George Weatherford

George Weatherford - Youth Outreach Coordinator

My name is George Weatherford. In over 15 years of working with youth and youth ministries, there is nothing I remember more than the connections I have made. In those same years, there is little that has brought me more joy than seeing people (youth and adults alike) energized by the work they do because they are utilizing their gifts and love what they do. As I begin the journey as Northwest Regional Youth Outreach Consultant, my vision is to see both of these things in abundance, to be part of a thriving, creative and energized network of youth programs in numerous locations across the region.

I, personally, got my start in youth ministry 18 years ago as a director of Youth and Family Ministries for Centers for Spiritual Living in Long Beach, California and as a regional for Namaste, as well as in the capacity (at the same time) of Southern California Regional Director of  Center for Spiritual Living’s Youth and Family Ministries.   It was a great opportunity to be able to creatively expand a youth program at my home church AND to visit and support youth programs across the region.  I learned in that time that there is no one model that fits all churches: location, proximity to other centers, church/program culture, size of centers and the size and history of programs (and even the lack of a current program) make needs very different across the region.  Interestingly, meeting leaders and programs where they are at became one of my favorite parts of my regional efforts. 

Having co-facilitated a Uniteen group at Unity of Portland for the past year, I have begun to learn again and to build new connections with other leaders in the region.  I very much look forward to continuing to help the network grow and become stronger; and I look forward to any and all of you whom I might meet and who might seek me out along the way.