Bob Goff to Bring Wisdom and Whimsy to Gordon

If you see tons of balloons on campus this September, don’t be surprised—they’re the colorful entourage of Bob Goff, New York Times best-selling author and founder of the nonprofit Love Does. To the excitement of many, Goff will give the keynote lecture at Gordon’s 2018 Homecoming Awards: A Celebration of Faithful Leadership on Friday, September 28.

“It is an incredible honor for us to have Bob Goff at Gordon,” says Jennifer Jukanovich, vice president for student life. “His life embodies so much of what we hope for Gordon students—a life that is so rooted in the love of Jesus that he enters the world stage without fear of others. He truly sees the image of God in each person he encounters. There is no pretense.”

A self-described “recovering lawyer,” Goff founded Goff and Dewalt, LLP in 1968, specializing in construction defect litigation, general counsel and international rights. In 2003 he founded Love Does—previously called Restore International—to promote human rights and education in places experiencing and recovering from conflict. The organization currently serves women and children in Uganda, Iraq, Nepal, Somalia and India. Because of his extensive international work, the U.S. Department of State recognizes Goff as a diplomat, and he is known as an Honorary Consul for the Republic of Uganda.

No longer practicing law, Goff’s main focus lies in his work with Love Does. He is also an adjunct professor at Pepperdine Law School and Point Loma Nazarene University.

The highly sought-after speaker and author of Love Does (2012) and Everybody, Always (2018) translates his life experience, especially from his nonprofit work, into digestible lessons for a range of audiences. “People are looking for hope,” Jukanovich says. “Bob knows what it is like to delve into the depths of incredible pain and not give up on Jesus. I hope people will leave remembering their love for the goodness of God and walk out more empowered to extend that love to others.”

Prior to the Homecoming Awards ceremony, Goff will also address current and prospective students at the Homecoming Convocation earlier in the day. The evening ceremony will feature recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award and George F. Bennett Leadership Award, and an Honorary Alumna. Eight Gordon graduates will receive alumni awards, and six will be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Honor.

General admission is $10. Buy tickets here >>

Admission for Gordon students is complimentary. Further details will be announced.