Why CGA?

“So, Anna, why CGA?”  Glad you asked!  

I have the incredible opportunity to join an eight-month discipleship program in Gainesville, Georgia called the Center for Global Action (CGA), which exists to mobilize young adults coming off of The World Race. 

CGA activates and equips followers of Christ in the areas of their calling to be passionate followers of Jesus, living out their faith at home, professionally, or church-planting overseas.  Beginning with a solid foundation of sound theology, professionalism, emotional health and spiritual formation, CGA launches young adults toward active steps in their contribution to the Kingdom of God.  My emphasis will be in worship arts, taking prayerful steps to create worshipful environments and using the musical gifts God has given me.

As I considered the job options I had and the priorities the Father had put on my heart for this season, CGA had green lights, across the board.  I figured I’d let you in on a bit of my processing with our heavenly Father as I prayed about my next step. : )

Coming off of the World Race, where our team became our family, one of my priorities was to be planted in an environment that fosters close-knit community.   I’m now living in a house with three other women in CGA!  We also have a house mentor, Sandra, who has been through CGA and is now in full-time ministry in our Hispanic neighborhood (yes, Hispanic!  I get to practice my Spanish every week! Thank you, Father.

A community that values worship.  One thing that became more solidified in my heart this past year is God’s calling on my life to be a worshiper.  If I’m completely honest, I’ve put this calling on the “back burner” for the last few years.  Now, I can’t tell you how excited I am to be able to focus on worship every day!

A team that values listening to the Holy Spirit.  I’ve been practicing listening to the voice of our Father since I was a teenager, but I hunger to be even more in step with His Spirit.  Jesus clearly expressed that His followers know His voice. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).  One of the core values of Adventures in Missions is “Listening Prayer”.  Because let’s face it: who wants to have a one-sided conversation?  (If you’re curious about this concept, I’d love to talk with you more about it!)

A community that values spending time in God’s Word.  During my last few years of working with The Navigators, my appreciation for Scriptural study grew even deeper.  I wasn’t ready to let go of that.  When I interviewed for CGA, I found out that we would be diving into inductive Bible study together, and memorizing verses weekly!  How exciting!

The opportunity to receive mentoring.  I’ve had many older men and women invest intentionally in my life.  I’ll never forget how my mentors have taught me to thank Father for things yet to come, challenged me to ask real questions that reached deeper issues of my heart, and encouraged me in the opportunities for ministry that lay right inside my workplace and home.  The new perspectives and accountability I’ve shared with past mentors have transformed my life.  And each CGA participant is assigned someone to help them through the process of spiritual formation this year.  I thank God!

The opportunity to work a part-time job.  In this season of life, I don’t too many bills or a house to care for, and there are a couple jobs I’ve always wanted to try!  One of our requirements as CGA participants is to find a part-time job, both to continue our own professional development and to build relationships in the community.  Will you please pray for me as I apply for jobs: that Father would open up the right position for me for His Kingdom-purposes?  Thank you!!

All of these things were “green lights”.  But there was one “no”, and it was probably the one that was most dear to my heart: after 11 months overseas, I was ready to be near my family.  But my heavenly Father gently reminded me of Luke 9:24-25 – “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Does this mean that my family is not important to the Father?  No.  But it does mean that if my heavenly Father is asking me to leave them for this season, I have another opportunity to learn that He is my true home. 

p.s. Once I decided to say “Yes!” to CGA, a few bonuses were added into the picture:

– At the end of the program, we have the opportunity to take an international capstone missions trip in order to apply all that we’ve learned!  We don’t know where we’re headed yet, but I’m looking forward to learning more about how worship looks in another culture.

– I had to leave my family behind, but I have the opportunity to go home for the holidays!  Please pray with me for a job that will let me travel to visit my family in December.

– I really wanted a puppy, but was told that CGA housing doesn’t usually permit pets.   But as I was flying down to Georgia for the program, I found out that our house mentor has – you got it – a puppy! : )