It's Done!

That big whoosh sound you heard around noon this past Monday was me breathing a big sigh of relief as we closed on the purchase of the old Thriftway building in Alexandria.  After several delays and more than a few anxious moments we finalized the purchase of what will be our future home.  To God be the glory!

I want to thank everyone for the part you played in helping us take this huge step.  When we announced back in November that we were going to attempt to purchase this building and began our Possess the Land capital campaign, you responded by contributing over $65,000!  That day!  Since that time we have received $250,000 in donations and over $400,000 in pledges!

God then provided financing for the project that allows us to put all monies raised into the renovation of this building.  We estimate that the renovation project will take approximately $1,000,000 (that's $1 million in case you aren't accustomed to seeing that many zeroes).  And so, our Possess the Land campaign has now become Operation Transformation.

I chose the word "transformation" as opposed to "renovation," for this phase of the project, because transformation speaks of what God is going to do in the lives of the people that will be reached as a result of our taking this step.

When we are finished we will have over $2 million in the project, but will end up with a building worth much more.  Initial estimates are that the finished building will appraise for more than $4 million.  Not bad for a church that just eight years ago could place everything it owned in a step-van -- which we did after church every Sunday for a year at the Marquise.

While we rejoice at what God has done over these first eight years at The Bridge, our focus is on what we believe God is going to do through our church for years to come.  If you made a pledge to our Possess the Land Campaign - please do your best to fulfill that pledge and help transform this former grocery store into a church for the glory of God.

If you are unable to give financially to the project, please join us in praying for the success of the campaign and for the people God wants to reach through our church.  These are exciting days in the life of our church, and pivotal days, as well.  What we do over the next several months is going to not only change our church, but change lives for eternity -- which is why we exist.

Open House Postponed until March 8^th

Because the parking lot at our future home is currently encased in ice, we thought it wise to postpone our Open House until Sunday, March 8^th at 1 P.M. when hopefully we will be enjoying better weather.  Plan to join us then!

Whitney and Ali Clayton

As was announced a couple of months ago, Whitney, who has served as Executive Pastor at The Bridge, and Ali, who has directed The Crossing (4^th-6^th grades) are moving to Arizona where they will be starting a new church.  Despite my best efforts, they refuse to leave even one of our precious grandsons behind, even though Ali is expecting baby number three!  I know, how selfish!  Honestly, we know Whitney and Ali are following the Lord's leading in this major decision and applaud their obedience.

Because they have been such a vital part of our church and have been a blessing to so many, and because we believe in what they are doing, I would like to receive a special offering on their behalf this Sunday to help cover their moving expenses.  I don't know how much it costs to move a family of four (soon to be five) more than 1,800 miles -- but it can't be cheap.  Please come prepared Sunday to help in whatever way you can and let's show our appreciation for how they have served so faithfully at The Bridge these past four years.  (Excuse me now while I go cry!).

Your Servant in Christ,

Bo

" Where every person matters "

Are you ready for some news ?

After waiting anxiously all day for the 3:30 PM closing on the purchase of the building today, at around 2 PM I received word that one part of one document did not arrive in the mail as expected and so the closing has been postponed until Monday!  If this continues I think my hair is going to turn white.  Oh yeah, too late for that!

While this doesn't make a big difference in the grand scheme of things, it does mean we will have to delay the Open House we had scheduled for this Sunday until the following Sunday.  Anybody have a need for 300 hot dogs!

The closing may have been delayed, but it's not too soon to begin praying for the design portion of the project.  I am asking God to guide our architect in such a way that He will be the designer of our new building and that ours will be the first church ever built where there is not at single regret about the design.

Please pray also for the safety of every person who comes on the site and for the finances needed to complete the project.

We are going to get there!  We really are!

Perseverance is the name of the game.

See you Sunday!

Bo

Possessing the Land

After a few delays, a few tense moments and a whole lot of prayer, we are set to close on the purchase of our new building this Friday!  To be honest with you, it seems a bit dream-like to actually be days away from taking possession of a 44,788 square foot building on over 7 acres of land.  I'm fairly certain I'll be jolted into a fully awakened state when the first payment on this $1.1 million transaction purchase comes due!

But it will be worth it!  To have our own facility with all the room we will need and our very own parking lot, not to mention sufficient restrooms, will be wonderful, indeed.  Knowing that the gospel is going to sound forth from this place and lives are going to be transformed will make every prayer, every monetary gift and every bit of labor completely worthwhile.

I can't thank you enough for the way in which, you the friends and members of The Bridge have stepped up to help make this happen.  Certainly God provided the opportunity, but your response was crucial in bringing it to pass.

Open House

We don't have a lot of time to celebrate this milestone because there remains much to be done to turn this former grocery store into a church, but I do want to invite you to our very first Open House at our future home.  This Sunday at 1 P.M. we are going to open the doors and give everyone a chance to see the "before" picture of what will eventually be a wonderful church facility.

We are going to provide hot dogs, soft drinks and maybe a great big cake to celebrate the securing of this amazing building.  We will also take the opportunity to thank God for all He has done to make this possible and dedicate this building to Him.  I know great things for the kingdom of God are going to take place in and through this site.

I hope you will join us at church Sunday at either of our two services and then make the 9 minute drive to Alexandria to our future home.

In case you haven't been to the new building and need help getting there, here are the directions.

When leaving our current facility turn right (South) on the AA Highway.

Travel 3 miles to the Cold Spring/Alexandria exit and turn right on U.S. 27.

Travel 2.5 miles on U.S. 27 and our new building is on the left, just past the Speedway and directly behind the Burger King.  It's huge so you can't miss it!

The address is 7906 Alexandria Pike.

I hope you will join us for this historic event in the life of our church!

Yours for the kingdom!

Bo

Big News!

No, I'm not telling you what the "Big News" is in this newsletter.  You'll have to come to church tomorrow for that!

The Fear of the Lord Part 2

Be sure to join us for another installment of our study of the Fear of the Lord.  I'll be talking, in part, about what the missing component of most preaching in America today and why this "hole in the Gospel" is hurting and not helping people.

I appreciate so much a church that wants to hear the whole truth from God's Word.

Connect Group Launch

It's not too late to join a Connect Group.  You can do so tomorrow before or after either of our two services at 9 and 11 a.m.

See you tomorrow!

Bo

Building Update

Be sure to join us Sunday to hear the latest news on our purchase of the Old Thriftway building in Alexandria.

The Key to a Blessed Life

What sane, thinking person would not want to enjoy a long and productive life?

Who wouldn't want to enjoy the favor and blessing of God on their life?

Anybody up for riches, honor, provision, protection and friendship with God?

All of these and more are available to those who do one thing. That one thing is to fear God.  That's right, the Bible instructs us to fear God.  From Genesis to Revelation, from prophets to apostles and from the lips of Jesus Himself we are instructed to fear God.

Join us Sunday as we explore this nearly forgotten topic and see what it really means to fear God.

Connect Group Fair

We will also be highlighting some of the Connect Groups we are offering this semester.  Be sure to join the group that fits your needs at this time.  This is a sure way to grow in your relationship with God and others.

Oh, and in case you didn't know, we ignore bad weather at The Bridge! Come rain or shine, snow or ice, we'll be there! Hope you will be, too!

Blessings to you!

Bo

Blessed

This past Sunday was a great day at The Bridge.  After sharing a basic, but important message on how Jesus came to "show us the Father," between 8-10 people indicated a desire to surrender to Jesus and begin a life of following Him.

This illustrates how the human heart, when awakened by the Holy Spirit, yearns to be joined to the God who loves them.  I left church once again feeling so blessed to be able to share the greatest news in the whole world with people God loves so much that He gave His Son to ransom them from sin and make them His own.

I was also reminded of what a wonderful church we have, here at The Bridge.  Every week so many people serve joyfully in order to make it possible for others to come and receive ministry, connect with other believers, or to experience the new life Jesus alone provides.  I hope we never forget what a wonderful thing it is to be able to enjoy a church family the way we do at The Bridge.

Connect Groups

A very important way to begin to enjoy a family experience at The Bridge is by getting involved in a Connect Group.  Over the next few weeks we will be introducing the groups that will be offered in the upcoming semester.  Be sure to pick up a Connect Group catalog at church this Sunday to help you find the group that will be best for you -- and then be sure to make attending that group a regular part of your week. This will not only help you grow in your walk with Christ, but will connect you with some of the wonderful people God has brought our way.

You may also visit our website at www.thebridgenky.com, to see a list of all the groups being offered this semester.

"Abba"

In closing, I would like to share with you a devotional that goes along with what we talked about this past Sunday.  It's about how God is our "Abba," or "Daddy.

Matthew 6:9b, NASB

"Our Father who art in heaven,"

The name "Abba" simply means "Daddy."  No Jew would have dared address God in this manner, yet Jesus did it constantly, and He invites us to do so also.

Max Lucado writes, "One afternoon in old Jerusalem, as my daughter, Jenna, and I were exiting the Jaffa Gate, we found ourselves behind a Jewish family, a father and his three little girls.  The four-year-old fell a few steps behind and couldn't see her father.  'Abba!' she called.  The father stopped immediately.  Only then did he realize they were separated.  'Abba!' she called again.  Immediately the father extended his hand and the girl took it.  I made mental notes.  I wanted to see the actions of an 'Abba.'  The father held the girl's hand tightly as they descended a ramp.  When they stopped at a busy street, she stepped off the curb and he pulled her back.  When the signal changed, he led her and her sisters through the busy intersection.  In the middle of the street, he reached down, swept her up into his arms, and continued their journey."

Isn't that what we all need -- an "Abba" who will hear when we call, Who will take our hand when we are weak?  Who will guide us through the hectic intersections of life?  Who will swing us up into His arms and carry us home?  Well, the good news is we have one.  No matter what you are facing today, all you have to do is pause, reach up, and whisper, "Abba." He will be there for you.

From The Vine -- Bob Gass Ministries

Have a blessed day in Abba's care!

Bo

Preparing for the New Year

I hope you had a blessed Christmas and enjoyed a happy and safe New Year!

As we look forward to 2015, I believe it is safe to say that this will be an eventful year for us here at The Bridge.  A new building, a fairly massive renovation and all that goes with such an undertaking will no doubt stretch us, test our faith and give God plenty of opportunity to show Himself strong on our behalf.  So, how do we prepare ourselves for such a season?

That's what we'll be addressing in tomorrow's message.  We'll be talking about the one thing we can do as a church that will insure that we keep our equilibrium in the face of what will surely prove to be an eventful year.

Of course, what is true for us as a church is equally true for each of us as individuals.  The coming year will no doubt bring with it a mix of challenges, joys, as well as opportunities for God to show Himself strong.  The way we prepare for the challenges and opportunities of the coming year are the same for us as individuals as they are for us as a church.

So, don't miss tomorrow's message.  I'm quite sure you will find it helpful for whatever awaits us in 2015!

Blessings in Jesus!

Bo