by Jim Supp, Campus Pastor @ MBC Loudoun

So I leave for Iraq this week. Aside from all of the preparations – travel size for everything you can think of – I have been trying to mentally and spiritually prepare for this journey. I have been out of the country many times but never to the Middle East – and certainly not a Muslim country in particular. I am abundantly aware that I have no data points in my history that will prepare me for what I will encounter. The news networks hardly provide clarity on what it will be like. This brings a little anxiety and a lot of excitement, even for a generally risk adverse sort of guy like me. I have really been praying about my heart and attitude as I prepare to enter this strange new place. I am keenly aware that although our team may have many valuable things to provide the people there, we are strongly cautioned to not enter this place with a haughty “we have so much to teach you about following Jesus, so step back and take notes” sort of attitude. Since our time together will focus on the book of Philippians I have been spending a fair amount of time there. As you likely know, this book is about finding joy in the midst of persecution. Reading this very familiar book has taken on a new flavor for me with the backdrop of my study being time in Iraq. I find myself looking in the mirror asking “So what do YOU know about that?” It is certain that there will be many at this pastors and Christian leaders’ conference who face true, life-threatening persecution on a regular basis. Persecution for me? Well, I’ve been made fun of a few times in 30 years of walking with Jesus. I’ve been harshly challenged a few times by self-proclaimed atheists. Do those count? Ah, but I know God is bigger than all of that. My primary job is to prepare the best that I can and show up with an open heart for God to do what HE wants to do. And that’s my biggest prayer – that God would do his thing – use me as He sees fit and mold me to be like Him in the process. Thanks for your prayers.