Farewell From Boundless

Wow. I could write a book on what Boundless has meant to me. From the day in 2004 where I timidly hit "send" on an email to Candice Watters with my first article "Surviving Christmas Without Lord of the Rings," I felt an indescribable pull to the Boundless audience. I was single myself (and would be for the better part of the next five years), so I felt a kinship with the audience, who were navigating faith, life and purpose apart from the convention and comfort of family life. Sometimes it was very hard. And yet God displayed His nature beautifully in the vulnerable space that was singleness. Boundless and I went together like peanut butter and chocolate (my favorite candy combo). Although I had a day job as a children's magazine editor, I drew so much encouragement from walking with Christian singles across the country and across the globe. They were my people. Even after I married my husband, Kevin, in 2009, I loved discussing life, relationships, and faith with Boundless readers. Some would email me after a new blog post. Others said they'd made a major life decision, such as a move, a new relationship, or a breakup, based on one of my articles (Yikes!). Many said my writing felt like a window into their own lives, experiences, and feelings. What a privilege to be able to put on the page what so many of us felt and experienced. I truly loved every minute of it. It's been an interesting year for me. Along with this ending, I also lost my alma mater. Multnomah University (once Multnomah School of the Bible) permanently shut its doors this past year. A former classmate Carmen Imes wrote something about our school that I think applies to Boundless too: "I know graduates who are serving in refugee ministry; who have pioneered Bible translation work; who are pastoring, teaching backyard Bible clubs, and leading worship. Some are teachers or counselors. Multnomah’s legacy lives on in many evangelical churches in the Pacific Northwest, where its graduates are pastors and Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, and office managers. Some are professors and authors. Some are principals. One leads an apologetics ministry. Two of our classmates started the BibleProject, a ministry that is catalyzing Bible engagement for a whole generation. "Multnomah will live on as long as its graduates are carrying out its mission wherever we find ourselves. I’m convinced that things are not what they seem. Multnomah's legacy is alive and well." Boundless friends (and Lisa)—a similar list could be created about Boundless readers. Husbands and wives who followed God's path to marriage. Mothers and fathers who are raising godly children. Faithful singles who are living for Jesus and bearing fruit. Teachers, pastors, and missionaries who are spreading the gospel. Influencers in the secular workplace who are bringing salt and light to the darkness. Though Boundless is ending, like my friend said, I'm convinced things are "not as they seem." The legacy of Boundless is alive and well. All of you are that legacy. Thank you, Lisa, the Boundless team, and all the former editors and contributors. You have truly made a difference for multiple generations. May God continue to bless your investment.