A special message from Dan Mitchell:

Friends:

We are so grateful to be a part of a community that reflects God’s heart so well. We’ve seen love, faith in Christ and service abound during the tornado relief effort. Because of the disaster we are reevaluating our summer programs at The Bridge. It will be our goal to serve teens and the local Church in whatever we do. Right now we are praying our way through this, looking for God’s lead as we move forward together.

We are very sad to announce that we have two funerals for which to prepare this week. These will occur on Friday (offsite) and Saturday (The Foundry). Please pray for our families and our staff through this – God’s presence and strength are what we must look to.

In the short term, we will continue to offer:

1. A place where teens can gather and relax together
2. Housing for the Autism School in the 2nd floor rooms at Autumn
3. The M.A.R.C. (Multi Agency Resource Center) – A place where people can find resources in one place to begin recovery
4. OPERATION BLESSING – if you arrive by 8 a.m. you can be put on a work team to go out and do clean up in the community OR if you are a property owner you can request a work order for work teams – even roof replacement and large equipment needs.

Our food, dry goods, and hygiene store items distribution will be moved to a local Church. The closest distribution center to us is Fellowship Baptist Church on 32nd and Rangeline across from Food 4 Less. Also, College Heights Christian Church (Newman Road) and Forest Park Baptist Church (7th and Rangeline) will be great resources for food and supply distribution going forward.

Our facility will continue to be used for tornado relief, the faith community and teens as God directs. If you have a need or an idea about how the space could be used for one of these things going forward, please let us know.

The peace of Christ to you.

Dan Mitchell
President
Bridge Ministries

When I was a kid I always wanted to leave my mark by writing my name in fresh concrete.  I remember my dad letting us write our names on a freshly poured porch in San Diego, CA when I was 5.  I’m sure the current owners of the house LOVE that.  In fact, my family tried to leave a mark on one of the sidewalk squares here at The Bridge 5 years ago when the walks were being poured, but the concrete finishers kept fixing it.  I think about this when watching the History channel during shows that depict the hours of time and millions in grant monies spent to study cave drawings.  Could it be just humans hoping to leave something behind that would be memorable?

Well, The Bridge has come up with a solution to the human desire for making a mark.  We have 1100 blank bricks on which you can send a message to future generations about what was important to you.  My family put one out for each living grandkid with a Bible verse.  My mom put my Grandma’s name there and my sister wanted to remember my Aunt Pean (Ethyl Pauline “Democrat” Mitchell).  My favorite thing about it is this:  The teens that come here see it everytime they enter The Bridge.  In fact, they are bracketed by supporters on their way in the facility.  I love watching that from my window.  It reminds me of what is written in the book of Hebrews:  “we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.”

Would you please consider making a yearly pledge of either $120 or $500 to leave a mark today?  This ministry has been here now for 11 years and it is time we develop a group of people with a stake in its future.  You won’t just be scratching in the dirt – you will literally be marking the hearts of teens in our community who need our support and love as they transition from childhood to adulthood.  Each year we will contact you about the same time to ask that you consider a similar gift so that we can stay here for teens and for those trying to reach teens.

Simply click on the picture of the bricks on the main Bridge Ministries page to get started.  Or click here:  http://thebridgejoplin.com/brickorderform

Thank you.

~dan

Bridge Ministries Spring Cleaning and Project Day
March 27
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We will be painting, cleaning, fixing, planting, enjoying lunch together and MORE!!!!
Bring your friends and experience a day of service and love for teens

Click here to volunteer!

1)  Student Center Staff Members Mainly Volunteers with a Perceived Calling to Youth Ministry
a.  Rigorous process before hiring volunteers or staff members
b.  Training provided for all team members
c.  Background checks don all all

2)  Well Developed Ministry Plan is Established, Taught and Acted Upon across all Venues
a.  We seek to empower students to find God through 4 known and powerful works of God
i.  Scripture - God’s story and the story of humanity.
ii.  Prayer - how without any formal or required language we can approach God and speak with Him.
iii.  The Gospel - a summary can be found in 1 Corinthians 15
1)  Jesus Christ died for our sins.  Forgiveness is the superior form of justification to God.
2)  This plan has been God’s plan from the beginning as the Bible describes it.
3)  The distinct and central fact of Christianity is Christ’s resurrection.
iv.  The Church - which is God’s community – where our calling in God is formed and reinforced.

3)  The Bridge Facility Dedicated to Junior High ONLY
a.  The staff produces a playbook weekly that lines out the fun and exciting activities which will occur during our open hours.  Activities are high energy and designed to create interaction between students and adults.  Examples:  Glow in the dark capture the flag, climbing contests, four square tournaments, hay-rides, etc.
b.  We have built a fenced “back-yard” with a fire-pit behind The Bridge so that we can say “yes” to students when they ask to go outside.  Area is supervised or closed
c.  The Bridge staff visits area Junior High School campuses 2 times per week
d.  The Bridge is currently recruiting students for a Bridge Student Council.  The Council will have two main purposes:
i.  promotion
ii.  activities brainstorming
e.  NO energy drinks!
f.  Security is enhanced because we can better control facility access to Junior High students only

4)  Foundry Facility Dedicated to High School Students
a.  Area has been redesigned and decorated to “soften” the feel as you experience the space
b.  Activities offerings more conducive to older students are being added
i. pool table
ii. game boards and table games
iii.  Wii
iv.  Back-yard and bon-fire area for Foundry only
v.  Live music
vi.  Coffee, home made baked goods, soda recipes
c.  The Foundry staff visit High School campuses 2 times per week
d.  The Foundry is currently building a core group of students and will develop a Student Council with two primary purposes:
i.  promotion
ii. activites and live music brainstorming

5)  The Entire Building is Available Free of Charge for other Organizations that have a Similar Christian Mission to Teens (Youth ministries and Christian Organizations)
a. office space
b.  Weekly ministry meetings
c.  Special Events (super bowl parties, lock-ins, etc.)
d.  Other ministries already utilizing Bridge Ministries space:
i.  Forest Park Baptist Church
ii.  FCA
iii.  Christ’s Community United Methodist Church
iv.  Area-wide Youth Ministers
v.  Christ’s Church of Oronogo

6)  Prices for facilities use have been Reduced for Schools and Project Prom/Grad organizations – we are the NO RAINOUT Solution for Junior and Senior High Class Sponsored Activities
a.  All charged fees go to support the cause
b.  Prom, Project Prom and Project Graduations are a perfect fit
c.  Class trips and end of year celebrations for school districts
d.  Carthage, Joplin, Welch, and Diamond are already benefitting from new pricing

7)  Autumn Ramp Park Remains a Major Destination Park with Updated Ramps and Updated Ministry Opportunities
a.  Open Tuesday through Saturday
b.  Beginner Session Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
c.  Students are involved in the Park
d.  Bible Study and Free Session on Wednesdays

8)  Our Operating Costs have been Reduced
a.  The average monthly cost of operations is around $58,000
b.  The need for sustainability is to find new giving that can fund $228,000 per year or around $19,000 per month