Dear Bridge Family

This is a busy time in the life of our church with all kinds of exciting things going on in the coming weeks. Be sure to check-out some of the highlights and be sure to join us at The Bridge!

Water Baptism -- June 7^th

If you have trusted Jesus as Savior and have not yet expressed this decision publicly through water baptism, why not take part in our water baptism during our 11 a.m. service on Sunday, June 7^th?

You can sign-up at The Welcome Desk and when you do be sure to pick-up a testimony form on which you can tell about your decision to follow Jesus.  This is a great time of celebration for our church and a very significant event in the life of a believer.

Graduation Sunday -- June 14^th

On Sunday June 14th we will be recognizing students that are graduating from High School or College.  If you, or a son or daughter would like to be recognized, please sign up at the Welcome Desk in the lobby over the next few weeks and be sure to note which service you will be attending that day.

On Graduation Sunday we will read the names of our graduates and then invite them forward to receive a gift.  No caps or gowns, just the recognition you deserve!

God bless,

Bo

It's happening!

The other day I was walking around what I refer to us "the new church" and what Gary Dawson calls "The Bridge 2.0."  As I looked around at the massive building that is looking less and less like a grocery store and more like a place where we will one day be worshipping God and making disciples, I said to Happy Wade, "I still can't believe this is really happening."

 

I know I have lived through the entire process of negotiating the purchase of the building, of putting the need and opportunity before the church, of seeing God provide financing and then persevering through the challenges leading up to the closing, but it still seems a bit surreal.

 

But it really is happening.  We are close to finalizing the floor plan, which is coinciding nicely with having the building cleared in order to begin constructing walls. At this point we have no clear sense of how long this project will take, but I'm hoping we will occupy our new home by this Fall.

 

In the mean time, I would ask that you continue to pray for the safe and speedy completion of the project. The sooner we can move in the sooner we will not be saddled with both rent and a mortgage payment.  Yes, we are now making two payments each month.

 

For this reason, I would also ask that you do your very best to be a regular supporter of our church, in addition to doing whatever you are able to do with Operation Transformation (formerly called Possess the Land).

 

To date 177 individuals or households have made pledges totaling $432.419.  As of this past Sunday we have received $290,976 of that amount.

 

As amazing as this is, we are going to need every dollar of this and more in order to complete this project. The estimated cost of the renovation is around $1 million -- and that is just to get in.  The complete cost will likely be closer to $1.5 million.  So, if you have not yet made a pledge and wish to do so, there will be pledge forms in your bulletin this Sunday that you can complete and turn in.

 

If you have made a pledge, please do your best to fulfill that pledge while continuing to support the church with your regular tithes and offerings.

 

If you are unable to contribute financially at this time, please join in praying daily for the successful completion of this project.

 

Work Day at the New Church -- Saturday April 25

 

Another way you can help is by taking part in a work day at the new church.  On Saturday April 25 from 9 a.m. -- 1 p.m. we will be removing shrubbery and putting down fresh mulch in the nine or so islands in the parking lot.  Bring a rake and a shovel and join us for this very first sprucing up of our new property!

 

Adyn buttons

 

If you missed the chance to pick up an Adyn button after services last Sunday, more will be available this week.  Adyn is the son of Dan and Christina Weinel who is battling cancer.  Donations of $5 or more will get you a button and help the Weinel's with the incredible expenses they are incurring.

 

Last week more than $1,600 was donated for this worthy cause.  On behalf of the Weinel's and little Adyn, I want to thank you!

 

See you Sunday as we continue our study of Nehemiah and learn more about how God wants to rebuild our souls.

 

With much love!

 

Bo

Celebrate Easter with us at The Bridge!

Whatever you have planned this Easter Sunday, whether dinner with family or hunting Easter eggs with your kids -- don't neglect to celebrate the resurrection!

The resurrection is the single greatest even in all human history.  Yes, there would have been no resurrection had Jesus not been born on that first Christmas day, but it was His resurrection from the dead that validated His message and proved without a doubt His identity as God's Son.

It was His resurrection from the dead that purchased our salvation and gives us hope in the face of any and all circumstances.  It is because of Jesus' resurrection from the dead that we can face death without fear and live fully alive in this life, for as Jesus said in John 14:19;

                   "Because I live, you shall live also."

I invite you to celebrate the Resurrection with us this Sunday at The Bridge at any one of our three Easter services; 8:30, 10:00 or 11:30 a.m.

We have a very special service planned this Easter Sunday that will feature rousing congregational singing, as well as some special music and a message of hope that springs from the greatest comeback in history.

I hope to see you Sunday at The Bridge!

Bo

Raising the Roof

Our open house this past Sunday was a blast!  We had a great turnout of people anxious see our new building and to help us dedicate our future home to the Lord.

A big "thank you" to those who served up the hot dogs and cupcakes!

Check out some great photos on Facebook by going to www.facebook.com/thebridgenky

When you do, you will also see some changes as this week we removed the ceiling tiles as the first step in Operation Transformation.

Rebuilding our Souls

Speaking of transformation, that's exactly what God wants to do in us -- transform us more and more into the image of Christ.  This will be our focus as we continue our study of the book of Nehemiah this Sunday.  Just as the walls around the city of Jerusalem were broken and the gates burned with fire, so too is our soul when we come to Jesus.

But just as God sent Nehemiah to rebuild the walls around the city, God has sent His Holy Spirit to superintend the rebuilding of our soul.  This Sunday we will be talking about how hurts and trauma we have suffered serve to break down the human soul and how God purposes to bringing healing and restoration to every one of His children.

10,000 Bibles for Zimbabwe

In light of our drive to purchase and renovate our new building, we haven't been saying a lot about our campaign to provide 10,000 Bibles for Zimbabwe, nevertheless we are nudging closer to our goal.  Here is the current count.

Total Bibles donated or purchased:  7,511

We have until April 1^st to reach our goal so if you have some Bibles at home you are not using, or if you want to donate toward this campaign, please do so by the end of the month.

We are able to purchase complete Bibles for $1.30 each, so a gift of $130 would provide 100 Bibles.  A gift of $65 would provide 50 Bibles and a gift of $32.50 would provide 25 Bibles, most of which will be distributed to school children.

If you have not yet done something to help spread God's Word in Zimbabwe, please do so soon!

And do continue to pray for our Operation Transformation, asking God to provide all we need in the way of finances, safety and wisdom for the project.

Thanks so much!

Bo

" Where Every Person Matters "

Open House is On!

The parking lot has been plowed and the forecast is calling for a balmy 48 degrees and so our long-awaited Open House at the new building is on for 1 P.M. tomorrow.

Join us for hot dogs, cupcakes and an opportunity to see the "before" picture before we begin the transformation of this former grocery store into a place of worship.

The address of our future home is 7906 Alexandria Pike in Alexandria.  From the AA highway turn right onto U.S. 27 (Alexandria Pike) and go south 2.5 miles.  The building is on the left behind the Burger King.

"Let us rise up and build"

The quote above comes from Nehemiah chapter two.  It followed Nehemiah's survey of the broken down walls around the city of Jerusalem and his address to the city officials when he told them how the hand of God had been upon him and how the king had dealt favorably with him regarding his returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls.

The book of Nehemiah shows what can be accomplished when the Spirit of God leads His people to action and the people have a mind to work.  But the book of Nehemiah also shows how God wants to re-build the broken down walls of our individual souls once we are restored to Him.

Tomorrow at The Bridge we are kicking-off a new series called "Restoring Your Soul."  In this series we will follow the story of Nehemiah and show how the physical rebuilding of the wall around the city of Jerusalem illustrates the work God wants to do in the individual lives of His people.  Many times when we hear a testimony of someone's conversion, the story ends with the person coming to faith in Jesus.  Rather than this being the end of the story, this is just the beginning of what God wants to do in the life of that individual.

I believe this series will not only help you understand the work God wants to do to make you the person He created you to be, but will provide us with practical wisdom for the physical building campaign we are about to begin.

Bo

" Where Every Person Matters "

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