Ready to Fly

 I am leaving today and after waking up at 3 am to make it to the airport at 4, I am so exhausted. The past few days have been a blur with packing, traveling, and saying goodbyes. I am so excited to start this journey and feeling confident. My gear is perfect and we got it all to fit into my bags which is amazing when you think about trying to pack for 6 months. 

I love the idea of what I’m doing but the experience is still yet to come and the anticipation and questions in my head about what’s next are loud. 

I am sad to leave some people behind but I know it will be worth it because “He is able to do more than we ever ask or imagine”.  I am leaving in faith instead of fear because of how I have seen God work to make this trip possible and how he has provided. 

Think About This

 As memorial day passes and Father’s Day weekend approaches, I have been thinking a lot about the relationship between our heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus. I have been thinking about the way they would have communicated with one another through prayer while Jesus was here on earth.

 

Specifically, I have been wondering what the communication must have been like between His Death, Resurrection and The Ascension into heaven. I mean just imagine, seeing someone in person who you thought was dead for sure and is now alive. I wonder what those conversations must have been like between Jesus and ordinary people and what their faces must have looked like. Like how Jesus communicated what had just happened. I know that I don’t know the answers but I do know that prayer is effective!

 

Jesus gathered the people together before leaving and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” These words remain as true as when they were spoken then, as you are reading them now.

 

As I prepare to embark in this great commission to Mazatlan, Mexico I recognize the importance of prayer. I want to invite you all on Father’s Day to the Great Commissioning Service at Langston Baptist Church at 10:30 am. Even if you are not a member of Langston, attend a different church, or just don’t go to church; YOU ARE INVITED!

 

 Here is the address for your GPS: 763 Highway 905, Conway, SC 29526.

 

If you’re available on Saturday evening from 6 to 8 pm please consider coming to the Cornhole Fundraiser Tournament where 100% of all proceeds will go directly towards my Student Mission Fees.

 

All are welcome to attend. If you’re interested in competing in the tournament please click this link here for more information: IAM419: Cornhole Fundraiser Tournament (signupgenius.com).

Upcoming Cornhole Tournament

 Everyone is invited! All Ages are Welcome!

Are you looking for something special to do for Fathers Day? Come support a great cause

Saturday, June 19^th from 6 to 8pm.

Langston Baptist Church is hosting a Cornhole Fundraiser Tournament.

All proceeds will go towards Isaac McDowell and the Mission experience that God is calling him into in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Come meet Isaac and celebrate with us. Even if you’re not playing in the tournament, you are invited! We will have refreshments and finger foods available.

If you’re local to Conway, please consider bringing a tailgate tent and your own lawn chair. We will take care of the music J

Whether you're a cornhole pro or just want to show your support, please join on the soccer field directly behind Langston Baptist Church in Conway, SC.

GPS: 763 SC-905 Conway, SC 29526. 

$100 registration fee per team (2 people). Please click the link to register your team. IAM419: Cornhole Fundraiser Tournament (signupgenius.com)

We will play according to the American Cornhole Organization official rules. The tournament will be double elimination. The tournament will begin at 6:30pm.

You can pay for your team by check or cash at the event or pay for your registered team now. Click the link here Give Now (onrealm.org)

 

Be sure to stay tuned to social media for prizes and more information. 

Where IAM

As the time for my departure draws near, I am so excited that I will be going to Mazatlan, Mexico. Between the new sights, smells, tastes and the culture and people I am feeling more and more called each day. It has been amazing to see God behind the scenes, putting this all perfectly together.

 

At the same time, it has all been a bit overwhelming. One worry I hear the enemy whisper is, “Are you sure that God will provide enough support in time to go?” Yet, I am confident that God will see this trip through. My schedule is very busy between three jobs. I am happy to share that I just turned in my two weeks notices in today.

 

I have had many labels attached to my name. Labels like; student, athlete, server, yard worker, son, friend, brother, adventurer. With each label attached, so too came with it, new experiences and learning opportunities. I look forward to seeing how each these shape the newest label as a Missionary.  I have thoroughly enjoyed starting a blog, sending letters and preparing to depart.

 

Being a missionary has most definitely challenged me into learning new skills and understanding of sacrifice. Just imagine, I know that I don’t even know what I’m fully getting into.  Choosing to accept this new season of my life has been amazing and I am learning so much more about myself as I go.

 

I have been deeply encouraged. After I posted the blog, I was so encouraged to see the comments and support from friends that I haven’t spoken with in years. It’s encouraging to see God moving in such a way. I am very thankful for the support of friends, family, Langston Baptist church and beyond. 

Why IAM41:9?

Have you ever struggled with choosing a name? Maybe you were naming your first child, a new pet or a term paper. When coming up with a name it can be challenging to choose just one.

This is how I felt this past week trying to decide on a domain name for this blog. One thing I found helpful is that almost all the domain names I chose were already taken. I guess that’s why some call it the World Wide Web.

I chose IAM419.com because it reminds me of God’s calling in my life. IAM are my initials and 419 is a reference to Isaiah 41:9 which says, “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.’”

God chose Israel through Abraham because he wanted to, not because the people deserved it. Although God chose the Israelites to represent him to the world, they failed to do this; so God punished them and sent them into captivity.

Now all believers are God’s chosen people, and all share the responsibility of representing him to the world. One day God will bring his faithful people together. We don’t need to fear because the bible says God is with us (“I am with you”) and that God has established a relationship with us (“I am your God”). God gives us assurance of his strength, help and victory over sin and death.

Daily I am realizing more just how much God has helped me. I wanted to give some context to why this domain name was chosen. I hope that you will consider sending me financially and follow as I go. 

Give (langstonbaptist.com)

Come Follow Me

 For those of you who don’t know me, I am Isaac.

 

I graduated from the University of South Carolina  Friday May 7^th, 2021.

 

This is a big transition and many people have been asking me, what’s next? I’ve been offered a few opportunities to begin a career. The opportunity to further my education through a Master’s degree has definitely been on my mind. However; in the past couple of months, I have felt a deep calling in my heart to a different and more rewarding kind of education. After praying about this for the past couple of months, I feel the Holy Spirit leading me into the mission field.

 

Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, I have asked many of my Spiritual Mentors for insight. After much prayer, and many long hours of research, of over 100 non-profits, focused on Missions, God has made it clear.

 

I’ve been accepted to a Discipleship Training School in Mazatlan, Mexico through Youth With a Mission (YWAM). Loren Cunningham, is the founder of the international Christian missionary movement. Cunningham founded YWAM in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1960 with his wife, Darlene Cunningham, at the age of 24. Their vision statement is, “To know God and make Him known.”

 

A Discipleship Training School consists of two phases. The first is a lecture phase. It’s my understanding that this will consist primarily of lectures in a classic classroom setting. Each week, a new topic will be covered such as; The Character and Nature of God,  The Heart of God, Listening to God, Missions and much more. Guest speakers are often present and YWAM has been teaching young adults the gospel for years. This phase is four months long and costs $3500.

 

The second phase is the outreach phase. This is a two-month mission trip, in which we will take what we have learned and be given opportunities to apply it. This campus often goes to Africa or Asia for outreach. The outreach phase costs vary from $2,500 to $4,500 depending on the demands of destination. Students will not learn the destination until half way through the Lecture Phase (I look forward to sharing with you as soon as I find out).

 

So, In 7 weeks, on June 27th, 2021  I am to embark on a new journey to Mazatlan, Mexico to answer God’s calling to know him more and make him known.

 

I literally cannot go without you.

 

First, I would like your prayers. Without prayer, I have no chance of the inevitable cultural shock, homesickness and being overwhelmed anxieties of life. I’ve seen throughout my life how powerful the prayers of others are. 

 

Secondly, I would like your encouragement. I am 22 years old and graduated with honors from USC. I have made many amazing connections in Columbia, SC. This decision doesn't make a lot of worldly sense for many. Actually, many people have asked me, “Do you realize that you are about to walk away from once in a lifetime opportunities for a wealthy career and luxury"? I know I want to be wherever God is leading me and I am asking, that if you believe as well, to contact me and send some encouragement.

 

Lastly, I need funding. I am so thankful to Langston Baptist Church in Conway, SC for being my rock. I grew up in this church. I am sure that without a doubt, God is still using the people at Langston to inspire and help me to embark on this journey. Langston will be collecting all donations so that it is one less thing for me to try and keep up with. All donations are fully tax deductible.

 

I will be blogging as often as my schedule allows and dependent on availability of WIFI. I hope that you will travel with me through this blog. I hope that we can stay connected through the Contact Tab in the blog. I hope that you find encouragement in your faith that there are still young people in this world who actually care about the mystery of The Gospel.