Pastor Don Bird

Pastor Don in his church at Cañon City, CO.
Nationality: American. Occupation: Pastor in the United Methodist Church.Missions with C4C: Haiti will be my first one.

How long have you climbed? I'm not a “climber.” More of a hiker from time to time. Type of climbing you do: Hiking. Highlight of climbing career:None (yet).

How long have you been a Christian? 32 years. Type of ministry you are blessed to serve in: I am the Lead Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Cañon City, CO.

Favorite Scripture verse and why: 1 John 3:16-18. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” I believe this passage is the core of Christian life. Because of Jesus' great and sacrificial love for us, we are shown what it means to love each other. The love of Christ is rooted in mercy and grace and manifested in obedience and sacrifice. We are to love Christ and each other in the same way. If we truly love Christ, our actions and the Truth that lives in us will be made real, even unto the least of these.

Special “God moment” you’d like to share: There are many and it may sound cliché, but the birth of my children. It reminds me that God is in the creation business and He is continually making all things new. It reminds me of His ability to show up in the simplest and most delicate of life experiences.

What does Climbing For Christ mean to you? It is an opportunity for God's love to be made real in the lives of those who do not know unconditional love and grace. It is also an opportunity for God to build the Kingdom by using the various gifts and talents of those in mission and those who live in Haiti. Our work through C4C is to share the light and love of Christ, and empower and equip the Body of Christ in Haiti to be about the Lord's work. Not only do we have the opportunity to teach a village how to fish to survive in this world (hygiene training, working the land, etc.), but how to fish for people and have an eternal impact in their communities.