I Met Gov. John Kasich and This Happened
Don't Stop Sharing Your Story
About a year ago, through what can only be described as serendipity, kismet or providence, I was introduced to the former Governor of Ohio and Presidential Candidate, John Kasich, through my old friend, Paul Pastor.
Paul and I hadn’t seen each other since before that “time that shall not be named.” I have always adored and respected Paul, so this chance encounter was both a gift and a reminder that the world is full of good people. Paul and I got caught up on our stories and at the end he said, “I am editing former Governor John Kasich’s new book and I think he would like to hear the story of your organization: Children’s Literacy Project.
I of course said, “yes,” all the while assuming that nothing would come of it. I mean seriously, what does a Presidential candidate want with an average-joe like me living in an all but forgotten city on the far coast of what can aptly be identified as “the utter most parts of the world.”
Well, Governor Kasich did call. He was so taken with our story of neighborly love through literacy that he made our story the subject of one of the chapters of his just released book: Heaven Help Us. I’m not making this up.
So, that’s it. Right?
A chance encounter in a Portland pub → A tender exchange of stories → An act of generosity by an old friend → and… magic.
Okay, enough about me. Let’s talk about my new friend, John Kasich. I am honored to support his work, as he has been so generous to promote ours.
HEAVEN HELP US: How Faith Communities Inspire Hope, Strengthen Neighborhoods and Build a Better Future
Learn More: https://www.zondervan.com/p/heaven-help-us/
Buy Now: Click Here
From Chapter 10: Tony Kriz: The Power of Partnership
“Beauty inspires,” Tony says, echoing that all-important point. “It says to these kids that they matter, that society hasn’t forgotten about them… And it’s a big deal that, with our emphasis on literacy and other academic programs, those teachers are able to fully address the needs of their students.”
Few people are better poised to speak to the value of religious institutions in civic life than former Ohio governor and presidential candidate John Kasich, who is both a public servant and a man of faith.
In Heaven Help Us, Kasich reminds us through gripping stories that faith communities are vital to healthy communities and our nation. Heaven Help Us offers:
Unforgettable stories of people making an extraordinary difference because of their faith communities
Insights into what sets faith institutions that transform their neighborhoods apart from those that don't
Practical ideas for making positive changes in our own communities
Hope to dream about what is possible in our country instead of what is impossible
Encouragement that religion can bring us together rather than break us apart
As Kasich shows us, faith institutions can magnify the power of an individual in ways that almost always exceed the expectations of the person who jump-started the initiative in the first place.
More than a collection of "feel-good" stories, Heaven Help Us reminds us of the resourcefulness and ingenuity of our fellow congregants and religious leaders that make it possible to turn our good intentions into even better outcomes.
Good is happening in our country.
Join in.
Meet the Author
John Kasich is a national leader who has spent a lifetime bringing people together to solve big problems and leave the world around them just a little bit better than they found it. As the 69th governor of Ohio (2011–19), Kasich led the Ohio Comeback. In his time as governor, he established Jobs Ohio, a first-of-its-kind economic-development entity, and helped Ohio diversify its economy and create approximately 500,000 jobs. Governor Kasich ran for president in 2016 with a message focused on unifying Americans rather than dividing them, championing the great potential of our citizens to make positive impacts in their own communities.
Governor Kasich is the New York Times bestselling author of Courage Is Contagious, Stand for Something, Every Other Monday, Two Paths, and It’s Up to Us. Today, he runs the Kasich Company strategic consulting firm and serves as an analyst on NBC/MSNBC. He is also a fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, and the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.