October 4, 2021 • Third Third Journal
Just over a year ago the De Pree Center’s Third Third Initiative hosted a Zoom webinar called The Power of Purpose in a Pandemic. I was pleased to highlight the good work of Richard and Leona Bergstrom, founders of Re-Ignite, a Christian ministry that serves third third folk who want to live abundantly as they serve God and make a difference in the world.
If you had asked my last year whether we’d still need a webinar entitled “The Power of Purpose in a Pandemic,” I’d have offered a hopeful “No.” In September the number of COVID cases in the U.S. was declining. Of course that turned in the wrong direction with the giant COVID spike in December and January. Then, just when things were seeming to get better, the Delta variant raised its ugly head and we experienced another giant spike. As of today, the number of COVID cases in the U.S. is declining, though we are hardly out of the pandemic woods. Therefore, we still need “The Power of Purpose in a Pandemic.
I wish it weren’t so. But it is. I look forward to the day when I can do a follow up webinar with Richard and Leona. It might be called, “The Power of Purpose After a Pandemic.” I like that title. But we’re not ready for it yet
If you missed our webinar with Bergstroms, you can watch it here. If you joined us a year ago, you may want take a second look. Plus, if you haven’t checked out Re-Ignite, I’d encourage you to do so. The Bergstroms have some great resources there. They are two of the early pioneers in Third Third work, what they call “Third Calling.” I’m grateful for leadership, partnership, and wisdom.

Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders, and the founder of the De Pree Center’s Flourishing in the Third Third of Life Initiative. Previously, Mark was the Executive Director of the De Pree Center, the lead pastor of a church in Southern California, and the Senior Director of Laity Lodge in Texas. He has written eight books, dozens of articles, and over 2,500 devotions that help people discover the difference God makes in their daily life and leadership. With a Ph.D. in New Testament from Harvard, Mark teaches at Fuller Seminary, most recently in his D.Min. cohort on “Faith, Work, Economics, and Vocation.” Mark is married to Linda, a marriage and family counselor, spiritual director, and executive coach. Their two grown children are educators on the high school and college level.