Vision, Strategy, & Ministry
The Bridge Community Church
an independent, Biblical church
The Bridge exists to
Believe IT,
Grow IT,
Send IT!
The Bridge is Gospel-centered and missional. First of all, we base all of our doctrines and essential beliefs from the inerrant Holy Bible. And, the whole Bible is about Jesus. IT is about the Gospel. So, we are Gospel-centered. Our salvation – Believe IT – comes from Jesus (the Gospel), our faith and our growth in faith – Grow IT – comes from Jesus (the Gospel), and being missional – Send IT – (loving people and making disciples who make disciples with the Gospel) comes from Jesus.
The mission of The Bridge is based on the health of two relationships. These relationships are based on the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37-40) First of all, we believe that a healthy relationship with God (“love the Lord with all your heart, with all of your soul, and with all of your mind” vs. 37, NIV) begins with an acknowledgement that we are an unholy people – not capable to stand before a perfectly holy God on our own righteousness or works. It is only through the righteousness of Jesus Christ (his shed blood on the cross) that allows us to return to paradise with God. Therefore, we must BELIEVE IT. This IT is true Gospel – the Good News that the first “Bridge” has been provided to cross the chasm back to God. This relationship with Christ must be one of a submitted, repentant will allowing Him to change us and mold us into Himself or GROW IT. The second of the relationships (“love your neighbor as yourself” vs. 38, NIV) that are essential at The Bridge is the development of our missional cell families. We will “bridge” believers into small church families (cells) that will help mature them in the faith, take care of each others’ needs, and provide accountability to the high Biblical commitments of disciples. We SEND IT (this love for neighbor) by “seeing a need, meeting a need” both inside and outside the church. This entire endeavor is for Jesus Christ’s glory alone.
Strategy Statements: In other words — how do we get this done?
– BELIEVE IT – Through strong Bible preaching, teaching, and the conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit, people repent and believe the true Gospel.
– GROW IT — THE BRIDGE DESIRES THAT EVERY ADULT, YOUTH, AND CHILD PARTICIPATE IN A CELL FAMILY WHERE THEY:
1) GROW IN THEIR INTIMACY WITH GOD,
2) GROW IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE CELL, AND
3) REACH OUT TO PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CELL WITH HOSPITALITY AND BY CARING FOR THEIR NEEDS. BE MISSIONAL. MISSION CREATES DISCIPLES WHO MAKE DISCIPLES
In other words, these disciples will bear fruit.
I am transformed when I live in line with the gospel (Gal. 2:14)—avoiding both legalism and licentiousness—and pursuing the joy found in complete and utter surrender of my unrighteous life in exchange for His righteous life expressed graciously through every aspect of my Christian walk (Gal. 2:20).
– SEND IT – This discipleship and leadership is developed for the purpose of being a missional church through GAP AND our cell families. People are grown up to be sent out.
We commit to 3 weekly C’s that get all of this done.
1. We introduce people to the Gospel of Christ, they Believe IT, and we CELEBRATE Him in worship.
Great Commandment – “Love the Lord your God…” – Matthew 22:37-40
2. Then, we Grow IT in our CELL families and through mentorship.
Great Commission “Go and make disciples, …Teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded…” Matthew 28:18-20
3. Then, we Send IT as we CONTRIBUTE our services, finances, & mentorship to provide for the needs of many people.
Great Adventure – “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat” Matthew 25:34-36
The Five Ministries of The Bridge
While there are hundreds of other quality ministries out there that are worthwhile, we believe that God has called us to provide a focused effort on only five, so we will commit budget and staff to these. Individuals and cell families are welcome to take on other ministries, but the overarching Bridge will only have these five:
- Missional Cell – This is the major strategy of The Bridge to Believe IT, Grow IT, Send IT.
- Bridge Kids – Children and their correct understanding of Christ is huge to us.
- Youth – We must send these kids out into the world with the true Gospel.
- GAP – The Great Adventure Project will fill needs both locally and worldwide.
- Worship Celebration – Giving Christ his just due in worship with excellence and creativity is a must.
Why the name?
Jesus Christ is “the Bridge” to eternal life.
This church will “bridge” lost people to Jesus.
This church will “bridge” believers into their relational, missional cell families.
This church will bridge into the community and the world through the Great Adventure Project.
Bridge Staff
Tim Gray – Vision Director/ Lead Pastor – 573-760-4933, tim@thebridge-church.com
Ben Durbin – Teaching Pastor, 573-756-4585, bendurbin@gmail.com
Lance Smith – Formation Pastor, 573-518-4901, sm5fam@sbcglobal.net
Tammy Durbin – BRIDGE KIDS Director/Business Office, 573-701-2574, tammy@thebridge-church.com
Roger Durbin – Worship CELEBRATION Director, 573-701-2524,
Stan Jackson, Missional Cell Director, 573-760-5164, stan.a.jackson@gmail.com
Juanita Gray – Connection & Care Director, 573-701-1754, Juanita@thebridge-church.com
Sarah Winch – Youth Director, 573-631-7547, swinch@ncsd.k12.mo.us
Rob Pierce – Assistant Youth Director, 573-573-915-2367, roblpierce@hotmail.com
Angie Cagle – Administrative Assistant & First Impressions Director – 573-366-1289, acagle@thebridge-church.com
Josh Massey – Office Assistant – 573-518-1131, Drummer4pv@gmail.com
Seth Durbin – Band Director, 573-631-5953, sethdurbin31@gmail.com
Board of Elders
Jerry Wallen –Chair 573-760-1114, jwallen001@charter.net
Meg Reiner – 573-756-1963, megreiner@sbcglobal.net
Stan Reiner – 573-631-5032, stan.reiner@sbcglobal.net
Stan Jackson, 573-760-5164, stan.a.jackson@gmail.com
Tim Gray – 573-760-4933, tim@thebridge-church.com
The Bridge — How to Contact & Find Us
Worship Facility & Address:
The Bridge Community Church
301 Lore Lane
Leadington, MO 63601
Website: www.thebridge-church.com
Phone # — 573-518-1131
