Bill Hobbs: Urban Impact: Love, Equip, Empower

Knowing God was calling him to minister to inner-city youth, Founder Bill Hobbs left his professional golf career in 1988, which included working for Jack Nicklaus, to work with at-risk youth in Palm Beach County. In 1997, he and his wife, Kerry, took another leap of faith by starting Urban Youth Impact.

It all began with Bill simply loading up his old station wagon with food and sports equipment, finding an empty lot in the inner-city of West Palm Beach, and inviting neighborhood boys to play ball. Overtime Bill found himself with the same 25 boys every week who would ask each other, “I’m going ‘to Bill,’ are you going ‘to Bill?” Pick-up games led to camping trips and home visits, and many opportunities to share God’s love. Because of his consistent compassion for the community, Bill became a trusted friend and father figure to the residents of Tamarind Avenue – one of the highest crime-ridden neighborhoods in the county.

Because of Bill’s heart for these kids, his vision for how to reach them, a faithful group of committed supporters and God’s faithfulness, Urban Youth Impact has grown into a highly respected and trusted faith-based non-profit ministry. “Mr. Bill,” as he is known to thousands of urban youth, remains committed today to help raise necessary funds to support the leadership and vision of President/CEO Chris Tress, who was on the show last week. Bill has recently published a book that tells of his ministry journey titled Urban Impact: Love, Equip, Empower. Today, Bill discusses the pandemic, his lessons learned from his life's work, and his vision for the future.