Richard Dahlstrom

As Pastor of Bethany Community Church in Seattle, Richard teaches with vision of "making the invisible God visible" by calling people to acts of service and blessing. It's working, as a wilderness ministry, homeless shelter, and community meals that serve those living on the margins are all pieces of Bethany's life. "We're being the presence of Christ" he says, "and inviting everyone to join the adventure." Many have, making Bethany one of the fastest growing churches in America in 2009 according to Outreach Magazine.

As International Bible Teacher with Torchbearers Fellowship, Richard is passionate about helping people live their lives fully, as the beautiful adventure it's intended to be. He teaches in Europe, North American, Central America, and Asia, pouring his life into students from dozens of nations.

His first book "o2: Breathing New Life into Faith", re-released as “Breathing New Life into Faith”, is a study in the classic spiritual disciplines which enable vibrancy, health, and the capacity to live with grace and beauty. It was selected by Publisher's Weekly as one of the 10 best religious books of 2008. His next book, due for publication in 2011, will invite readers to awaken to their calling as "artisans of hope", uniquely endowed to bless the world by offering splashes of color in the midst of so much that is grey. This book has been updated and re-released as “Breathing New Life into Faith”

His most recent book, “Forest Faith”, invites people to see, believe, and declare through prayer and meditation, that the life of the Creator is everywhere - above us pouring down gifts, beneath us, rooting us in Christ’s life, around us as we find Christ’s life in other people, and within us, empowering us to embody hope and light in the world.