GLS 4

Didn't get round to finishing the GLS report and today we have travelled 200 miles into Michigan to Grand Rapids. This is the home of Mars Hill Church and Rob Bell and we think our hotel is right next door to the church. In fact, when I was searching for the free Wi-Fi at the hotel, the Mars Hill Wi-Fi was on the list! Follow the signal! Mars Hill has no sign on the outside so we are going to have to explore later so we don't miss tomorrow morning.

Anyway, back to yesterday afternoon and the final sessions of GLS - the reason for coming to the States! A great finish! First up, Blake Mycoskie. He is a 30 something entrepreneur who is a Christian, and he is the founder - or as he likes to call himself, the Chief Shoe Giver, of TOMS shoes. His company sells shoes, clue in the title, but for every pair sold, they give a pair to a child in Argentina who doesn't have a pair. So far they have a thriving business and have given away over 600,000 pairs of shoes. Simple giving that works. He was the only speaker who got a full house standing ovation. Amazing ideas are always simple. Oh, and he is so cool he lives on a boat in Los Angeles! Visit their website - www.TOMS.com for more info. Perhaps we could join in the 'One day without shoes' day next April?

Then a complete contrast in the form of Jack Welch, the former head of GE, the huge electric company. He was a 'character' who became the first person to have a word beeped out at a GLS! What was the word? That'll be a good game to play when we go to GLS in Southampton later in the year! Fortunately he was on video and not live! A hard-nosed businessman who was very ill recently and when Bill Hybels pressed him about faith, he seemed open to the possibility.

The final session was a barn-stormer with Bishop T.D. Jakes. It was all about passion, preached by a passionate man who brought a real sense of commitment as the summit closed. We even held hands across the auditorium!

Plenty to think through, plenty to process, plenty to do. But through it all, hearing the whisper of God has to be the most important lesson over the 2 days, because if God isn't going anywhere, I'm not going anywhere!

After a great stay with the folk from Willow Creek, Bill and Betty, we are now let lose in the US. We learnt a lot from teose faith-filled, faithful, generous couple. Married for 54 years, they havebeen through tough times personally and with their family, but totally committed to God and His church. They were brilliant and inspired us with a vision for the long haul. And to affirm our friendship, Bill gave me his Chicago Cubs (baseball) mug. A great memory from a big man with a big heart. It's great when God joins us together and builds our lives when we bump into His special people.

Thanks for reading.