Vision Statement
We exist to help students forge a path towards their identity in Jesus.
Mission Statement
We accomplish this by serving, growing in the word of God, forming deeper relationships and reaching students around them for Jesus.
Four Pillars
Show
Serving on Thursday nights at Divergent Youth and on Sunday mornings at Verge Church.
Grow
Bible Studies/Follow groups, classes designed for students on the first of the month & one on one connections with their youth pastor and youth leaders.
Know
Different fun events, intentional hangouts as a youth group & allowing for deeper relationships between students who are involved with Divergent Youth.
Go
Fundraising for missionaries and local charities, getting involved with extracurricular activities within schools and participating in community events as Divergent Youth.
Image Gallery
Our Team
Juan Valdez
Youth Director
Juan Valdez was born and raised in a Catholic family in Kalamazoo, MI. He gave his life to Jesus personally when He was 17 years old. Juan graduated from high school and attended Word of Life Bible Institute in New York to study the Bible for an entire year. He met his wife Tara at Word of Life. After Word of Life, they attended the University of Valley Forge for a year before going full-time into the workforce in the construction industry. He currently is a small business owner. They have a calling to serve in youth ministry, evident over the past 15 years, where Juan and Tara have been active leaders in youth ministry locally before coming to help plant Verge Church. Juan and Tara have three energetic kids Cattleya – 9, Cato- 7, and Caden -5. Juan has always had a passion for student ministries. He is a relational leader who cares about students growing in their faith as they have fun growing up. Juan and Tara come to Verge as experienced leaders working with students. They have a vision for the students at Verge Church, and Juan is excited to serve as youth director at Verge.
