off to the middle east

I am taking a break from blogging for about 3 weeks as several of us go to the Middle East for a mission trip. I can't disclose our whereabouts or the nature of our trip because I dare not compromise the platform of our missionaries there. The couple we are partnering with are some close friends who I met a couple of years ago while serving on the NAME committee of the IMB (NAME is short for North Africa Middle East). We are very excited to be a part of their ministry. This is a dynamic young couple who are in love with Jesus and are totally committed to bring His glory to the nations!

I am excited that my wife and son are going with me. (My 12 year old is staying here with a friend. And for my friend Ray Sanders who tells me I should never say on my blog that I am leaving town because of all the nutcases who may read my blog and want to break into my house, if you are a nutcase and want to break into my house, you need to know that my house is occupied by former military who is trained to kill!) We appreciate your prayers for our daughter as we are away from her.

I also appreciate your prayers for our staff while I am away. I always worry about leaving the church for an extended trip out of the country. Thankfully, we have an incredibly competent staff that I fully trust to handle whatever situation may come up- but we could all use your prayers.

Our team will be working with a people group that is very strategic throughout the middle east. Pray that we will be a HUGE help to our m's there. Pray that God will use us to open doors for them. Our main objective is to be a big blessing and help to them and establish a long term relationship as they implement their strategy.

I regret that I am missing the IMB meeting in Albuquerque this week. I am praying for calm nerves and clear minds in our last meeting leading up to the convention. We will be electing a new chairman of the board in this meeting. I pray that the new chairman will live above the fray and see the perspective of not just elected trustees but will have a broad view of all Southern Baptists and will recognize the dynamics at play with missionaries around the world. I am finding that just as our convention is a broad tent of conservative Baptists - our missionaries are a diverse group as well. They need a board that has big vision and common sense. I am praying that a man will lead our board who is not caught up in convention politics but is passionate only for the name and fame of our Lord.

We need a chairman who:

1. Supports our president
2. Supports new directions
3. Is a big Kingdom guy
4. Wise enough not to obsess over the minors, but majors on the majors.

A board our size can quickly get stuck in quagmire if we are not careful. It is like the fight between brer rabit and the tar baby. The more we punch and swing, the more we get stuck in a mess.

A wise chairman will just leave the tar baby alone.

I will be living in Bedouin tent for a couple of weeks without electricity, so I will not hear read or see news of the convention until I climb out and get on a plane in 18 days. I am somewhat looking forward to that kind of freedom for awhile. I am praying for spiritual renewal and many days in prayer and ministry with people I care for deeply.

I appreciate Neil Franks preaching for me for the next two weeks as we begin our study of the book of Jonah.

I look forward to being back in the pulpit on June 10 to preach a sermon on Jonah chapter 3. It is a story of a weary missionary. A story of second chances. It is a story of genuine repentance and change and of God's great compassion and mercy.

It is a story for all of us.