Bridge Church

Tuesday night, 11/9/10, I attended my first service of "Bridge Church", a "church" in Nashville that meets under a bridge that focuses on ministering to the needs of the homeless. It was AWESOME!

Believers from all around Nashville, even up to 100 miles away, from all kinds of denominations, come together to worship, sing, pray, share the Word, share in a meal, fellowship, and minister to the needs of one another, especially to the homeless. The staff (volunteers) arive at about 5:30 to set up the chairs, speaker system, chuck wagon, and packaged food distribution truck.

About 6:00 the ladies began serving hot meals from the chuck wagon. Shortly there after the worship service begins while people are being served. We worship together. Some ate, some sang, some prayed, some smoked, some walked around nervously, some talked, etc. It was one of the most refreshing worship services I've participated in - real people with no pretense of being anything but in need.

After about 45 minutes of worship, one of the regular attending pastors preached an awesome affirming message of God's love and our value to Him. The minister's text was the story of the Prodigal Son and his primary point was that even though the son found himself homeless, starving, stinking, covered in hog crap, and feeling absolutely worthless, he was still of immeasurable value to his father! This was exactly what they needed to hear – God loves them and they are worthy of love, care, healing, and deliverance, because they are children of God, created in His Image.

I mean, think about it. Many of the “members” of this church are homeless, sick with aids, cancer, etc. Many are addicted to drugs and alcohol; some are even demonized, out of their minds with fear and pain. And I was suprised at the number of verterans who were there, men who lost their minds in the ravages of war, especially the Vietnam War. What message do these my brothers and sisters need to hear? Do they need to be warned that it they don’t repent, turn to God, and get their lives straight, not only is their life going to be a living Hell, but they are going to burn in Hell forever? Of course not! They need to hear the truth that God loves them that Jesus came to save them and will save them. God loves them and will not fail to deliver them – if not in this life, surely in the life to come! God loves us and saves us simply because He created us to be His children.

Well anyhow, after the pastor preached on God’s love for us all and our innate value, we ministered in prayer to those who wanted it. We then had a drawing to give away speacial items - a "mobile home" (tent), a homemade quilt, etc. and the grand-prize, a new and very nice bycicle. After that everyone was dismissed and got in line to leave and on the way out they went through the packaged food line where they could get as much food - soups, cereals, granoila bars, chips, pasteries, sodas, etc. – as they wanted and could carry with them.

It was a wonderful evening and I plan to be a regular member of “Bridge Church”!