Ben's Letter to the Community

July 31, 2023

Dear HOPE worldwide Community,

First and foremost, let me express my heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome you have extended to me as the new CEO of HOPE worldwide. It is both an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with this leadership role, and I am excited to embark on this journey with each and every one of you.

As I reflect on my life's journey, I am reminded of a pivotal moment that shaped the very essence of who I am today. Losing my mother tragically at the tender age of four taught me the harsh reality of impermanence, of how someone could be there one moment and gone the next. At such a young age, I did not fully understand the concept of death, but what I did understand was the importance of living.

James 4:13-15 holds a profound truth that resonates deeply within me: ^“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.’”

Our time on this earth is fleeting, and the realization of this truth was the spark that awakened a desire in me to truly live and embrace every moment with purpose and passion. I have found my purpose, my calling, in the mission of HOPE worldwide. The work we do here, touching lives and making an impact by loving our neighbors, allows me to live my passion.

My hope is that all of us will come alive together. The joy of being surrounded by people who share this sense of purpose, who come alive in the same way, is unparalleled. Helping someone in need come alive is one of the greatest experiences a person can have. Together we can create a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond what we can do alone.

My father was my hero of a human being. He led a very sacrificial life totally devoted to his family and community. Remarrying after the passing of my mother, raising kids and serving his neighbors was certainly not easy, but he never stopped growing. My father passed away in January. His final words to me, as he embraced me for the last time were, “I wish I was better.”

Those words serve as a constant reminder to me of the importance of continuous growth and self-improvement. We owe it to ourselves and to those we serve to live life to the fullest and never allow ourselves to die inside while we are still living. Life is too short to waste on anything other than what makes us come alive.

As I step into the role of CEO, my vision is to inspire and empower each member, volunteer, donor, partner, and program participant in our HOPE worldwide family to find what makes them come alive and support them in pursuing it wholeheartedly. Together, we can create a global community of passion, purpose, and compassion, where we help others thrive as individuals and as a collective force of good. Our love for our neighbors can bring about extraordinary transformations.

Thank you once again for your warm welcome and for the incredible work you help support around the world. I am thrilled to be on this journey with you and I look forward to witnessing our collective impact as we help people come alive.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Dr. Ben Barnett, President & CEO of HOPE worldwide

Read the Appointment Letter from the Board of Directors

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