Soularize [Day 1].

Well, we're nearing the conclusion of our second full day and here I am just now getting to write up some thoughts from the first two days here...

We decided that since we were bringing people to the Bahamas, we needed to take the first day to help people relax and decompress. So rather than setting people into conference rooms, we decided a little trip to a private island might be in order. So at 9 am we loaded up the Soularize party and set out for a private island about an hour's boat ride away from Nassau for a full day of floating in the water, snorkeling, sun, and conversation. [Yeah... I know what you're thinking.]

Once we got to the island, we explained to people that the day was meant to foster relationship and connection. So we just encouraged people to get to know one another, to share who they were and what their story is. It was so cool to see N.T. and Maggie Wright, as well as Rita Brock, hanging out on a private island in the Bahamas, talking and sharing with people while sipping on a drink under a palm tree.

So far I've also been blown away with the people who have come to Soularize. I''ve had so many incredibly great conversations with people on the boat ride over and back, as well as one the island itself. Good people trying to make sense out of what it means to live the life of Jesus in this world.

Our evening session was with N.T. Wright - which was like a dream come true. I had the opportunity to help pick them up at the airport, as well as have numerous really great conversations with N.T. Both he and his wife, Maggie, are warm, down to earth people - who have a huge heart for people. They've made themselves totally available to connect with people and have made friends quickly with the participants at the conference. He spoke on the book of Acts, sharing some new material from Acts for Everyone, which is coming out next year. [And yeah, it was pretty phenomenal stuff.] After getting to spend time talking and getting to know Tom, I can say that I'm even more impressed with him.

I'm staying at a condo right on the water with Spencer, Todd Littleton, Mark Scandrette, Jim Palmer, Jordon Cooper, and Adam Klein. As you can tell from the list, it's been a great time filled with great memories, lots of laughter, and some great late night conversations. Definitely this has been one of the highlights for me.

Anyway, we're heading out for a thank-you/appreciation gathering over at a place called Compass Point, where we have Tom and Maggie staying. Looking forward to a little downtime, conversation, and perhaps even a little libation...

More to come.

Comments

[Derek Rishmawy]

I am so freakin jealous its not even funny. Wright is...a theological stud. If you read this before the end of the weekend please tell him that he's got a fan here back in the states who's praying for him and who hopes to meet him someday.

[emma]

Sounds incredible.

[jeff]

why the bahamas? is it less expensive to travel to and hold a conference there than it is in the states? if not, it really seems like an unnecessary use of funds for so many people who's ministries are struggling financially.

[Mike]

Jeff, completely understand where you are coming from. I hesitated too when Spencer said, "What about the Bahamas?"

There are several reasons why we chose the Bahamas.When we found out about what New Providence Community Church [who played host to the conference] was doing on the island in terms of expanding the kingdom, we want to expose people to what they were doing. Rather than just talk about it. They were doing it in very unique and beautiful ways. We also wanted to move the conversation about the kingdom beyond the borders of the United States. We did not want this to be an American Christianity thing, but a more global thing. It was great to have a variety of people from Europe and other locations. And, yeah, it actually was a bit cheaper than having it in the states. When we explored the cost, it was the same amount has having the conference in Seattle or Chicago...

In the end, it was a pretty amazing conference. More and better than any of us could ever have imagined.