by Len Lear

Bob Goff, author of two New York Times Best-Selling books, “Love Does” and “Everybody Always,” who also founded Love Does, a non-profit human rights organization operating schools and pursuing justice for children in war-torn countries, will speak at St. Thomas’ Church Whitemarsh at 7020 Camphill Rd. in Fort Washington on Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m.

The U.S. State Department recognizes Goff as a diplomat, and he is known as an Honorary Consul for the Republic of Uganda due to his work with Love Does, formerly known as Restore International. He founded the organization in 2003 to “find daring, productive and effective ways to fight the injustices committed against children.” Love Does is currently working to promote human rights and education in Uganda, Iraq, Nepal, Somalia, Afghanistan and India.

According to Christianbook.com, “Remember the joy and excitement as a kid of being invited to a big party? You felt valued, included, wanted and ready to have a good time. Goff believes that every day of life can be lived with the same childlike enthusiasm and sense of humor. Whether you've traveled to meet dozens of world leaders with your kids and started a school in Uganda like Goff, or are simply seeking a new perspective on the Christian life, you’ll learn (from Goff’s book, ‘Love Does’) that love is a verb, not just a feeling. His insights and joyful reflections will help you discover what it means to live as Howard Thurman intended when he said, ‘Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.’”

Some of Goff’s comments from “Love Does” have been widely quoted. For example, “I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I'm more afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter.” “Most people need love and acceptance a lot more than they need advice.” “God says He wants us to battle injustice, to look out for orphans and widows, to give sacrificially. And anyone who gets distracted with the minutiae of this point or that opinion is opting out of the real skirmish.”

Goff, 60, also founded Goff and Dewalt, LLP as a construction defect attorney. Located in Washington, the law firm specializes in construction defect litigation, general counsel and international rights. In addition, Goff, a San Diego resident, serves as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University in the law school and graduate degree programs. In 2016 he launched the Dream Big Framework, a curriculum and workshop designed “to motivate people to accomplish their biggest dreams and ambitions.”

As a college student, Goff spent 16 days in the Pacific Ocean with five friends and a crate of canned meat. As a father he took his kids on a world tour to eat ice cream with heads of state. He made friends in Uganda, and they liked him so much he became the Ugandan consul. He pursued his wife for three years before she agreed to date him. His grades weren’t good enough to get into law school, so he sat on a bench outside the Dean’s office for seven days until they finally let him enroll. According to his website, Goff’s friends have long insisted he write a book, which turned out to be “Love Does.”

According to Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, “If this book does not make your heart beat faster, book the next flight to Mayo Clinic!”

Louie Giglio, of the Passion City Church in Atlanta, has written, “Bob Goff is a one-man tsunami of grace, a hurricane of love. He doesn’t just talk about change; he really is change, as ‘Love Does’ chronicles in such a vivid way. Yet, ‘Love Does’ doesn't leave you feeling like you want to celebrate its author; it awakens a sense deep within that you, too, have an outrageous role to play in God's unfolding story of rescue and repair.”

Haley King, Goff’s personal assistant, told us, “He's a lover of balloons, cake pops and helping people pursue their big dreams. Bob's greatest ambitions in life are to love others and, most importantly, hold hands with his wife, sweet Maria Goff…”

For more information about the April 17 appearance, call 215-233-2970, ext. 126, or stthomaswhitemarsh.org. Free tickets are available at bit.ly/bobgoffatstw