Slideshow image

On the last Sunday in September 2007, early in the morning, a group of 50 people, 35 adults and 15 children, began to unload a trailer filled with custom made carts filled with equipment – stage lighting, a sound board, coffee supplies, pipe and drape, a full stage, mats for children’s ministry, cribs, rocking chairs and more. Like a well-trained army, they went to work setting everything up. It wasn’t the first time with a practice run the week before, but there was still a learning curve to deal with. Nervousness mixed with excitement were the feelings for the day. Would anyone show up? How would they respond? What did God have in store for each of us and this church that was about to launch to help reach the community of Old Town and beyond?

Fast forward 17 years. God has been so faithful to us over the years – 4 different locations: The Carmike Theater, North Forsyth High School, Old Town Elementary and finally our home at 3151 Reynolda Road. Hundreds of people have called Bridges Church their family. Thousands upon thousands of prayers have been answered. Lasting friendships have been formed, and we have grown in our faith and maturity as followers of Jesus. Over the 17 years, at least 85 people have been baptized – in pools, jacuzzies, and our baptismal – 85 people have put their faith in Christ and have entered into a life giving, eternity alternating relationship with Him that is worth everything ever done at Bridges and more. God has been so faithful!

Through our nonprofit, Bridging the Gap, tons (literally tons) of food and clothing have been distributed to those in need. Tens of thousands of meals have been handed out to students at Old Town Elementary through the Backpack program. (This year alone, each week 130 students receive 4 meals/weekend over 10 months of school – around 20,000 meals in 2024/2025). The Inspiring Hope Learning Center has 30 students in the program this year from 1st grade up through high school; students and their families are experiencing the love of Christ in very tangible ways and are hearing the Gospel and seeing it lived out. Hundreds upon hundreds of volunteers have given thousands of hours in service to make all this possible over the past 17 years, the Kingdom of God advancing and impacting the community we call home.

Over the years, we have taken missions trips to eastern Kentucky, Texas/Mexico and Arizona and dozens of Bridges people have been part of these trips carrying the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. There has been a global impact through our ministry partners Compassion International, The Mighty River Project, In the Gap, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Waypoint Church Partners, and Crossroads Ministries as over 10% of our yearly budget is invested in these organizations and their people and right here in our community.

From the very beginning, we have been about creating 3 venues for people to love God, love others and serve the world – our worship services, small groups, and ministry teams. These have been the heartbeat of the church and continue to be so as we gather together to serve, worship and build relationships. They are where we express what it means to be a family that loves, encourages, builds up, supports, and cares for one another.

Now, as we look into the future, we continue to trust God for all things. The church has always belonged to Jesus Christ; He is the head and center and always will be.

In the past couple of years, we have changed the way we express our mission – to help people find and follow Jesus – to ensure that He is central in all we do. We believe that Jesus is the answer that everyone needs. He alone is the way, the truth and the life and the best we can do for anyone is to help them find and follow Him. We are learning how to best disciple people and create disciples who make disciples. The mission of Jesus belongs to each of us, and we move forward to equip and prepare each person to be on mission with Jesus.

Only God knows what is ahead, but if all we have is what has come before then it has all been worth it. If only 1 person would have found salvation in Christ it would have been worth it! But God has done so much more.

So Happy Birthday Bridges Church. Thank you to everyone who has ever been part of the Bridges Family. We are grateful to each and every one of you and so glad God has brought us together in life through this amazing church family. God is so faithful!