“Thank you Lord Jesus for all that you have done for me.”
Since being blessed to become a part of The Bridge Family, I have a closer walk with our Lord. To know, and see and feel that the Holy Spirit is speaking to us and walking with us has become so evident in ways I did not know before. I am so blessed by the love that is shared in services and community groups. It is so uplifting as it wraps the love of Jesus around us. To hear the Holy Spirit working through the voices of the praise team and the congregation, preparing our hearts for the message He has laid on the heart of our Pastor at times is nearly overwhelming. Thank you Lord Jesus for all that you have done for me.
“I felt we were living in community like the early church..."
About 6 months ago I became closer to a friend at our church due to both of us going through some difficult circumstances. This caused us to need each other's support and understanding. It has been a rare experience for me in which I felt we were living in community like the early church…the body of Christ streaming live!! Much was shared, needs were met and there was a deep experience of the love of God in daily life. We spent time eating, cooking together, praying for each other, helping each other and spending time together even if it were just running errands. I sensed God's Spirit leading in conversations in which we shared what God was teaching us or had taught us. This all brought me to know God's love in a deeper way and it felt like a taste of heaven where love was greater than a lot of things. It strengthened my faith and has drawn me closer to God whose timing is perfect and His plans for us our beyond our imaginations.
“With God first, my husband was able to overcome a life-long addiction, our failing marriage has been restored and through our faith and testimonies we have been able to lead other friends and family members onto their walk with Christ.”
When we decided to refocus our lives and put God at the center we knew our first step was finding a church home. We tried out many churches but just wasn't finding the right fit. Our first Sunday at the Bridge was a wet rainy one, not knowing anyone we were welcomed at our vehicle by two handsome boys who escorted us in by umbrella. We thought, wow how nice! We found our way to the donut table and wondered if it was a special Sunday or if Duke’s Bakery donuts would be awaiting every Sunday! If so, SOLD! All joking aside - from the first moment we walked through the doors something about The Bridge was different. The people were welcoming but not intrusive or pushy. I did not feel as if I was on a used car lot instead I felt God’s word like it was alive and all around us. Getting in our car that Sunday my son and I simultaneously looked at each other and said we think we found "the one.”
Since our time at the Bridge I have seen God at work in so many different aspects of our lives. Not long after we started faithfully going to church every Sunday as a family my oldest son said, " I'm so happy we decided to start going to church. Our family feels so much happier." After seeing such positive changes in my kids I honestly had been feeling such a guilt and sadness that I hadn't brought my family to Jesus sooner but in THAT moment I knew it didn't matter how long it had taken. God only cared that we were there! With God first, my husband was able to overcome a life-long addiction, our failing marriage has been restored and through our faith and testimonies we have been able to lead other friends and family members onto their walk with Christ.
The community groups have been an enormous blessing in our lives. They have allowed us to get to know other people on a very personal level. Not just through the word and discussion but talking about real life issues and problems and helping each other through them. I have found such relief in being able to trust and confide in people who truly care about us and want us to succeed in our marriage, our family and most importantly our walk with Christ. These people will remain life-long friends of ours and in every essence one big extended family. Just like family when one us fall the others are there to help, when one of us celebrate we celebrate together. I'm so thankful and blessed to be a part of this group of amazing yet just ordinary people living out Gods command to us...love him first and love each other.