Answering the Call

Grace and Peace to you in the Name of Jesus Christ our Risen Lord,

By the time many of you read his month’s posting, I will probably be in Kabul, Afghanistan. Now that may come as a shock to most of you, but I hope not all of you.

First, allow me to explain my “cover” story. (Bear with me on this, hopefully you’ll see the light by the time you finish reading this message.) My full time job is in the architectural/engineering business and the parent company that I work for is a Fortune 100 company with 8000 employees and 350 offices worldwide. Late last winter, I saw an internal job posting for an overseas deployment. After discussions with my family and lots of prayer, we decided to submit my name for consideration fully believing that nothing would ever come of it.

Now fast forward to this June. I received a call to inform me that I was now one of four individuals under serious consideration for the job and was asked if I was still interested. Again, after discussions with my wife – and lots more prayer – I said, “Yes, leave my name in the hat.” I have to say that the still small voice in my head was starting to get just a bit louder that this opportunity just might actually become a reality.

A few weeks ago, while acting as Camp Chaplin at Camp Aldersgate in the Adirondacks, I received another call that said I was the guy they wanted. I needed to make a decision if I wanted to start the process towards deployment. After discussing it with Anne one more time and spending much time in prayer by the lake, I heard God’s call loud and clear this time and said ‘Yes’.

At the beginning of this message I mentioned that this job is my “cover” story. I truly believe that.

During my prayer times and my discernment meditations, I began to realize that this was far less about a job opportunity and far more about a ministry opportunity as a United Methodist pastor in an Islamic country. Yes, my company is going to be paying me to oversee many important construction projects.

However, I also know God is calling each and every one of us to deny ourselves, to take up our cross and follow Him where He leads us. This verse from Matthew 16:24 has been echoing in my mind – and my heart – throughout this very tough decision process.

During this process, I came to understand what denying myself may look like. I have resigned my seat as the President Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Board of Education. I have had to turn over my responsibilities to our Boy Scout Troop 95 to another member of our church. I have had to examine what this opportunity means to my position as the Pastor of Ledyard UMC. And I have had agonize about a difficult extended separation from my wife and children.

And yet through it all, I knew that my Savior, Jesus Christ, was calling me to discipleship. He was opening a door to me and telling me to follow Him.

He is reminding me that my call to ministry happened while I was in the mission field in Guatemala. He is reminding me that He pulled me out of the hell being an alcoholic. He is reminding me that He has blessed me with a loving wife of 28 years and four wonderful children who also know Him as their Lord and Savior.

So why do I say that the job opportunity is just a ‘cover story’? It is because I know that I am going to Afghanistan as a disciple of Jesus Christ cleverly disguised as a Project Manager overseeing construction projects!

These construction projects will change the lives of many, many people. These buildings are government buildings that will – for the very first time in Afghanistan’s storied history – provide basic medical, educational and legal services in many towns and villages throughout the country.

I know that I can not evangelize and proselytize in this country. It would be foolish and very dangerous. But I can be the hands and feet of Christ to help improve the lives of all God’s children. I can work side by side with Afghan engineers in our Kabul office who are experiencing – perhaps for the first time in their lives – the right to choose whom they work for and who are committed to bringing the infrastructure of their country into this century and give their people a chance at better lives. The average life expectancy of people in Afghanistan is 42 years. 1 in 4 infants don’t live to experience their 2nd birthday. Many women are still denied basic rights. In many areas of the country, people still live in fear of the brutality of the Taliban.

Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I believe that with all that I am in my heart, mind and spirit. And I believe also that God has called me to this endeavor – and if He has truly called me, He will give me the tools I need to be His disciple.

My deployment is currently slated for 3 to 6 months. I will be in regular contact as often as possible and will be monitoring the church website for updates on our ministries.

I will be putting my thoughts and pictures here when I can. I encourage you to check it often and then share what you find with others.

Until we are together again, I bid you
“Shabbat Shalom”.

Pastor Russ <’///><