Today’s Advent Sharing comes from Rev Ben McBride. He is the director of City Team Ministries . Located in the heart of downtown Oakland, the doors of the mission are open to the city’s poor, hopeless and homeless. Together, the staff and volunteers in Oakland are working towards an empowered, changed and new Oakland. Ben is a passionate advocate, pastor, bridge-builder and peace-maker working with the disenfranchised, the OPD, the Church and the larger community of Oakland for justice, peace and hope. He often brings me a deep sense of excited hope. In keeping with the theme of listening in Advent and talking with each other, here’s her video response to the questions : What gives you hope these days? and What do you think we should be talking about?