Meet Greg Bird. Greg is the new Area Director for Rockford Young Life, a ministry established in the fall of 2014 to reach students at Rockford High School with the good news of Jesus Christ and to help them grow in faith.
What began with a weekly club for high schoolers to experience life as God designed it to be, grew a year later to also include a club for middle schoolers called WyldLife. Now they excitedly welcome Greg to direct their growing ministry.
Greg comes to this position with six years of Young Life experience having served on staff with the neighboring Northeast Grand Rapids Young Life area since 2014.
“Greg’s love for Jesus and his love for teenagers to know Jesus is undeniable. He is loyal, faithful, and patient,” shared Kaitlin Vermeer, Area Director for the NE Grand Rapids Young Life, who worked side-by-side with Greg for the past six years. “Greg exudes equal parts passion for the growth and health of Young Life in a community and compassion for kids who are hurting and searching to be known and loved.”
This compassion for kids comes from being that kid many years ago whose life had been transformed by Jesus and by relationships with caring, Christian adults who invested in him.
Greg grew up in Byron Center and graduated from Byron Center High School in 2010 and then Hope College in 2014. He is grateful for the strong family ties he has in the Grand Rapids area with his parents, his three siblings, and other family members living close by. In fact, it was his Aunt Libby and Uncle Lanny who hosted the very first club Greg attended as a high schooler.
Thinking back to that very first club, Greg reflects, “I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Both of my older brothers were going. It was the strangest thing I have ever experienced, but I was drawn to it because of the authentic difference in how Young Life leaders loved and cared for kids.”
Since that first club, Greg knows the deep value of authentic friendships and believes that Young Life’s time-tested method of going to where kids are, building relationships with them, and inviting them to follow Jesus is the best way to break through the shame that kids carry and to reflect the faithful presence of the Lord in their lives.
Every kid in Rockford and beyond deserves the chance to hear about and experience Christ’s love in terms they can understand. That’s what Young Life is all about.
Rockford Public Schools serves approximately 1,819 students in the high school and 550 students in the middle school.
“Rockford is one of our school systems that has many kids that have the potential to fall through the cracks because of the sheer size and number of students,” shared Matt DeHoog, Associate Regional Director for Young Life in the Greater Grand Rapids area. “Rockford has done an incredible job with their Developing Healthy Kids program and other initiatives that care for students. We see Young Life as one more organization that can care for kids and partner with what’s already going on.”
“Greg has already been connecting with parents and advocates in Rockford to understand the community. I cannot wait to see what God will do through his leadership,” said Matt DeHoog.
Greg will oversee the existing middle school club called WyldLife and plans to restart Young Life club in the high school very soon. Eventually, the goal is to also launch a Capernaum ministry for students and young adults with disabilities.
“My greatest hope and prayer is that Rockford Young Life grows beyond any individual or small group so that all kids will be reached for years to come,” shared Greg. “I also hope that Rockford Young Life grows into having thriving clubs—Young Life, WyldLife, Capernaum, YoungLives—and moves into Cedar Springs.”
More about Greg: Greg currently lives in East Hills with 4 of his good friends. In his spare time he loves reading (currently reading East of Eden), anything sports-related, playing board and card games, a little woodworking, and exploring.
Please join us in welcoming Greg Bird as Area Director of Rockford Young Life!
> Interested in supporting Rockford Young Life financially, partnering in prayer, or getting involved in some capacity? Contact Greg or visit their website.
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