Sent to Soar

Among books that discern people's reason for living, this one is exceptional for its interfaith perspective and clear text readily accessible to people of all backgrounds. Reverend Poos-Benson mines the wisdom of the great spiritual heroes -- Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed, Lao Tzu -- to reveal a pattern in how God works in the world. He believes that God has sent us to fulfill a unique destiny; in order to find meaning in life, we must understand why we have been sent and then fulfill that purpose. Having been one of the first responders after the Columbine school shootings, he is well qualified for his focus on the thorny issue of great trauma, empowering readers to become aware of how the divine is moving through their lives in spite of tremendous suffering and evil. He also provides questions for individuals and groups to ponder, resulting in a vibrant text that leads to healing and self-transformation.

Through his work as Senior Pastor of Columbine United Church, Stephen Poos-Benson has become a global voice for progressive Christianity. He earned his BA from Whitworth University, his Masters of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary and Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary. He has worked with thousands of people serving as pastor, life coach, and spiritual guide over the course of his 30-year career.

In April 1999, Steve was at the center of a watershed moment in U.S. history -- the shootings at Columbine High School. He was a first responder to the scene. Stephen worked with families whose children had been killed or wounded. He also ministered to the family of one of the shooters. As a part of his work, he was interviewed by Time to assess the progress of healing in the community. He addressed the nation twice as a part of the five- and 10-year anniversary ceremonies. He maintains an active blog at StevesCowboyJesus.blogspot.com.