We are a non-profit, inter-denominational, charitable, Christian faith ministry that responds compassionately by bringing the love of Jesus Christ to the inner city through mobilizing and working with the church and the community.
MISSION STATEMENT"Meet the people where they're at, accept them as they are;" for God's body to share His unconditional love.
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Core Values
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History
The Bridge on 20th Fellowship Centre has been serving the core neighbourhood of Saskatoon for over 25 years. The ministry was born out of a vision that the Lord gave to our Founding Executive Director, Linda Walker (formerly Chamagne), which included the mandate to “meet people where they are at, accept them as they are; for God’s body to share His unconditional love”. The vision came after her own life was transformed by the grace of God, rescuing her from a life of addiction, depression and self-hatred. On March 3rd, 1999 Linda and a handful of people opened the doors of the ministry.
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The Bridge first operated out of a small, rundown building on the corner of 20th Street West and Avenue O South. With a ministry team of volunteers, The Bridge served approximately 125 visitors a day, six days a week. Relationships were formed through offering visitors a bowl of soup, a listening ear, prayer, and help with practical needs, including clothes from a “give-away” corner. After only months of being open, visitors were invited to a weekly Bible study. Within a year, visitors were asking for a Sunday service and so a “grassroots street church” began. Baby dedications, baptisms, weddings and funerals all took place at The Bridge.
After four years of operating, Linda and The Bridge team sensed the Lord saying, “Because you have been faithful with little, you will now be given much”. So, in June 2003, with the ministry bursting at the seams, The Bridge moved its operations into a newly renovated facility on the corner of 20th Street West and Avenue N South. Eleven years later in 2014, the current property at 1008 20th Street West was purchased. The building was completely renovated and tailored to suit the ministry, and in 2016, The Bridge moved its operations in! The current building is fitted with a commercial kitchen featuring a walk-in fridge and freezer. There is a large dining area used to host visitors, church/worship services and other ministry events. A “Free Store” and public showers are situated just off the main dining area. Other rooms in the building include a Youth Room, Kids Club Room, Prayer Room, Sewing/Craft room, Wood Workshop, classrooms, and several offices. In the fall of 2020, the property that sits directly west of the current building was listed for sale. The Bridge put an offer forward it was accepted and in a period of only 46 days over $300,000 was raised to purchase it! The overarching word for the building is discipleship. Currently, all our discipleship opportunities (ex., afternoon church) and transformational groups (ex., sharing circle) are operating out of the 10/40 Building. |
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We praise God for all He has done, is doing and will do at The Bridge on 20th! He is faithful!
"Out of the darkness the light shall shine."
- 2 Corinthians 4:6
"Out of the darkness the light shall shine."
- 2 Corinthians 4:6
Doctrinal Statement of Faith
We believe in:
- GOD – one true eternal God who reigns over all things as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- JESUS CHRIST – that Jesus is fully human and fully God, was born of a virgin, died for our sins, was resurrected, taken up to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father, and will return in glory.
- HOLY SPIRIT – that the Holy Spirit lives in all believers, guiding and empowering them to live Godly lives.
- THE BIBLE – that God reveals Himself in the Bible and that it is the ultimate infallible authority for a life of faith.
- SALVATION – that salvation is a free gift that God offers anyone who by faith alone and through repentance, believes that Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death fully paid for their sins.
- THE CHURCH – that the church is the Body of Christ, believers who gather together to equip and build each other up, each one ready to serve the Lord as He calls them.
- JESUS’ RETURN – that Christ will return to take all believers to eternally be with Him in heaven, but that hell awaits those who reject God’s free gift of salvation.
- MARRIAGE – that God institutes marriage as a lifelong commitment between a man and woman.
