Steadfast on Mission: Four Lessons from Cyprus

Steadfast on Mission: Four Lessons from Cyprus

Hello from Cyprus!

I am in Cyprus for a couple of weeks serving alongside missionaries from many parts of the world with SIM.org — a 128-year-old legacy missions organization. More on that as the event proceeds.

I write these weekly devotionals in real time, shaped by Scripture, the Church calendar, relevant life events, and this year’s theme, “Steadfast,” from my album Keep the Faith.

This week's article is an expansion to share the personal, behind-the-scenes story of this project — similar to updates from other mission trips. This past week was quite a challenge.

Travel Drama

Getting to Cyprus was its own adventure. The Middle East situation has made travel unpredictable. Cyprus was struck by a drone in the early stages of the Iran conflict. That shut down the airspace and has kept things uncertain ever since. Several missionaries had a difficult time getting here — visa issues, rerouted flights, last-minute cancellations.

My week leading up to departure was intensely busy. After much thought, prayer, and discussion, we made the difficult decision that Ivalene would not join me on this trip. We'd already paid for her ticket, so that meant hours dealing with the airline to sort it out. Then my return flight got cancelled, and I had to find a solution for that as well. On top of all that, I carry a lot of gear in order to lead worship — it's complicated and very time-consuming to pack. So all of that was going on in the background.

Spiritual Themes

In the foreground, the spiritual themes of the week were rich. Monday's devotional was rooted in Psalm 23, and I sensed the next devotional will be themed as "Preparing for the End." On Tuesday we recognized St. Patrick's Day. The ancient prayer known as St. Patrick's Breastplate is a huge inspiration. It is a prayer of spiritual warfare, and there is much battle in the natural and heavenly realms right now.

Journey to Cyprus

I resolved to get to the Nashville airport early due to the government shutdown and TSA uncertainty. No major problems, praise God! Nashville to London Heathrow, then straight on to Larnaca. Close to 24 hours of travel. I left Wednesday night in the dark and landed Thursday night in the dark. In the airport lobby I joined a missionary couple from Africa for the two-hour van ride to Paphos. After 28 hours of travel I was pretty wiped out. The Lord was good and led me to an open restaurant (Irish!) still serving beef stew — a small grace, but most comforting!

On the Ground

Friday was straight into it. Breakfast meeting, then setting up the room — guitar, amp, mic, laptop, slides. Did the livestream at 3:00 pm local time, 8:00 am Central USA. Team dinner that evening with the mentors who had arrived. At 8:00 pm I led worship for our first orientation session. Then Saturday morning: 7:00 am breakfast, worship at 8:30, with more mentors joining who had come in overnight

Cold and Wet

The weather has been cold and wet, with the sky going from sunshine to torrential downpour and back again, sometimes within the same hour. I had not packed for it to be this cold. Wearing three shirts, a hoodie, and a light jacket — and still too cold. Saturday afternoon I walked a mile to the mall and found a couple of sweaters on sale. Small victory. I don't buy clothes unless they are on sale.

A Glorious Sunday

Sunday morning I put together a Trinity-focused set for our worship service. A pastor from South Africa with a most amazing vocal sonority shared the sermon. It was a glorious time. More mentor training followed that. By afternoon all the leaders had arrived. We had dinner together and then the official welcome meeting at 8:00 pm. Many were weary from their long journeys (42 hours for an Australian couple!), but all worshipped enthusiastically. One special moment came at the end when we sang "The Blessing" — everyone singing over one another, greeting and hugging each person in the room. It was a beautiful moment of koinonia.

Full Bore

Monday morning the training sessions launched full bore. Each day starts with about 30 minutes of worship, scripture, and prayer — that's my role, and the response and participation have been wonderful. There are a couple of evening sessions too. By the end of the week I will have led worship for around 11 sessions total. In between I'm sitting in on the training, prepping slides, planning the next sets — and building relationships.

I tried to do the Monday livestream but the internet just could not handle it, even running off my phone's data. Frustrating.

Four Lessons of Steadfast on Mission

So that's the behind-the-scenes story of the first four days. The logistics, the weather, the details — that's the smaller story. The bigger story is the people, the purpose, and what God is teaching in the midst of it.

As I reflect on this trip so far, four things stand out about what it really means to be steadfast on mission:

1. Steadfast means showing up despite obstacles. Showing up faithfully when it's hard is the mission.

2. Steadfast means trusting God in the both the seen and unseen details. His providence is working all things together for our good. (Romans 8:28)

3. Steadfast means being present to people. God's mission is ultimately about people, not logistics. Even when exhausted, staying present is steadfast faith.

4. Steadfast means worshipping regardless of circumstances. "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances . . ." (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

The missionaries I'm getting to know here have stories that are diverse, eye-opening, inspiring, and heartbreaking. That's coming in a future article.

Thanks for your prayers and support. Mission is not only about where we go—it is about how we remain faithful over time.

Stay steadfast and keep the faith!

~ ROB

PS. Friends, I invite you to pray with and for our missionaries.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we pray for all who serve on mission — for their safe travel, their steadfast faith, and the communities of mercy, grace, and love they are building in your name.

Lord, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures gathered in your name. Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know you and make you known. Through him, we give thanks to you in all things, in all times, in all places, and in all circumstances.

Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship. Show us your presence in those who differ most from us.

Go before us, Lord, teach us your ways, for the glory of your name, and bring all safely home.

Amen.

Listen to "My Heart is Steadfast" on Bandcamp 

PS: The themes of this devotional series are reflected in the songs I wrote for Keep The Faith, which express the hope that God has a mission to declare his glory among the nations.

Take a moment to listen to "My Heart is Steadfast"  → [link]

ABOUT THE STEADFAST DEVOTIONAL SERIES: 

Since the beginning of this year, we have been exploring what it means to live with steadfast faith. Steadfastness is a character trait essential to growing in spiritual maturity. These companion essays include:

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