A couple years ago my cousin, Stephen Lehman, bought me Cultivate: Vol. 2 by the Cageless Birds. Cultivate is a collection of writings, paintings, photos, prompts, and experiences with Holy living and the presence of God. I instantly fell in love with it. Cultivate has challenged me and my spiritual walk with God in so many ways, always pushing me deeper into the Father's arms. After doing some research I found out that the same people who run the Cageless Birds also run a discipleship school called the 18-Inch Journey. The school is broken down into two parts, phase 1 and phase 2.

Phase 1 is a two-month program that is "devoted to the process of living a wholehearted and Holy Spirit-empowered life. We impart what it means to move beyond ideas about God and into truly experiencing Him in daily life. Phase I primarily focuses on discipleship, creativity and community".

Phase 2 is a six-month program that is "devoted to the development of the whole person, open exclusively to Alumni of the 18 Inch Journey. The first half of the school is a deeper dive into the rhythms and values introduced during Phase One. The second half is dedicated to servant leadership and walking out what Jesus modeled as the students are empowered to help assist in the daily, practical needs of Phase One".

I thought that sounded like an amazing opportunity, but didn't think much else of it because I was in the middle of my sophomore year at college. Fast forward a year, I was re-reading that same Cultivate book and felt God calling me to work at the discipleship camp. Again, I kind of pushed that thought aside thinking "That's probably just my own thoughts and desires and not God's". Well, a couple months later I was in chapel at school and felt God speaking to my heart saying that I belong there at that school. So this time I listened. I reached out to A Place for the Heart, which is where the school is located, and asked how I could work there. They told me that they only hire people who have gone through their program. Now that I'm graduating college this May, I will be able to attend without conflict. However, the tuition is $4,000, and just getting out of college, that is far more than I have available which leads me to this fundraiser!

Now, you may be wondering how these shirts have anything to do with the 18-Inch Journey. Well, I'm glad you asked. Sometime in-between me receiving Cultivate and being called to work at the school, God told me that He has called me to be a lighthouse. I am to act as a light for those lost at sea, guiding them back to land. Specifically for those who know where they're going but have gotten off-course and need some re-adjustment. That is where the lighthouse comes from. I have championed it as my emblem, my signet. The words "I am a lighthouse shining a lamp from the shore" is a quote from the song In the Wake of Pigs by one of my favorite bands Oh, Sleeper. On the back of the shirt is a scripture reference that reinforces my lighthouse calling.

Thank you for your support, this means a lot to me. I love and appreciate each and every one of you.

Kyle

Proceeds benefit 18 Inch Journey