By the time you read this, I will be back in the Bay Area! (I hope that brings joy!) I have just spent my 33^rdyear at a “camp” called Leadership Lab ( http://leadershiplab.net).

It is joy to equip youth with leadership skills as well as be instrumental in helping them discover the love of Jesus. In some cases, this is the first time they have personally experienced the love of God. As you know it is one thing to be told “God loves you” and it is completely different to experience that love in way that surpasses understanding.

Like authentic Christian community, there is both the love of God and the love of “neighbor”. Without a doubt there is a relational bond that is formed by those who come to Leadership Lab, myself included. I have a deep connection with many on staff that I have known for decades. These are some of my closest friends. I truly understand what it means to be a part of the family of God. I also feel that at Bethel! I love being in a huge extended family of God! It is reassuring to know that people have my back. In return, I have the backs of others.

As I get ready to come home, I want you to know that I have been reminded this past week that love is the most important thing. The love of God is more powerful than hate and more powerful than injustice and more powerful than death.

This has been a good time for me to be reminded of the most important things of our faith.

Guess what? I’ll be talking about love this Sunday.

The pictures are of sidewalk chalk art from our students at Leadership Lab.

God bless you!
Pr. Ben