Tom DeVries

/in /by

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Tom DeVries has been affiliated with Bridge Street Ministries for the better part of 10 years now. In 2018 Tom retired from pastoring, after 17 years at Middleville Christian Reformed church. He started pastoring in 1978 under BSM’s own Adam Vanderwell’s grandfather Howard Vanderwell in Cutlerville. During his 40 years in ministry, Tom and his wife moved all over the world, living and pastoring in places like Papa New Guinea and Ohio. Tom was also a high school teacher for 3 years, which he has also retired from.

Next time you come into our space at 1034 Bridge Street, take a look at the wood tables in the café, Tom built those out of reclaimed wood from the renovation in 2020. He also built a large bar type table for our new north side youth center. Some of his hobbies include being a craftsman, building and flying remote-control planes, and tuning pianos. Tom is passionate about his family, Bridge Street Ministries (being a mentor and friend to Ryan over the years), and helping ministries with finances and structure. When asked why he joined the board, Tom said, “I’m passionate about the ministry, and I want to support as best I can.”.

Courtney Porte

/in /by

Courtney and her husband, Alex lived on Bridge Street and volunteered with Bridge Street Ministries for the first four years of their marriage. It was through their involvement with the BSM community that God ignited a compassion for individuals affected by poverty and a conviction to live in under privileged communities.

 

Today, Courtney, Alex, and their three children live and work on the west side of Chicago in the North Lawndale neighborhood. Courtney is from Zeeland, Michigan and graduated from Hope College with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications and Organizational Leadership.

 

Courtney has worked in a variety of nonprofit roles over the years. While in Grand Rapids, Courtney spent four years as a job coach for individuals with chronic mental illness. For two years, she was the Director of a church-founded community center in South Bend, IN and helped establish internal policies and a working Board of Directors. Currently she coordinates foundation and government grants for Breakthrough Urban Ministries, a community-based nonprofit on the west side of Chicago.

 

*Why did you choose to join the board?

“I am passionate about the mission and work of BSM. It was the people of Bridge Street Ministries and the neighbors on the west side that God used almost 10 years ago to spark a life-long direction for my husband and I towards pursuing relationships with people in poverty. I have great respect for not only the outcomes of the work done at Bridge Street Ministries, but the way in which the work is done is very Spirit-led. BSM and the bridge street neighborhood have given so much to me; I was excited to return to support the BSM mission as a Board member.”

George Moss

/in /by

George Dean Washington Moss III (born September 23, 1982) is an American Christian hip hop musician and founder of clothing line Oxen Apparel. He was a member of Christian hip hop group, UN1ON. His first studio album, All or Nothing, was released by Dreamlight Entertainment, in 2008, with the singles, “Whoa!” and “Transparent”. The subsequent studio album, It’s Time, was released in 2012, from Dreamlight Entertainment. He released, a single, “Set It Off”, in 2015, featuring Steven Malcolm.