“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you… plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.”
– Jeremiah 29:11

God created us for fearless relationship with Him. From that beginning, we enter a life that sometimes throws us situations that seem bigger than we can handle – situations that leave us feeling alone. In that space, we can start to doubt and ask hard questions.

Does God see me?
Does God love me enough to change this situation for me?
Is there something wrong with me?

Somewhere along the way, we might start to believe that God is not the answer to the problems in our lives. The voices that whisper distorted lies of fear and shame impede our ability to fearlessly pursue the love of God.

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“One good reason to face our fears is that if you don’t face them, they are behind you and pushing you places you don’t want to go… God wants to give you courage… This is not something we do on our own. It’s a gift God gives us.”

We have a host, a worship leader, a priest, and three speakers who have traveled to share the faith with us this weekend! Keep reading to find out a little bit about each one. We look forward to hearing from them throughout the conference.

Bob Rice – Host

Bob is a Catholic speaker who loves his life. A husband to his wife, Jennie, and father of their seven children, Bob is also a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Steubenville, Ohio. He is a Professor of Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville, and an accomplished podcaster, musician, and author.

For more about Bob, check out his website and follow him on Twitter.

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This morning, nearly 90 volunteers throughout Missouri started Steubenville Week 1 off right with an opening Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Rice. The O’Reilly Catholic Student Center at Missouri State University was filled with the call – in Scripture, the homily, and hymns – to leave fear at the door as we serve teens and help them grow closer to Jesus.

“Straight are the paths of the Lord, in them the just walk.” True service always starts with examining our own hearts. The first reading from Hosea and Psalm 51 ask us to courageously seek forgiveness in the areas of our lives that we haven’t fully given over to God. The Gospel reading from Matthew calls us to live out radical dependence on the Holy Spirit, especially when it’s not easy.

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