GuideStone® was originally established in 1918 to provide financial support and assistance for retired pastors and widows. Today, we continue to carry out that mission through the ministry of Mission:Dignity®. Here’s an encouraging devotional from one of our recipients:
KaleoPhilippians 1:6 (CSB)
Bruce Swetnam authored this issue’s devotional. He served the Lord alongside his wife, Nancy, for 38 years.
Twenty years ago, I sat down with several youth pastors in our community to explore developing a citywide youth outreach event. This event would coincide with the start of the new school year.
Over the next several weeks, we began to dream, share, pray, and seek the Lord’s direction for launching this outreach weekend. Out of these meetings, a youth outreach weekend was born. We named it Kaleo, which means “God calls.”
For the next fifteen years, Kaleo became a spiritual focal point for the churches of our community.
I can close my eyes as I travel back through the corridors of time and still hear 200 young people lifting their voices in worship and praise.
Today, I believe there are young adults across the Pacific Northwest who became Christ-followers through the ministry of Kaleo. They have laid claim to that rich biblical promise:
I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to the completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (CSB).
Over the next 15 years of Kaleo, the Holy Spirit would move to call young people to commit their lives to Christ. As I move into the winter season of my life, I am grateful to have had a small part in a weekend where life-changing decisions were made that marked an eternal difference in the lives of so many young people.
What memories of serving Christ can you make today?
Want more devotionals? Our 40-day devotional book written by our Mission:Dignity recipients is available to order here.
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Commentary
• Nov 4, 2025 