Who We Are
the bridge is a multi-ethnic and multi-generational church impacting our world in Christ, located in Markham, Ontario, Canada.
Our Path
Gather, Group, Grow, Give and Go is how the bridge fulfills its mission and vision. Our mission is to connect people to God, each other, and our world. Our vision is of transformed people impacting their world in Christ.
Gather
We gather for a renewed and inspired perspective.
Group
We group to put this inspired life into everyday practice.
Grow
We grow through personalizing our faith in Jesus.
Give
We give to participate fully in God’s love for all.
Go
We go out into our world to perpetuate God’s goodness.
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth…you’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world…”
OUR VALUES
the bridge is a place where people are inspired to act with a deep sense of purpose to carry out God’s will and not in accordance with the traditions of humankind.
We believe that every human being has been intentionally designed by God to live a purposeful life. You discover your identity and purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
We believe that when a person lives for God’s intention, they will experience more than happiness…they will experience an abiding joy that prevails through all things. Rick Warren, the author of The Purpose Driven Life, states, “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by His purpose and for His purpose.”
Every aspect of our strategy and mission to every activity that is carried out in ministry is aligned with what it means to live a purposeful life. We believe that living for God’s glory is the greatest achievement we can accomplish with our lives.
the bridge is a place where ALL people matter to God and us.
We believe that both male and female are full participants in God’s community. It’s not your gender, but your GIFTS that determine your ministry. We believe everyone is called to ministry. Everyone is a “10” at something.
We do everything in TEAM. We welcome constructive feedback and fresh ideas. People are all at different places on their journey. At no juncture is it part of a person’s ministry to judge anyone.
the bridge is a place where God’s word is communicated to the point of understanding.
Language bridges to understanding. We strive to communicate so that our language is easily understood by everyone.
We believe the greater value of language is not the supernatural manifestations that are mysteries to people, but rather a person that can speak to the point of helping other people understand. As people understand God’s Word, their lives can be changed.
the bridge is a place where an intimate connection with God and others leads to a life of greatness.
God wants us to know Him and His love, His mercy, and His goodness in very personal and real ways; to enjoy His presence in our lives and to see and then join Him in His activity and work in and around us.
the bridge is a place where we can grow and develop towards God’s creative and intentional design to purposefully impact our world for God.
We desire to take the truth about God and live it out in society in the midst of a broken humanity. That is a good thing – an exciting adventure that God wants for us to experience. He doesn’t want us to avoid the world, but to live in the world and to influence it with the truth of His Son and to do it with courage. Let’s be courageous people who know and stand on God’s Word – who face our pains head on and be victorious in them. We espouse courageously facing whatever life brings our way – cancer, death, brokenness, anything – to face it, receive it and work with God to get through it – because there is a heaven to be gained.
We can be influential by integrating God’s truth into our lives, initiating change, investing in others, and inviting people to share in the beautiful life that God is allowing us to live.