The Upside-Down Kingdom - God Chooses the Unexpected - Nadim Costa: Part 1
Episode Summary
In part one of this two-part episode, Cory and Brian interview Nadim Costa who shares his profound journey from Lebanon's civil war to a dynamic faith in Christ. He discusses the paradoxes of leadership in the context of the Upside Down Kingdom, emphasizing that God often chooses the unlikely over the powerful. Through transformative stories and encounters, Nadim illustrates how God is moving in unexpected ways, particularly in the Middle East, and challenges listeners to embrace a faith that is interactive and alive.
Key Themes & Takeaways
1. From War-Torn Childhood to Faithful Obedience
Nadim grew up in the chaos of the Lebanese Civil War, learning to read people, survive, and prioritize community over possessions.
His early view of faith was transactional—“I don’t want to go to hell”—but God led him on a journey of deeper surrender.
2. Rejecting Religion for Relationship
Nadim critiques lifeless religion across cultures and traditions: “Jesus didn’t die so I could go to church on Sunday.”
He longs for a God who speaks, interacts, laughs, and loves—not one locked in ritual and control.
3. Unbecoming: The Journey of Leadership
When asked to define his identity, Nadim simply says he’s “on the journey of unbecoming.”
He sees himself as “the Boss’s guy”—whatever God asks, he does. Leadership isn’t about titles, but obedience.
4. Movements Among the Unlikely
God is using unexpected people:
A Syrian militia leader who encountered Jesus in a dream and survived a missile blast is now planting DBS groups in the Druze Mountains.
A former Bulgarian MMA champ is using martial arts training to lead people to Jesus through Discovery Bible Studies.
A Yemeni leader, tortured and kidnapped, refused to flee—even after his release—because he wouldn’t abandon his network.
5. God’s Creativity in Calling
Every dream, vision, and encounter is unique—no two stories are the same, yet each points to a living, personal God.
These movements thrive not through church services or professional clergy but through obedience, creativity, and radical trust.
Final Thoughts
The upside-down kingdom is not built by the strong, strategic, or successful—it’s built by the surrendered. Nadim’s story challenges us to unlearn the cultural molds we’ve created for leadership and instead say yes to a God who speaks, calls, and multiplies through the margins. What if the most qualified people in the kingdom are the ones we’d never expect?
