The Presence Foreword by Dr. Leif Hetland

See what Dr. Hetland had to say about “The Presence” Series

I was so honored when a spiritual father to Grace and I, Dr. Leif Hetland was willing to write the forward to The Presence Series. We’ve had many encounters under his ministry in the Presence of God. To learn more about Dr. Hetland’s ministry go to https://www.leifhetland.com. To order the first volume in The Presence Series: The Lord of the Presence go to Amazon (affiliate link). Enjoy this word from Papa Leif:

"Come and see," Jesus invited in John 1:39. Eager to start a new life with purpose, John and Andrew are introduced to Jesus by John the Baptist. As they approach, Jesus turns and asks, “What do you want?” They respond by asking Him, “Where do you live? What is home to you?” Jesus replies, “Come and see.” This invitation extends to us each day—to be with Jesus, follow Him, become like Him, and learn to live and love as He did.

Photo by Luca Onniboni on Unsplash

After years of a busy schedule, I recently graduated with a doctorate. During a season of fatigue, the Holy Spirit whispered, "Leif, hurry is one of love's greatest enemies." It’s challenging to be fully present with His presence when we’re constantly in a rush. The next invitation was clear: to slow down enough to catch up with God (1 John 4:16 reminds us, “God is love”).

Our Heavenly Father calls us to a major upgrade in the quality and depth of our life and ministry. As I daily practice His presence, I was asked to write the foreword for this devotional about experiencing the presence of God. I first met John Hammer in 2004 when Dr. Randy Clark invited me to teach at the first healing school in Seattle. John and I instantly connected as family and friends. Today, Pastor John and his wife, Grace, lead a Kingdom-focused church and movement that transforms lives, impacts regions, and disciples nations. It has been my honor to serve as one of John’s spiritual fathers, observing his deep commitment to hosting the presence of Jesus. His journey in sonship and leadership serves as an example of what it means to walk with the Father and love others, defining the promised land God calls us to occupy. John's passionate, infectious love for the Lord has always inspired me.

John carries a “love virus” that can only be caught in the secret place, where he learns to host God’s presence. I have seen him live this message, even as he walked through the valley of the shadow of death. Through difficult seasons, I witnessed Jesus preparing a table for him in the presence of his enemies. In all circumstances, John found sustenance in God’s presence, making it a daily practice that leads to wholeness and holiness. John, your guide on this journey, is raw, real, relational, relevant, radical, and a revivalist.

The daily bread John serves is rich with power, love, and wisdom. I challenge both you and myself to invest 15 minutes each day in encountering God—to know Him, experience Him, and meet Him face to face. May we experience His nearness, His heart, His nature, and His ways, allowing love to become the mark of our true maturity. After encountering Him, we then encounter who we are—our identity, potential, values, desires, gifts, and limitations. These all begin to reflect the image of the One we behold, and He is the One we are becoming and will release to the world.

May your heart be hungry and your mind open as John, like a master chef, prepares daily meals at the table of God’s presence. The best of who you are will only be discovered in His presence. Jesus will be your host, inviting you to His table where the cup of life overflows. John will serve you the daily bread, freshly prepared by Jesus. Come and see, and come and taste.

Dr. Leif Hetland

President of Global Mission Awareness

Author of The Love Awakening

*From the Foreword to The Presence Series - Buy Volume 1: The Lord of the Presence (affiliate link)