Bryan Bishop

The book Boundless was written after I’d had the rug pulled out from under my feet, the third time that has happened to me in my life.

The first happened at the age of 22 when I looked up at a tree on a street near the University of Washington in Seattle and suddenly knew there was a God. That realization has changed my whole life.

The second happened in a classroom in Pasadena, California. A missionary by the name of Don Richardson was giving an overview of the Bible in a course called Perspectives. He said there was a purpose to the story of God: all of us are blessed to be a blessing. I suddenly saw myself in that story. I was already in it, whether I had realized it or not. That understanding has shaped what I’ve done with my life ever since.

Then in Thailand in 1998 I met a soft-spoken man who worked with Muslims in Asia in a way I could not fathom. As I tried to understand him, I realized I had looked at Jesus and the Bible through the lens of a Western, American cultural background. The Bible presented so many more cultural ways to follow Jesus. From the story of Abram to the letters of Paul, I had failed to see the cross-cultural diversity. I suddenly realized there could be so many more God-given, Bible-sanctioned ways to live than I had imagined.

The journey that ensued after this last revelation resulted in the book Boundless, and a chapter I wrote for a book called Where There Was No Church. You can find out more about both books at bryanbishop.net.

Along my life’s journey, I have been blessed to have two parents who each follow God with enthusiasm and intelligence, to become the father of three children who have grown up to be people I enjoy spending time with, and to marry Tamara, a wonderful person who believes in me more than I believe in myself.

In my day job, I work on communication and research projects for Youth With A Mission, also known as YWAM. At various times over the last 22 years, I have edited YWAM’s magazine, project-managed YWAM’s website, and taught seminars in many places, including Argentina, South Africa, India, Thailand, Jordan, and even in a garage in Colombia.

I’ve found a lot of strength in contemplative prayer and have had the pleasure of inviting others to join me in days of silence and worship. I go to a good church in Colorado Springs that has given me the opportunity to serve and to meet people who care about me and my family.

I also enjoy jogging, and like to find time to go running when I travel, whether it’s jumping mud puddles in England or climbing a hill in Mauritius.

If you have read Boundless and would like to share an idea with me or ask me a question, please do so. You can contact me at bryanbishop.net. I would enjoy hearing from you.