Bridge Ministries Inc

There are many organizations that are working to educate students in a formal setting. But there are very few organizations that are there for students during their free time. By providing a well supervised, safe alternative in our community, The Bridge helps to enhance the region's teen health by filling the gap in the existing safety net for teens during their freely chosen social time. The more our communities learn to reinforce positive behavior in students throughout their everyday lives, even in their free time, the more effective we will be at helping them transition into healthy adults. It is one thing to educate a student about abstinence at school during the light of day. It is quite another to provide a place where these same students can explore their social needs during their free time, in a supervised youth center rather than in an empty home or parked car. All students are welcome at The Bridge regardless of race, religious belief, economic status, citizenship, gender or disability. And we make it a point not to force our beliefs about Christ onto kids. We are simply following the model that so many missionaries have followed for years. If you are going to reach another culture, sometimes you have to meet a need in that culture to show your motives and be accepted. For years missionaries have gone into other cultures and brought medicine, food, agricultural expertise and education in order to win the right for a relationship with the people. Then, within that relationship, they share their faith. The Bridge is doing the same thing. If we want to enter student culture, we have to meet the needs of their culture. Students in America have most of their physical needs met, so we focus on meeting their perceived needs. We work to create a place that is fun and culturally relevant to the current generation. As a result, we have the opportunity to meet kids where they are, see them for who they are, and share the hope that we have in Christ.