It's the first day of 2007 and I'm asking myself the question, if Jesus were walking the earth in our time, what would he be doing?

I think he'd be homeless, traveling around with a group of like-minded people, meeting the needs of ordinary people, bringing hope and the possibility of relationship with almighty God.

His words to his disciples were, 'Take nothing for the journey; no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic.'

If Jesus were walking the earth in 2007, I think he'd look a lot like Clinton White. White was a happily married youth minister a Gulfport, Mississippi church last year before Hurricane Katrina hit, the first of a number of shocks in his life in quick succession.

White fought back to help heal a broken community. Many members of his congregation had lost their homes; so, White began organizing relief efforts. 

But then in March, his world caved in. He had been happily married to Kim and had helped her fight cystic fibrosis, but somewhat unexpectedly, she died.

They had talked many times about what Clinton's life without her would look like. Both felt he would serve overseas at some point. The World Race was the fulfillment of their mutual dream. Having spent much of his adult life in student ministry, White is a spirited adventure-seeker and lover of the outdoors. He is unfazed by the requirement that he leave behind the life he's known.

White says that he could have been voted "least likely to become a minister or missionary." He credits his journey around the world to the Almighty's sense of humor.

Reflecting on this year and the baptism of fire through which God has carried him, White says he loves being broken, 'not because it feels good, but because it's then that I have the heart of Christ.'