested in the world's slums and muddy backstreets. It's incredible to watch them grab onto the kind of passion that Noe exudes.