If you are like me, as you read this blog you probably know very little or nothing of the man I am about to introduce you to. It really is crazy that the Kardashians get lots of press in America, as do the antics of our other pop “icons”. But, surprisingly, little is made known of a man who has chosen to work in one of the most dangerous places in the world as an agent of peace.

This year’s William Wilberforce Award winner was Canon Andrew White who is known as the “Vicar of Baghdad”. White serves as the vicar of St. George’s Church which is located in the Red District of Baghdad and is the only Anglican church in the entire country of Iraq. It was truly an honor to listen to his talk last Saturday.

Like Wilberforce, whose had two great passions in his life (the abolition of the slave trade and the reformation of manners), White has two great passions: love and reconciliation. He has been instrumental in many ways trying to forge peace in the Middle East. “Most people love Israel or the Arabs. I love them both,” Canon White says. Another quote that says so much about what makes White unique in the world today, “We don’t just deal with the nice guys. The nice guys don’t cause the wars.” How is that for being counter-intuitive. I spend my time trying to avoid the bad guys, not engage them in dialogue.

He knows the price of doing ministry work in modern-day Baghdad. Amazingly, St. George’s ministers to about 6,000 people a week–both Christians and Muslims. Since 2004, White has seen 1,276 of his church members killed in the violence of war and “post-war” Baghdad. He recalled a story that one Sunday he baptized 13 new members and three days later 11 of them were killed. He said some are targeted because they are Christians, but most are killed simply because they are in the wrong spot when the bombs go off. The Iraqi government provides security around the church during worship because of the constant threats it receives from those that don’t want any Christians left in Baghdad.

One of the questions asked by Eric Metaxas who interviewed him as part of the program was how should we be praying for you and your church. White responded by saying to please pray for protection, provision, and perseverance.

Voice of the Martyrs came and interviewed several of the parishioners of St. George’s and noted that despite all the death and destruction that surrounds them they were very joyful people. One of the parishioners explained why they have such joy in their lives, “When you have lost everything, all you have is Jesus and that is why we are joyful.” Again, that is such an counter-intuitive statement. In America, we think that things and stuff will have us happy but true joy doesn’t come in things, but in Christ.

I would encourage you to find out more about Canon Andrew White. Follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOJlSIaFv1I to see the interview with Eric Metaxas from the Wilberforce Weekend (you will be entertained, laugh, and will cry over the course of this video). Also, in the current issue of World Magazine (which for my money is hands-down the best news source from a Christian worldview perspective), check out the cover article “Believing In Iraq”. It is an excellent article about how Christ’s light is shining in an extremely difficult circumstance. One that I, for one, can’t even imagine. Oh, and by the way, White has had MS for the last 17 years. It doesn’t slow him down.

Your challenge this week is to count your blessings. Name them one by one. Christians in America are often seen by the general population as whiners and complainers. Let’s give the world an accurate image of Jesus! Then, pray for our brothers and sisters around the world that have much more to complain about than we do–yet they are living for Christ in a way that exalts His name!

More to come,
Jeremy