Visit Wanderlust Outfitters website at: https://wanderlustoutfitters.com/
Has God ever brought someone into your life through crazy circumstances, to the point that you knew, without a doubt, that it was divinely inspired?
RJ, Kayla, Brittney, & Jonathan after a day of shopping and packing lessons.
That’s what it felt like for Kayla and I when we were first introduced to Jonathan and Brittney Meier.
A mutual friend of ours came into my office in Indianapolis in February of 2017 to ask me about the World Race. He asked, “what is your biggest fear right now?” and for some reason, in that specific moment, my superficial answer was “backpacking gear”. Knowing what I know now, my fears were much more deeply rooted than that, but on the surface I was being truthful. I knew nothing about backpacking/hiking/outdoor gear. I told my friend, “All I have is this Hydroflask water bottle and I don’t even know if it’s actually any good.”
The Lord used that answer to remind my friend that he was on a conference call only days before with someone who is a backpacking gear expert! Not only that, but at the end of the call, this expert told the other christian business leaders on the call that if they knew of anyone in need of help, let him know!
A week later I was in Charlotte, NC when I received my first phone call from a guy named Jonathan. He shared how he and his wife (Brittney) had only months earlier started a company called Wanderlust Outfitters to help people get out and experience more of God’s creation. I shared briefly about our needs (or what I thought our needs were) for the World Race. His response, “What’s the soonest you can get up here to Saint Joseph, Michigan?”
Jonathan, Brittney, and the Wanderlust team helped us get the right gear, taught us specifically how to use and pack each thing, and even prayed with us over our gear/trip… all within Kayla and I’s limited budget. It was one of the most potent ways we experienced God going before us and paving the way for us to serve around the world for the last 11 months.
Before the Race, Kayla and I decided that we didn’t want to think about our “transition home” until at least the end of month 8. But again, God had different plans.
I received an email from Jonathan sharing that he and Brittney had been praying and thinking about us. They asked if they could send us job descriptions detailing Wanderlust’s specific needs. If they didn’t line up with our passions/skills then no harm. We agreed and sure enough, they matched us almost to a T.
Kayla and I prayed over the decision for two months. It wasn’t an easy “yes”. Moving to a new state, farther away from family, for new careers, in a community where we only know two people, but to help something grow that we believe the Lord is behind… It’s risky.
I received a promise from the Lord in July of 2017 that He “made me for the risky and strategic stuff”. I believe this is the moment that he was talking about.
Kayla and I looked at each other and both knew what our next step of obedience to abiding in God’s will was…
Starting October 12th, we will officially be Michiganders!
FAQs – Here are the answers to some questions you are probably wondering about!
1. What will you be doing?
RJ – Operations and Development Manager
I will be the “people person” for Wanderlust. I’ll be responsible for recruiting new adventurous talent to our team, managing and coaching sales, shipping and receiving, and processing staff, and help manage Wanderlust’s relationship with more than 80 top brands (Osprey, Patagonia, North Face, Kuhl, Prana, Eno, etc.).
Kayla – HR Coordinator
I will be doing everything I love to do! I’ll be using my skills as a librarian to organize HR processes, data systems, payables, and payroll. It is extremely similar to my position before the Race at IUPUI, so I am excited to experience the role in a business setting.
2. What does Wanderlust Outfitters do?
Wanderlust’s mission is to equip everyone from backcountry adventurers to urban dwellers to get outside & explore their world. They want to help people make everyday an adventure.
They carry outdoor clothing, backpacking and hiking gear, stand up paddle boards, and more. Their vision is to grow and grow in BIG ways. They have seen incredible success in the first two years of business and are launching a full-force e-commerce site this Fall.
3. What makes Wanderlust Outfitters unique?
Walking into an outdoor gear store can be overwhelming. Wanderlust Outfitters is changing that.
Knowledge and experience is EVERYTHING when helping someone shop for gear. Wanderlust strives to ensure that everyone that walks through the door or shops online feels welcomed, understood, and supported. Whether you are a city park goer, weekend camper, or are preparing to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, Wanderlust helps you get the gear that specifically matches your needs. Nothing more, nothing less.
This hyper-personalized experience is something big box retailers just can’t provide.
AND Wanderlust believes every adventure is better with JESUS.
4. How is this ministry?
We have a desire to bring the light of Christ into a secular industry. It’s popular in the outdoor gear world to use messaging like “get out and get lost” or “go find yourself on the trail”.
We want to be an example of seeing the world through a different lens. We want to inspire godly awe and wonder in people’s hearts. We want to lead people in a way that they realize come to realize that the same God that created everything worth exploring, created them too!
We believe Wanderlust is a vehicle for the Lord to encounter and minister to people through their passion for the outdoors.
Reading through the New Testament it’s clear how Jesus loved to use business:
– Of Jesus’ 132 public appearances, 122 were in the marketplace.
– Of 52 parables Jesus told, 45 had a workplace context.
– Of 40 divine interventions recorded in Acts, 39 were in the marketplace.
5. Where will you live? Isn’t it cold there? Lake effect snow right?
We are moving to Saint Joesph, Michigan. It’s an 8,000 person beach town on the shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, about 90 miles northeast of Chicago. After living all over the world, we understand the importance of community more than ever. We have identified a church that we have reached out to and have already begun making a list of local restaurants and businesses to explore. We’re excited to embrace all that the small town life has to offer!
We will get lots of snow – approximately 80 inches a year! The highs in the summer are in the mid-80s and the lows in the winter are in the mid-20s. Southwestern Michigan has 4 beautiful seasons!
Sunset view of Silver Beach from Wanderlust Outfitters building
Winter picture of St. Joseph North Pier Lighthouse
6. How do I learn more about Wanderlust Outfitters?
Website: https://wanderlustoutfitters.com/
Follow Wanderlust Outfitters’ Facebook Page for updates and deals.
Keep up to date on trips and events on Wanderlust Outfitters’ Instagram.
*taken while hiking in the Andes Month 1 in Chile
So excited for y’all!!!!!!!! 😀
So excited for you guys-sounds like such an amazing opportunity! Obviously sad you won’t be coming back to Indy but you guys will do amazing things in Michigan!
Excited for you guys to join the Road to Life community!
So happy for you all! I remember when Kayla first told me the backpacking gear story, I had goosebumps! God has truly done amazing things and opened so many doors because you all are faithful to listen and seek His word. I am sad to not have you all in Indy, but at least I have friends in Michigan now!! Love y’all!
Continuing prayers for yall in your journey! So excited for yall!!
So awesome – amazing story! Can’t wait to visit Wanderlust on our next trip to MI 🙂
YES AND AMEN!!!??
YAY!! So excited for you both!! It’s awesome to see how God has had a plan and purpose for you all along and how you’ll both be able to use your gifts and passions!!