Exciting News...

The choir and orchestra from Johnson Ferry Baptist Church are traveling to Romania in July to put on a few concerts as well as minister to the people there (through children's ministry, local churches, etc)...and...I'm going with them!

Kaleb and I joined Johnson Ferry sometime in August, and I joined the choir sometime in September (I think). Singing in the choir has been an absolute joy for me. Mark, our music minister, mentioned the plans for a potential mission trip to Romania at rehearsal one night. I was thrilled at the idea of going but didn't think it would be possible since I am taking classes this summer. More to that later...

A bit of my testimony for background:

I grew up in church. The Church has always been my second home. I am comfortable there. I went to children’s camps and youth camps. I was in GA’s and Awana’s. I went to all the
retreats and conferences. I read tons of books and did countless bible studies. Studying scripture managed to be fun for me. My “christian resume” looked good! I met all of the requirements and had all of the knowledge. I attended all of the right events and heard all of the right speakers. Despite all of this, throughout my years as a christian I doubted my faith. I doubted my relationship with God. I worked so hard to be good but I didn’t see Him working in me like I saw Him working in others. I put so much effort into my own sanctification. I tried so hard to be a good christian. I tried to check the boxes. I tried to believe more. I tried everything there was to try, but nothing worked. Nothing satisfied me. I wanted something more out of my relationship with God but I could not figure out what it was. What was I missing? I saw God’s power in the lives of other people... but where was His power in mine? I didn’t feel very special to God and He sure wasn’t using me to do anything special for Him.

One summer in Ellenwood, GA it clicked:

God does not intend for me to die and appear before Him saying, “Here, God! Here is all of the knowledge I stored up about you. Here are all of the verses I memorized and songs I know. Here are all of the bible studies I did. Here are the gifts you gave me.” 

I believe He would then ask me: “Jordan, where are the people? Where are the people I intended for you to love, disciple, and care for? Jordan, I gave you that knowledge to share with people. I gave you those bible studies so you could know Me better and share Me with people. I gave you the gifts to make me more known among the people. Jordan, Where are My people?”

God has blessed me solely to bless. He has given me much and He expects much of me. I am to take what He gives me and pour it right back out into someone else. He taught me that if I want to experience His power I must pray and minister to His people.
Before that summer I was so self-centered. My faith was all about me. God was all about me. Life was all about me. (Of course, still working through this. Probably will be until I die.) Don't get me wrong: God IS for me. He loves me and wants me to enjoy Him but His call on my life didn't end with my salvation. It goes beyond that. He has a greater plan. I am to enjoy Him and out of the overflow I receive I GIVE! The same joy and love He has for me He has for COUNTLESS others and I am His chosen vessel to share so! I struggled so much in my relationship with God because I was neglecting one of His greatest commands: GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES. I was pouring so much into MYSELF that I was neglecting others.

Over the past month I have been even more burdened for those who don't know the love Jesus has for them and the Gospel that will turn their lives upside down... My friends, my classmates, the waiter or waitress, the lady who checks me out at the grocery store...and the people in Romania.

I could write for hours how in the past month God has set the lost in the forefront of my mind. I was content to stay here and follow His leading but He saw it fit to allow me to travel to Romania and share His love there.

However, I was still concerned about my summer classes. I emailed my summer professors and one remarkably responded, "The two days you will miss class are the two days I planned for the class to meet online. You'll be fine as long as you do the work." Seriously? Out of the entire summer semester (May-July) the exact two days I will be gone to Romania are the exact two days she had planned for the class to NOT meet in person?


So, Romania here I come!! I am so, so excited and can't wait to see what God does through our team AND the people in Romania. It'd be silly to think we are going only to impact them. I know they will have just as great of an impact on us.

If you would consider doing two things:
1. Poor Kaleb agreed wholeheartedly to my going without even first asking the cost. (Trust me, he asked quickly after.)
But there is a cost.
If you feel led to give, I welcome any donation. You can email me at jordanblackburn6@gmail.com. I have a GoFundMe account set up (click hyperlink to be taken there)! However, my accountant husband isn't so fond of the site taking 5% of whatever donation is made.  If you don't mind the fee of 5%, by all means, donate through the site. If, however, you aren't comfortable with that just send me an email and we can go from there. :)
Kaleb and I will pay whatever we don't raise. Johnson Ferry is so gracious to pay half of the actual cost. God will provide and I trust Him.
2. Whether you feel led to give or not, please pray. This trip will be pointless if we aren't plugged into our Power Source. Your prayers are absolutely vital to us. I will post specific prayer requests as they come.

I love you guys. I'm really thankful that you read these posts. :)
Please let me know if you have any questions or want any extra details. I didn't want to make the post terribly long, but I'll be sharing more in the coming days.

Jordan