GOD ADVANCED OUR MISSION
Two Mondays ago, we wrapped up our journey on the Bridge. For 10 weeks, we shared meals and built relationships with our neighbors as we wrestled through the big questions of life. Friendships were formed. Honest perspectives were shared. Questions were answered. The gospel was proclaimed. And it was all an absolute blast.
This past Sunday, church members and Bridge volunteers, Robert & Rosie Lopez, gave us a window into HOW the Lord worked through Bridge. Their report strengthened our faith and fueled our fire to continue spreading the joy of Jesus in Santa Ana. Here’s what they had to say:
Rosie:
Over the course of the wonderful meals, we got to have good conversations, share life, and develop wonderful friendships! I feel more equipped and have a greater passion to share the gospel. And I’d like to add that I am so blessed to hear my daughters share with me how the course benefited them by answering some of their questions and helping them to feel more equipped and confident to share with their friends. I’d like to encourage those who would like to participate in future Bridge Courses - by inviting guests, attending to grow in your faith, or volunteering in any way - to do so.
Robert:
I don't know if I could rightly come up with a way to express how fantastic the Bridge Course was. We gathered for 10 weeks of feasting, getting to know each other and building friendships, listening to God-centered preaching, and going through some of life's most difficult questions when it comes to God and the Bible. Like "How can God allow suffering?" "Why doesn't God just forgive everyone?" "Can we really trust the Bible?" and "Is Christianity really worth it?" Each week we wrestled with these questions and more as the individuals who attended came from different backgrounds and religious experiences. Some of them came into the Bridge Course with questions of their own and there were others who even heard what the 10 Commandments were for the very first time. But after each session, we left not only with questions answered, but with more confidence that the Bible is true, and that Christ is who he says he is.
God began working through the hearts of our guests who attended the Bridge Course almost immediately. They would return each week eager to hear more of what the Bible had to say. Before the 10 weeks were over, we saw people from the Bridge Course show up to our Sunday services, men's and women's meetings, and small groups. I've heard of people saying they began to wake up earlier to seek the Lord. People asked about baptism, and I’m looking forward to some of our guests from the Bridge Course getting baptized next month!
I'd like to encourage you to join us and participate the next time we do Bridge Course as this is a great opportunity to go out into the city, evangelize, invite people to hear the gospel and see what God does in their hearts.
We thank God for all he did in and through the Bridge Course. And we thank him for the instruments he used to accomplish it all: you. The members of Cross of Grace who served so faithfully, sacrificially, and joyfully this fall. Facilitating discussions and lovingly pursuing our neighbors. Offering generous hospitality in the form of hosting and meals. Coordinating details. Inviting friends, family, and neighbors. Fervently praying for the Lord to work in the hearts of our guests. Those prayers were answered, and we thank God for his faithfulness and power to save!
