By Ally Horine | Echo
Bob Goff
Bob Goff greets everyone he meets with a hug.
His passion and love for others show within the first 30 seconds of meeting him. He believes passionately in the power of action and loving others. His first book, "Love Does," has reached the New York Times Best Seller list and has been translated into nine different languages.
He gets a hundred phone calls a day from strangers who found his number in the back of his book. He answers them all.
The Echo had the opportunity to sit down and ask him a few questions about his ministry and life.
Echo: Where is your next step after Taylor?
Goff: I am headed to Minnesota, then sweet Maria (my wife) and I are taking a writing trip. We're both going to sit and write together; it's something we've never done before.
So does this mean you're writing a new book?
Yes I have! It's actually done. My wife is also writing one too! Can you believe it? Hers will be way better than mine.
Is there a title for your book yet, or is that still a secret?
No, it's not a secret! I just haven't come up with it yet. Similar to "Love Does," I will just set everything out and see what the best title is. You have to birth it before you name it, you know?
What is one thing you want people to know about you?
I want people to know I am all about change. Every chapter has a subtitle in my book that says, "I used to think one way, but now I know another." Just like people reading my book, I am still learning and changing.
I think that's how Jesus wants us to be. He wants us to grow and learn and change in our walk. I actually usually carry a bag with me that has two gloves and a baseball in it, so when I talk with someone with a differing opinion, we can just throw a ball and talk. The best part is I've never even been to a baseball game!
As Christians, what should we take away from your book?
As Christians, we get very defensive about our beliefs. Now I'm a lawyer, and I am a good lawyer, but I know this: Jesus doesn't need a lawyer. We don't need to fight for Jesus. I would make a terrible evangelist because I don't think people need me to come to Jesus; I believe Jesus leads people to Jesus.
So how do you manage to answer all of those phone calls each day?
Honestly, I love doing it! It's so great to hear about people and to talk to them. If you want to make an impact, be available. People who are available are the most influential. It doesn't do you any good to think you're better than and to ignore others. The best way to impact is to love; it's what Jesus did.
So true! So now for a couple of silly questions. If you would have had a high school superlative, what would it be?
Ha, I definitely didn't have one. If I did, it would have been "Bob Who?" I definitely wasn't popular in high school.
If you had to pick one, what would your spirit animal be?
You know someone asked me this before, and I really don't think I have one. However, I would say that if I had a character I related to most it would be Curious George. I just love him and how curious he is. I think I am the same way, I am just always curious about everything, and never want to stop learning.
Christena Cleveland
Ever since Christena was a child, she has had a passion for social justice. In first grade, her class played kickball every day at recess until a girl who was visually impaired joined their class. Christena knew she wouldn't be able to play, and stopped everyone from playing kickball until they could come up with a game that everyone could play.
We also had the opportunity to catch up with Christena and ask her a few questions before the conference.
How have you related to the topic of this conference?
When I sat down I began thinking about what leadership was like in our changing world and what kind of leaders we need to be to engage in a diverse culture. I wanted to craft a message that speaks to students, not just about globalism but about the bigger picture and uniting as Christians.
What was the inspiration for your most recent book, "Disunity in Christ"?
I was teaching at a Christian college in California, and it was the first time I had taught at a Christian college. While I was aware not all Christians believed exactly the same thing, I was surprised at how many divisions there were. I did not attend a Christian college so it was a very new realization for me. I began to realize how I could integrate social and psychological elements in discussion and teaching students. I began to see how this integrated with my passion for reconciliation.
Speaking of your passion, can you further explain your desire for reconciliation and how you discovered it?
Yes, well I think it's something I was born with; it's sort of just in my DNA. I have such a heart for justice and think it is something that just bothers me. I have always noticed the people on the margins and made a point of being their friend. I think a lot goes along with kindness and just welcoming people in, it's such a powerful tool of reconciliation.
What is something that people don't know about you?
Well my kitchen has really high ceilings and strong beams, so I installed a swing and often swing and read in my kitchen.
So if you had a spirit animal, what would it be?
It would definitely be a lion.
Do you have any hobbies that people might consider "weird"?
Well, in my job, I spend a lot of time trying to find feeling and wholeness in the midst of a lot of broken places and people. Its such a joy to do the work I do, but it also shows some of the uglier and more painful parts of the church. I am exposed to the sexism, classism, racism and oppression that often can be found in church bodies.
As a result, I do a lot of yoga and meditation to keep my heart soft. In these hobbies I try to find the goodness in life and the abundance God has for me that is available in the midst of the pain and confusion of life.
So they might be seen as weird, but they help to keep my heart soft and to keep me from becoming bitter.
