“The Newbie”

As the newest member of the Writer’s Team, I’ve had my fair share of this is terrifying, can I go home now please moments. Working alongside the literary juggernauts of Erik Segalini and Becky Hill only exacerbate these feelings. Thankfully, these emotions come from my own insecurities and are in no way a reflection of how I’ve been received by the other writers. In fact, working alongside Erik, Becky, Hayley, Rich, Katie, and Jan has been one of the most welcoming atmospheres I’ve ever been a part of.

There are so many highlights/events since being a member of the team that its hard to pick one particularly that captures the seemingly-fluid transition.  Maybe it was when I received my official Missionary Journalist coffee mug, or perhaps when I suffered my first office prank at the hands of the quiet storm that is Hayley Newsom. But if I were to be honest, I would have to say the most exciting highlight so far was our Pizza Lunch.

The Pizza Lunch is a time where all of us who work on the magazine get together and review the previous publication over a delicious smorgasbord of pizza . Discussion ranges from layout design to journalistic quality, but the time itself was incredibly sharpening. I’m a huge fan of the art of journalism, and to be around such professionals while engaging with them is an amazing blessing. I found myself not intimidated, but incredibly grateful.

As a recent college grad, I’m a long way away from the expertise and experience offered by our team, but I felt the freedom to speak openly and contribute during our Pizza Lunch. It wasn’t because I had anything terrific to add, it was because the people here have established an atmosphere of acceptance and opportunity.

I’m so excited to continue this journey with everyone here. I hope that our work and how we do it is encouraging to you, and glorifying to our most Holy God.

-Jonathan Moynihan

New Staff Tours

Today was an exciting day at Worldwide Challenge headquarters as new Campus Crusade for Christ staff-members came by to take a tour.  Apart from telling them about the magazine, and showing our brand new video (which we’re excited to show-off to everyone when our new Web site launches March 1st), we also led them in some intense games of Pictionary.

Here’s a sample of some of today’s artwork:

I remember it had to do with theology, and that it was entirely too complicated for Pictionary

It started as Chic-fil-a, then naturally morphed into dragons attacking a medieval village

Picture Day!

The team is dressed up extra-fancy today and everyone is practicing their best smiles… Why?  Because it’s picture day!

That’s right, reminiscent of elementary school, the whole Worldwide Challenge team is getting some brand-new photos taken for our brand-new “About Us” section that will appear on our brand-new Web site (launching in March).  We’re very excited for you to see our new site, and [most of us] are very excited for you to see our photos.  For the time being, here’s a little preview of Erik’s moment in the spotlight:

Joining the Story

(This excerpt is from Writer Jess Fong in reference to her upcoming story “Mr. Fix It” which will appear in the  March/April issue of Worldwide Challenge)

I needed to get to know Keith Davy’s team while working on a story about his ministry at our headquarters.  His team not only convenes for weekly work meetings, but also for group devotions. Although I wasn’t one of them, their obvious warmth was a sweet bonus to my work.  So welcoming in fact, that they halted all other meetings in the mall of headquarters when they insisted on singing to me on my birthday.

First Things First

(This blog excerpt was taken from Jess Fong’s latest prayer letter)

Hi Family!

I am currently in Boston, storing up on cold weather before heading back to Florida for two months. I am volunteering with several of Campus Crusade’s ministries based here and completing the final draft for my last travel assignment to Montana (where I saw my first snow for the season!).  The story is about a Native American ministry called Nations, through the eyes of Nicholas Ross-Dick, a member of the Yakama Nation.

I spent three days following Nick around.  Eating in the student center, talking to his friends, and listening as he led Bible study; I tried to get just glimmers of what it means to be a Native American Christian college student, a rare demographic.

The second day I worked with Nick, we attended Native American Literature class and walked around campus. It wasn’t until late afternoon that he casually mentioned he was missing a meeting with the university president. As a leader of the American Indian Council on campus, he had been asked to speak on behalf of the Native American students. He was playing hooky because he had already agreed to meet me.

In most Native American cultures, the concept of time is based on priorities, not the clock. Often Native Americans will run late because they were attending to something more important, and will stay late until they feel the task is finished well. To Nick, speaking with me to have this story written about God’s ministry was the heavier priority. But to me, because of the power I had placed on the title of “University President,” I thought he was making a bad call. In the end, we both went to the meeting late.

As I think about Nick, I realize his prioritizing is better than mine- I give weight to things I think are important, but often aren’t, like neglecting morning devotions for breakfast/sleep/e-mail.  The holiday season often puts my priorities askew. I forget to place first what God knows is important.

As we enter into the New Year, I pray that we would all be able to live life according to God’s priorities, and never our own.

(Look for Jess’ story about Nicholas Ross-Dick and Nations Ministry to appear in the May/June issue of Worldwide Challenge.)