I have been receiving several comments from people who attended the launch of Bridge Church this past Sunday that I want to share with you. When I read these comments of how God is moving, it has brought me to tears. The launch of Bridge Church is all about God, not me or anyone on our launch team. It is our goal and has always been our goal to start a church that brings glory to God, not to individuals and not to a denomination.
Hi Jeff,
I have to say that Rebecca and I were quite ecstatic with the turn out to the 1st service. It was something to witness the power of God to bring that many people to a “school” for worship and then to read in your email that several people are recommitting, that’s great! As I think about it more and more, I find it a pleasant irony on today’s societal think – separation of church and state (which obviously includes public school systems) – that we are literally bringing GOD back into to the schools!!!
We enjoyed the music selection that Darin had compiled; the new songs to us were refreshing with some older more familiar ones. He truly seems to have that “knack” or “flare” that seems to spark the congregation into participating – this is definitely something that is lacking in many of the churches in the area. It is more enjoyable and passionate when the congregation is signing together rather than standing around like it is a concert. Kudos to Darin!
The sermon was well delivered and the use of the movie clip was excellent. It made both of us think about what we want from life; it got us talking several hours later about our thoughts. There are several ministers in the area that can deliver a good sermon, but few actually can engage us in the sermon as you did and then have us thinking about it hours later – and even today! To me that is a mark of a good delivery.
Our family has been very frustrated / disappointed with the Christian community in the immediate area (Perry/Madison). We have “sampled” many churches /denominations trying to find that “one” church that just has that right feeling. Many churches in the area struggle with the topic of ministering to the immediate community and tend to be very traditional in those aspects: church on Sunday, kid’s night one day of the week, 1 week for VBS in the summer, collecting money to support sending people to missions abroad…. This maybe “pigeon holing” the area churches because there are some rather outgoing ones: Crossroads Community and Cornerstone, but they still lacked in either congregational unity or adequate youth programming for Courtney. Rebecca and I have been praying during the last 2 years that God would “…bring us a church…” that we could fit into and begin to grow. Of course, as we prayed we thought that he would open our eyes to a church somewhere in the Cleveland area forcing us to travel somewhat to attend. And once again the power of God has been revealed to me again witnessing the words in Luke 11:9 (delivered in your sermon), he literally brought our family a church!! He brought you and the gang to Perry. I find this ultimately amazing that as we were praying you guys were planning – fulfilling both our needs. WOW!
What a great day,
Kevin
Jeff,
I just attended your grand opening service and I thought it was great. My husband and I have been involved in 4 different churches in the area and we were looking for something new and fresh. We think we might have found it. Thank you for reaching out to a dark community.
Have a great day,
Teresa
Jeff,
Thanks for your thoughtfulness. I was very excited to be part of something so fresh and servant based. The mission for the Bridge is so real and so honest. I am confident in Christ that it will be a ministry with impact to touch the lives of those who have had their vision for God shadowed by the motions of religion. I am very interested learning more about the opportunities be involved and to serve. I am not sure I will be able to make the meeting this Wednesday as I am scheduled to work late. Next Tuesday, I have a school board meeting for Painesville Twp(I am a board member). Please know that we are planning to be in attendance this Sunday and if there is something that we are able to help with, please do not hesitate to let us know.
My husband and I appreciate the way that the youth and leadership have reached out to our son. He is a bit surprised by the welcome and encouragement that he received. We have discussed the message from Sunday and his experience at youth group. He is planning to attend WinterJam Saturday if we are in town. This is exciting!!! Thank you.
Our prayers for outreach efforts to be blessed and hearts to be prepared are with you and your leadership. Thank you again for taking time to reach out to our family.
Pam and Chuck (and Blake)
In my life I have had the privilege of “witnessing” some very historical moments. I’ve seen some great moments in sports (that for the most part were forgotten by the next season); I’ve watched great moments in politics (which were old the next week – because that’s how American politics work); I have watched great historical moments to the world, such as the tearing down of the Berlin Wall. All of them, extraordinary events that don’t happen every day. Today, I had the opportunity to actually be a part of an extraordinary event – the launch of Bridge Church at Perry.
It’s not like Bridge is the first new congregation to open its doors. What is unique is that Bridge is a different kind of church. You will find that Bridge Church will be characterized by unselfishness, serving others in and around the Perry community. Serving others is part of the Bridge DNA. People are taken back by things we have done – and it will continue to be that way. We serve others because it helps us from becoming inward focused. When we focus on ourselves we become a country club. That’s not Bridge Church.
Another thing that’s different is the teaching. Church should be a life learning center, not a place to exercise ritual. Bridge Church will share God’s Word – and provide life application. In fact, the sign above the door says “learning center” (the school was so nice to let us borrow that!). Plan and simple – you will grow. Your kids will grow too. Our dedicated staff and our KidMo curriculum will have YOU excited about what your kids are learning. Don’t be surprised if you start singing kids songs!
I hope you are as excited about Bridge Church at Perry as I am. It is an honor to be part of something that will last beyond my lifetime. I know it’s early to claim that – but I believe so strongly in what we’re doing, I just know that today was a history making day – a day that will change Perry forever by God’s grace, for God’s glory.
–Patrick