​LINDA WALKER (FORMERLY CHAMAGNE)  
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & PASTOR

In 1997, when the Lord set me free from many destructive behaviours, I received the experiential knowledge of His love for me. From then on, my heart’s cry was to be used by Him to share that truth and love with others without hope. When the Lord impressed upon my heart the vision of the Bridge “to meet the people where they’re at and accept them as they are” for God’s body to share His unconditional love, it was an answer to my prayers. My passion is to see God’s Kingdom come right here, right now! To empower and release those in our community and beyond, with God’s hope and purpose. I am continually blessed and honoured to serve in this ministry.

Ryan Falk
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & WORSHIP MINISTRY LEADER​

I felt a strong call to come to the Bridge in December of 2012 after a period  of waiting on the Lord for direction. I’ve now been here for the past ten years and through those years, I  have seen God transform and touch many different lives, mine and my family’s included. The line we often say as a staff team here is, “we get to” and this I think summarizes how I feel about my time here at the Bridge. Every day I get to see God move in some way, and every day I get opportunities to share the love of God with those that come in. The Bridge is an amazing ministry God is using to impact our city and I’m so privileged to be a part of it!

Carla Seib ​​
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

I feel very blessed to be working at The Bridge. I became aware of The Bridge through my local church and developed a desire to support the work of ministering to hurting people. A diversity of people gather at The Bridge and I find it exciting to get to know those who visit, volunteer, and work here. It is a fascinating journey to grow in our faith in Christ and our love for one another. I look forward to working as Volunteer Coordinator, partnering with the present staff and volunteers, and welcoming new people to be involved in the ministry through The Bridge.  It is a fun place to be!

Scott Wood  
floor supervisor​​

I love getting to work and serve at The Bridge. I was first drawn to The Bridge through their youth program. I have always had a desire to help those in difficult situations, and because Jesus got a hold of my life when I was a teen, I know the importance of coming alongside youth as they sort out teenaged years. While volunteering, I loved getting to serve the youth of the community and it was the highlight of my week. I eventually came on staff and was privileged to lead the youth program for 3 years. I am now blessed to serve the Bridge community through my new role. I get an opportunity to a build good relationships and love those God brings through our doors, as well as help things run smoothly throughout the day. God has stretched and grown my ability and capacity to love, and has done a deep work in my heart that extends to my family and other spheres. Thanks Jesus!

akay bespflug
Lead team​​

The resurgence of many racial injustices and COVID-19 in 2020 caused me to reflect deeply on my vocation and the work I was doing at the time as a medicinal chemist. I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me to align my passions with my work, engaging my heart with the work I do, not just my brain. In this season of my life, I feel invited to use my gifts and experiences to partner with God in justice and advocacy work for children and youth in Saskatoon's inner city. I have a passion to see kids, youth, and young adults live good and abundant lives like Jesus spoke of in John 10:10. I loved seeing God bring immense transformation to my heart and the youth at The Bridge over the last 5 years as a volunteer. I am excited for this opportunity at The Bridge to work with kids/youth and leaders who care for kids/youth. I believe that God's heart is to provide a safe, healthy, belonging, and supportive community for our kids/youth, which is our hope at The Bridge. I long to see our kids be radical lovers of Jesus, others, and themselves because I have experienced this transforming love of God, and it changed my life!

Luis Estrada
FLOOR intercessor ​​

It has been a privilege for me to be part of The Bridge Fellowship Centre. For many years I have served in this ministry using various skills and I have had the opportunity to meet many people with diverse backgrounds. Seeing beauty in all of God’s people, I have been blessed to passionately serve and it is my desire that Christ will be known in our community.

Kris Vanderlinde
KITCHEN COORDINATOR​​

It gives me great joy to serve the community, especially the children who come into our building, providing them with good, healthy meals. The Bridge has been called to serve the people, meet them where they are at and accept them as they are. We do our best to get to know the people, encourage them towards living a healthy lifestyle, speak the truth of God's Word and share His unconditional love. I love the relationships that I have with co-workers and community members. It's awesome to be a part of God's work.

Ian Mochar​​​
director of discipleship

My wife and I are excited to see the heart of the Lord as He expresses His love for His people. As I work with the Men’s Ministry, it is exciting to see men healed, restored and freed. I am grateful to be a part of a community who brings hope to the hopeless. I sincerely appreciate those who partner with the Bridge to serve God’s people.

Vicente Salgado-Cortes
FLOOR MINISTer/next generation assistant

When I was in my addictions I never thought I’d live past 25. And going to college was only something I saw in Hollywood movies. This year (2020) I turned 31, I graduated from Bible College and I’ll be sober 6 years. To God be all the glory! I believe God has called me to The Bridge to meet people where they’re at, and to share the hope I found in Jesus. It’s an honour to be a part of what God is doing here at The Bridge on 20th.

Barry Hansen
Assistant Floor Supervisor

I first came to The Bridge as a volunteer with Teen Challenge. After graduation and returning to my business, I could feel myself slipping back and knew I needed help. Frustrated and looking for "family", I accepted an invitation to join the Encounter, Experience, & Equip 8-month internship here at The Bridge. Through the healing I received and the family community I was a part of, I also saw the great need in a community of people who I could relate to. So, when I was offered the opportunity to join the staff team, I was excited to be able to use what Jesus has done for me to help others.
"And they overcame the enemy because of the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death" (Revelation 12:11).

Phil atkins
interim next generations coordinator

Coming to the Bridge was a lifeline to me in 2009. I had lost all direction in life and needed to have my hope restored. I met people who helped me go head-long after Jesus; truly learning what a life of discipleship looks like. I came on staff at that time and worked with the youth and kids club ministries until the summer of 2012. God called me away from Saskatoon for what turned out to be 12 years. And now, wonder of wonders, God has clearly called me, my wife, and our son to Saskatoon and back to the Bridge. What a joy to share this calling with them as we pursue seeing God’s Family realized!

Shane Strong
floor minister​​

I finished high school in 2017, with the mind set of not knowing where to go. I have always felt a call into ministry but had little idea of how that would play out. I heard about the Bridge through my aunt, and started interning at The Bridge in fall of 2017 with the mind set of only 2 months. As time passed I grew closer to the community and staff and couldn't leave. After ten months of interning I was asked to come on staff. I've started on staff in Sept 2018, I have always loved to serve and show love to people. As time passed I grew closer to God and learned more about His love for me. As well as grew closer to the staff and community and just couldn't leave.

Kent Peters
FLOOR MINISTer

I have been on the ministry team at The Bridge since October of 2012. The Lord began to stir my heart for the people living in the 20th Street community many years ago. Before I came on to the team I was in prayer and told the Lord I wanted to serve Him, and be used by Him.  Blessed be the name of the Lord!

marie goertzen
FLOOR MINISTer

Coming to the Bridge was a new season for me​, starting with finding out that there was a position open through a church bulletin. As soon as I saw it, I felt in my spirit that I was supposed to apply for the position. The community has welcomed me and becoming a part of the Bridge staff has been one of the great blessings of my life. I'm excited to see how I fit into this big, beautiful plan of God.

samuel ezeogwum
floor minister

The Lord set me free from an 8-year alcohol addiction on December 26, 2001. After my encounter, I was driven to search for the truth of who God really is. I encountered God in tremendous ways, which gave me a great hunger to serve Him. By the grace of God, I entered school and received 2 master's degrees in counselling and theology. From there, I worked as a spiritual care professional for 11 years. Since then, I joined the wonderful team at The Bridge. So far, I have enjoyed journeying alongside the homeless; people struggling with addictions and general life crises by compassionately addressing their needs, sharing the Good News, and seeing the awesome power of God transform lives. We serve an ever-faithful God, for 'by strength shall no man prevail' but by His sufficient grace. ​

Melanie Berg
floor minister

My family and I had just returned to Canada after serving overseas as missionaries for the past 16 years. I was looking for a place where I could continue to serve and share my love for Jesus with others, and I believe God clearly led me to The Bridge. What an incredible opportunity to serve alongside others so passionate in their faith, and to be able to share Jesus through loving others and meeting very practical needs. I am blessed to be a part of the team!

stephanie rathgeber
free store coordinator

I am not at The Bridge by chance. It is on purpose and for a purpose, that God placed me here. Throughout my life, I have tried many ways to find fulfillment on my own. Nothing was satisfying until I finally submitted to God. Since I started living for Him, I found the answers to all of my deepest longings. He truly rescued me!
I am so exited to get to partner with God in this ministry. I am also blessed that I get to serve with this amazing team and I get to meet these precious people where they are, accept them as they are, and to share His unconditional love.
​God is so good!

Go Edlyn Utami 
receptionist

My heart’s desire is to please God’s heart by following Him wherever He wants me to go. I want to help people to know who God is by building relationships with them. I believe that God aligned my vision for the Body of Christ with The Bridge’s foundation, mission, and core values. As The Bridge welcomed me to their team (or as the staff calls “family”), God has been enlarging the capacity of my heart to love people unconditionally. I believe that the compassion that I have right now is the result of God’s work through the staff and the community.

Pat Dergousoff 
FINANCE / Bookkeeper

I first connected with The Bridge soon after we moved to Saskatoon, cut to the heart during a Bridge Awareness Night. After that I started helping with breakfasts which then led into a time serving on the Board. And now I’m back… but this time I get to be on staff! I say “get to” because that’s just how I feel. I get to come alongside a gifted and passionate staff team as together we each do our part to serve and pour into the visitors that join us here. Thank you to everyone who supports this vital ministry in so many ways.
Bless you all!