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TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

This FINAL encore experience will be unlike any other. Because like everything we do, it's been "reimagined" from beginning to end. It's not a virtual or hybrid event. It's not a conference. It's not a seminar, a workshop, a meeting, or a symposium. And it's not your typical run-of-the-mill everyday event crammed with stages, keynote speeches, team-building exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and all the other conventional humdrum. Because it's up close & personal by design. Where conversation trumps presentation. And where authentic connection runs deep.

A Divine Gift – The Sacred Seat

The renovations to the old church were now complete – updated heat and air conditioning, new sound system, better lighting, a new organ, and deep cleaning of the beautiful woodwork. This Sunday, the congregation would celebrate the completion of the project that was done over three years so the services would not be interrupted and each phase could be paid for in full so the little church would not be in debt.

So here it sits. One pew that had to be removed to make room for all the changes. I walked around it – my hand feeling each imperfection – thinking about those who had sat on this sacred seat over it’s 100 years of service to our Father. A baby being dedicated by proud parents – a young boy squirming during the ‘long’ preaching – young boys and girls preparing to be baptized – a couple starting to fall in love and holding hands – mothers crying as their children exchange vows of undying love – tears staining the wood as a family says it’s final goodbye to a loved one. This old pew deserves something better than to be hulled off as junk.

Suddenly, I had an idea – a wonderful, God-inspired idea. I made a phone call and before long, the old pew was on its way to it’s new life – a resurrection for this faithful servant.

Sunday, as I finished making the announcements, I looked up and smiled as I began to share my surprise.

“As you know, we had to remove one pew during our renovations. I just could not allow it to go to the dump. So, I called some of our deacons and today, we have a gift for you. The deacons cut the old pew into crosses that each of you will receive. Now, wherever you are, you will always have the church with you – for these crosses represent every pray lifted up by the Body of Christ.”

Len Bernat
Len Bernat
LEN is a leader groomed by 20 years of molding and shaping by some of the finest leaders in the United States Marine Corps. Their guidance helped Len realize his full potential as he moved from an enlisted Marine to becoming an Officer of Marines. Len became known for being the leader who could turn any lackluster organization into a strong, functional unit. Upon his retirement, Len worked in several positions before finally starting a second career in governmental procurement. His experience and leadership skills enabled him to be recognized as the 2011 Governmental Procurement Officer of the Year for the Governmental Procurement Association of Georgia and opened doors for him to teach at many of the association’s conferences. Len was also called to the ministry and was ordained at Ashford Memorial Methodist Church in November of 1999. Today, Len is the Pastor of Maxeys Christian Church in Maxeys, Georgia. Len has been married to his wife, Hazel, for 36 years and they have three daughters, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Grab your copy of Len's new Book – Leadership Matters | Advice From A Career USMC Officer. Using his life experiences as examples, Len takes the eleven principles of leadership and the fourteen traits every leader should possess—which he learned during twenty years in the Marine Corps—and teaches the reader how he was molded and shaped by some of the best leaders the Corps had to offer.

DO YOU HAVE THE "WRITE" STUFF? If you’re ready to share your wisdom of experience, we’re ready to share it with our massive global audience – by giving you the opportunity to become a published Contributor on our award-winning Site with (your own byline). And who knows? – it may be your first step in discovering your “hidden Hemmingway”. LEARN MORE HERE


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