Our Mission

The Catholic Church has the graced privilege of being the Body of Christ. In Her wisdom, she communicates God’s plan for salvation that flows from Christ’s life, death, and resurrection and breathes life into the present day. Forged aims to unpack this mystery and enable it to form the way we operate. Simultaneously, we recognize it is a challenge to step into this divine reality. It takes real work to cleave to the Lord and his bride, the Church. In Forged, we value virtuous friendship and its ability to facilitate iron sharpening iron. Our goal is to strengthen one another through accountability and masculine vulnerability.   Together, through faith and friendship, Forged desires to shape boys into the men God is calling the to be.

Meet the Team

Steve Norman Director of Forged

  • Steve Norman serves as the Director of Forged, a ministry that aims to form young men into missionary disciples of Christ. Steve moved to Ann Arbor with his wife, Katey, and two children, Jeremiah and Kateri, from Stratford Ontario. He served as a high school campus minister in Canada and graduated with his Master of Arts of Theology Degree from the Augustine Institute in Denver Colorado.

Daniel Bischoff Communications Coordinator

  • Daniel Bischoff is the Director of Communications for Forged. He graduated in 2023 from Ave Maria University with a bachelor's in Theology, and has spent time in formation with the Central Province Dominican Friars. He has also spent time at Spiritus Sanctus Academy, teaching Theology and Philosophy to the middle school. He is passionate about sharing the love of God with young people. 

Fr. Joshua Fons Chaplain

  • Father Joshua Fons serves as the chaplain of Forged. He grew up at Christ the King Catholic Church, and has served for many years at Pine Hills Boys Camp. He studied for his Bachelors in Philosophy and Catholic Studies at St. John Vianney College Seminary, and has a Masters in Divinity from Sacred Heart Major Seminary as well as a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology for the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He also spent 4 years as a full-time missionary with FOCUS, evangelizing and discipling college athletes. He was ordained a priest in 2024, and now is the Parochial Vicar of St. Patrick Parish in Brighton, MI.

Aidan Avery
Worship Coordinator

  • Aidan Avery serves as the Director of Marketing & Worship with Forged, as well as the director of worship at Pine Hills Boys Camp. He has grown up in the community, been involved with several ministries at Christ the King Catholic Church and is an experienced worship leader involved with Encounter Worship. He is currently studying for his bachelor’s in theology through Holy Apostles College and Seminary online.

Jacob Gjernes Discipleship Coordinator

  • Jacob serves as the Discipleship coordinator for Forged Ministry, a mission committed to equipping young men to follow Christ with courage and conviction. He is also the Director of Youth Discipleship at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ypsilanti, where he is dedicated to forming young people as missionary disciples of Christ. He earned a Certificate in Catholic Theology from the Augustine Institute and has also completed training in real estate, where he continues to work alongside his ministry. He is married and blessed with a beautiful daughter, whose joy inspires his vocation as both a husband and father. 

Blaise O’Donohue Intern

  • Blaise O’Donohue serves as the Forged intern, working with the team to help middle and high school students encounter Christ and grow in their faith. Having grown up in the community, he is grateful for the opportunity to serve the next generation. Blaise is currently pursuing a degree in accounting with the goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).