Greg and Emily Bryan

Greg and Emily Bryan - Campus Director

Greg's God Story:

As I reflect on my life I feel like the athlete who once said "I was born on third base, but I didn't hit a triple."

I grew up going to church but I was not a Christian. We stopped going to church when my parents’ marriage began to unravel. My parents divorced when I was a freshman in High School. During this time I became bitter towards God and even doubted His existence. I wondered how a loving God allow so much pain in our family. My bitterness turned into anger which came out with my relationship with my older brother. One time my brother made me so mad I grabbed a wood baseball bat and chased him into his room. With his door shut I beat the door until it was severely cracked and my sister threatened to call the police on me. I also struggled with a low self esteem. At school, I was picked on sometimes because I was the skinny kid. I spent most of my time listening to music and hanging out with my friends causing mischief like hitting golf balls at cars (what was I thinking?.) BOTTOM LINE: I knew there was a void in my life that needed to be filled, but nothing I did seemed to fill the hole in my heart.

Around this time, my brother became a Christian and I watched his life change. At first, I thought 'religion' changed my brother’s life but as time went on, I realized he had a personal relationship with God through Christ. One time, my brother and I were playing ping-pong. During the game, he tried to explain to me how I needed Jesus in my life. I got so mad; I threw my ping pong paddle across the table at him (I missed) and ran upstairs. About this same time, one of my best friends, who was also a Christian, invited me to go to Young Life meetings at his house. I went to meet girls but I ended up meeting God instead. By watching my brother’s faith and attending these Young Life meetings I learned that God loved me so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross to pay for my sins. I learned that God wanted to have a personal relationship with me. In June of 1983 at a Young Life camp in Colorado it all came together for me. Late one night I sat under the stars, confessed my sins and invited Christ into my life. Finally, I realized that only God could fill the void in my heart. He filled the void in my heart that night.

Trusting Christ was by far the most important decision I’ve ever made. I remember riding home on the bus from Colorado listening to U2. All my favorite songs took on new meaning to me because of the change God did in my heart. I didn’t want to fight with my brother any more. God replaced the anger and bitterness with His peace and love. My self esteem changed, knowing that God loved me for who I am, gave me a new confidence that I didn’t have before.

The year after I trusted Christ, I returned to the same YL camp and got to see God change my friends lives. That led me down a path of devoting my life to helping others to know Christ and make Him known. Because of God's grace flowing in and through me, I am blessed indeed! I feel like I've hit a grand slam home run without even swinging the bat.

By His grace and for His glory,
Greg Bryan

Greg's Education:
1989 - B.A. Business Management - Kent State
1992 - M-DIV.- Columbia Biblical Seminary

Ministry Experience:
1997-present - Missionary with The Navigators
2002-present - Kent State
1997-2002 - Miami University
1993-1997 - Assistant Pastor: Valleyview Chapel
1992-1993 - Pastoral Intern: The Chapel
Summer 1991 - Intern: Hudson Community Chapel