About the Merge
A Giant Step Forward
The Bridge began in the Fall of 2008 with a group of men and women wanting to see a local church that would make a demonstrable impact in its community and be a reflec- tion of our neighborhood in its membership. This was borne from our conviction that the church should reach its culture and reflects its community. We also believed that the evidence of true reconciliation as taught in Scripture affects not only our personal spiritual lives but has a social and cultural dimension to it as well. That the apostle Paul had to correct three separate churches in the New Testa- ment about the divisions resulting from class, education, race and culture indicates this is an issue close to the heart of God. Yet if 11AM Sunday morning still remains the most segregated hour of the week, what does that say about the organization which meets during that time? This is why we have made no apologies about our com- mitment to be a church that reaches all kinds of people, just like those who live in the Brunswicks.
Over the course of 2010, our developing friendship and ministry partnership with the Point Church led to a discus- sion between our leadership teams about whether it would make more sense to pursue this vision of a local church together as one rather than doing it alone. Through much prayer, discussion and evidence of God’s leading, we are confidently moving forward in a strategic partnership with The Point church in January 2011. We believe that united, God will do more to change us and our community. Please pray for us - not that we will be successful but that our new church will be a truer representation of God’s kingdom. Our vision hasn’t changed; it’s simply become a clearer reality.
-Pastor Thomas
Why Unite?
When the Point started over 5 years ago, we envisioned a church that would make a big impact locally while continu- ing to grow and start other churches. To merge with another church was not even on our radar. In a sense, it was the opposite of what we set out to do. Our goal was to increase the number of churches in our area, not com- bine existing ones. For us to consider doing something like that, it would take a pretty compelling reason. In fact, it would have so be so obvious that God was in this, that we had no choice but to follow.
We believe that we have seen God's heart and found that compelling reason in our growing friendship with the Bridge Church of East Brunswick. Two churches with the same vision and values are coming together to create a church that better reflects our community. One of my struggles over the years of living here in New Jersey has been seeing the diversity that surrounds us and at the same time the lack of diversity in many of our churches. We believe strongly that part of God's renewed creation involves the nations coming together as we worship our Father in heaven. We dream of a Sunday morning that reflects the diversity of our community in joyous celebra- tion of Jesus and his reconciling love. We dream of living out the gospel daily and showing our community how the gospel truly overcomes our differences. Our dream is to one day get to heaven and feel that we have experienced this before in glimpses through the local church.
Our vision hasn't changed and we believe that over the years to come, we will see our vision renewed and strengthened as a result of this new partnership. We hope you will come and check out what God is doing with our new church! We are excited and believe you will be blessed by seeing and experiencing this new community.
-Pastor Tim
