Bridges Newsletter - Winter 2014

Providing the very best support and capacity for leaders wanting to start new Christ-following communities, especially among people who think church is irrelevant.

Stay Connected: BridgesUS.orgTo Donate: BridgesUS.org/give

Thank you for supporting the movement in Los Angeles, on the West Coast and across America.Bridges 466 Foothill Boulevard Suite 320, La Cañada, CA 91011 Phone (818) 275-1821

“The gift of full training and support to a Bridge Leader is $333. This gift will not only nurture an entrepreneurial leader, it will also bring the love of Jesus into the lives of innumerable people who aren’t part of church culture. Thank you for your partnership. Merry Christmas! (Find response envelope enclosed.)”

$333 to fully sponsor a Bridge Leaderfor one month

Dear Friend,

At this Christmas time of year, I hope you will remember our Bridge Leaders.

Each Bridge Leader is a missionary who helps people who don’t participate in any existing church. These leaders don’t receive salaries from a church and often pay for ministry expenses out of their own pockets.

Would you consider sponsoring one or more Bridge Leaders for a year, sponsoring one group’s training for a month or even sponsoring Bridge Leaders who go to coffee shops to share much-needed encouragement with others?

Any of the above gifts would help a lot. We have over 20 Bridge Leaders that still need a monthly sponsor.

Thanks so much for your caring and faithful support. May you experience the love of God and the amazing gifts of our Savor in deeper ways this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas,

Rev. Jim Milley, Chief Catalyst

Pastor Nick Warnes, co-authored a new book. “Starting Missional Churches” (IVP, 2014), which covers best practices for meeting unchurched people where they are.

Bridge Leadersin the News:

Bridge Leaders Sam & Priya Theophylus were featured in the September issue of “The Presbyterian Outlook”. They are

planting a church in the challenging area of Los Feliz in Los Angeles.

$25 Caring for person in crisis at local

coffee shop

$200 Scholarship for

Training Conference

$50 Diapers

for babies of new teen moms

$75 One on one coaching for

a leader

$100 Support Group

for 10 Bridge Leaders

$500 Emergency funds for

fixing the broken car or paying that medical bill

$333monthly Fully provide for a Leaders’

assessments, coaching, training and support

We’re always ready to welcome new volunteers and explore partnerships with business leaders, skilled contractors, coaches and, of course, Bridge Leaders!

Events: BiVo (Bivocational) Conference

Hugh Halter shares strategies for being bi-vocational.

Friday, February 6th (4:30pm) Sunday February 8th (1:30pm)

at The Oaks Conference Center18651 Pine Canyon Road., Lake Hughes, CA 93532.

$25 assessments

for 1 Bridge Leader

$50 hospitality for a monthly Support Group Meeting

$75 1 month of

personal coaching for a Bridge Leader

$200 scholarship for a Bridge

Leader to attend a training conference

$333 to fully sponsor a Bridge Leaderfor one month

“

Teaming Up with Local & Global Non-Profits! Enrich LA & Jozi’s Nut Butter South Africa

Two Bridge Leaders in Central LA are partnering with a local church and other non-profits to further God’s work locally and globally. One non-profit is called “Jozi’s Nut Butters,” a micro-finance enterprise that employs South African women through the making and selling of unique and healthy nut butters. Together with other local supporters in the US, these Bridge Leaders have helped to fundraise for the production equipment through meeting to roast peanuts and fire up the food processors to sell jars of the simple, delicious spreads. http://jozinutbutters.co.za/

In heels and power suit, Monica was waiting for her double espresso. In those three minutes, she shared with a Bridge Leader sitting nearby that she was exhausted. In more ways than one. She had achieved her goal of success as a trial lawyer in one of the world’s largest cities. Yet the day-to-day reality of working 12-15 hours alone in a room with stacks of briefings was wearing her down. The working conditions were oppressive, especially for women who wanted to start families. In fact, over the course of twenty years, only one female employee at the firm had a baby. But Monica had student loans to pay off. And she had invested so much in this career path.

Some days she fantasized about running away to become a barista where at least she could be less stressed and raise a child, even if they struggled financially. The Bridge Leader listened. And

empathized. And encouraged Monica to hold on to her deepest values and build a life around them. Monica took it in. “I just need to have faith that it WILL work out if I do that. I think I’m getting to a point where I just need to walk away from the job.” The Bridge Leader reflected back to Monica what was true about her: “You are a capable, passionate woman. Pick your bottom line, and you will find a way forward with the details.” Before she left for work she asked to have lunch soon and said, “I’m sorry I’m always complaining about how miserable I am at work. You are such a positive chick, and I think I really need to get out of this situation somehow. Thank You.”

Thank God for giving Monica hope that she can change course and live based on her deeper values. Stay tuned to see how Monica moves forward on her journey!

Your Partnership Enables Bridges to provide individualized and innovative support services to Bridge Leaders through:

Your gift can sponsor a Bridge Leader

Assessments Industry-standard leadership assessments such as Strengths Finder 2.0 are leveraged by Bridge Leaders to develop their unique leadership strengths.

“The Assessments were a major turning point in my ministry. They enabled me to see my strengths as unique, which gave me confidence to implement them more in my work.”

Trainings Two weekend conferences are offered each year, in November and February, for an extended opportunity to connect with the whole Bridges network and learn from and with each other around themes of key importance to entrepreneurial missionaries.

“I’ll never think about the church the same again! I can’t tell you the impact you had on my understanding of ministry. The conference was a transformational experience.”

Support Bridge Leaders meet monthly in small group settings to sharpen

and strengthen each other. If Leaders are raising their own support, Bridges also provides

an account for them with necessary legal and administrative support.

“In a ministry that can be so focused on doing, I continue to learn from our support group of the importance of prayer as a catalyst for beginning any project.”

Coaching Bridge Leaders receive coaches who come alongside them to listen and encourage. Coaches provide feedback and prayer support for the Leaders’ next ministry steps.

“Many Bridge Leaders will share how important coaching has been to them. I am one of

them, but I might go so far as saying that it has been vital. Anyone who had anything to do with my access to a coach...thank you.”

Assessment

Training

Coaching

Support

Coaching Training SupportAssesssment

“The current cultural landscape requires different tools for different leaders. Bridges is a fantastic tool for local missionaries who understand the context in which they find themselves.” Support Group Leader, Nick Warnes

20 of 50 Bridge Leaders still need a sponsor.

Bridge Leaders build Bridges among those outside existing churches. They experiment with new ways of being the church in the USA, utilizing the best of missionary practice in the mission field of their own communities.

Bridge Leader, Cat Moore, with Coach, Randy Lovejoy, excited for her first partnership support check, which will enable her to further her cafe minisrty in Central LA.

Also, in collaboration with Enrich LA, these Bridge Leaders are renovating local parks and planting school gardens. Enrich LA is a community wellness non-profit that builds edible gardens in local schools, focusing on low-income and underserved neighborhoods of Los Angeles. With wheelbarrows and watering cans, they are working alongside their neighbors to promote childhood nutrition one organic carrot at a time. http://enrichla.org/

Monica—Disillusioned by Success, Empowered to Follow Deeper Values

Some days she fantasized about running away...

$25 assessments

for 1 Bridge Leader

$50 hospitality for a monthly Support Group Meeting

$75 1 month of

personal coaching for a Bridge Leader

$200 scholarship for a Bridge

Leader to attend a training conference

$333 to fully sponsor a Bridge Leaderfor one month

“

Teaming Up with Local & Global Non-Profits! Enrich LA & Jozi’s Nut Butter South Africa

Two Bridge Leaders in Central LA are partnering with a local church and other non-profits to further God’s work locally and globally. One non-profit is called “Jozi’s Nut Butters,” a micro-finance enterprise that employs South African women through the making and selling of unique and healthy nut butters. Together with other local supporters in the US, these Bridge Leaders have helped to fundraise for the production equipment through meeting to roast peanuts and fire up the food processors to sell jars of the simple, delicious spreads. http://jozinutbutters.co.za/

In heels and power suit, Monica was waiting for her double espresso. In those three minutes, she shared with a Bridge Leader sitting nearby that she was exhausted. In more ways than one. She had achieved her goal of success as a trial lawyer in one of the world’s largest cities. Yet the day-to-day reality of working 12-15 hours alone in a room with stacks of briefings was wearing her down. The working conditions were oppressive, especially for women who wanted to start families. In fact, over the course of twenty years, only one female employee at the firm had a baby. But Monica had student loans to pay off. And she had invested so much in this career path.

Some days she fantasized about running away to become a barista where at least she could be less stressed and raise a child, even if they struggled financially. The Bridge Leader listened. And

empathized. And encouraged Monica to hold on to her deepest values and build a life around them. Monica took it in. “I just need to have faith that it WILL work out if I do that. I think I’m getting to a point where I just need to walk away from the job.” The Bridge Leader reflected back to Monica what was true about her: “You are a capable, passionate woman. Pick your bottom line, and you will find a way forward with the details.” Before she left for work she asked to have lunch soon and said, “I’m sorry I’m always complaining about how miserable I am at work. You are such a positive chick, and I think I really need to get out of this situation somehow. Thank You.”

Thank God for giving Monica hope that she can change course and live based on her deeper values. Stay tuned to see how Monica moves forward on her journey!

Your Partnership Enables Bridges to provide individualized and innovative support services to Bridge Leaders through:

Your gift can sponsor a Bridge Leader

Assessments Industry-standard leadership assessments such as Strengths Finder 2.0 are leveraged by Bridge Leaders to develop their unique leadership strengths.

“The Assessments were a major turning point in my ministry. They enabled me to see my strengths as unique, which gave me confidence to implement them more in my work.”

Trainings Two weekend conferences are offered each year, in November and February, for an extended opportunity to connect with the whole Bridges network and learn from and with each other around themes of key importance to entrepreneurial missionaries.

“I’ll never think about the church the same again! I can’t tell you the impact you had on my understanding of ministry. The conference was a transformational experience.”

Support Bridge Leaders meet monthly in small group settings to sharpen

and strengthen each other. If Leaders are raising their own support, Bridges also provides

an account for them with necessary legal and administrative support.

“In a ministry that can be so focused on doing, I continue to learn from our support group of the importance of prayer as a catalyst for beginning any project.”

Coaching Bridge Leaders receive coaches who come alongside them to listen and encourage. Coaches provide feedback and prayer support for the Leaders’ next ministry steps.

“Many Bridge Leaders will share how important coaching has been to them. I am one of

them, but I might go so far as saying that it has been vital. Anyone who had anything to do with my access to a coach...thank you.”

Assessment

Training

Coaching

Support

Coaching Training SupportAssesssment

“The current cultural landscape requires different tools for different leaders. Bridges is a fantastic tool for local missionaries who understand the context in which they find themselves.” Support Group Leader, Nick Warnes

20 of 50 Bridge Leaders still need a sponsor.

Bridge Leaders build Bridges among those outside existing churches. They experiment with new ways of being the church in the USA, utilizing the best of missionary practice in the mission field of their own communities.

Bridge Leader, Cat Moore, with Coach, Randy Lovejoy, excited for her first partnership support check, which will enable her to further her cafe minisrty in Central LA.

Also, in collaboration with Enrich LA, these Bridge Leaders are renovating local parks and planting school gardens. Enrich LA is a community wellness non-profit that builds edible gardens in local schools, focusing on low-income and underserved neighborhoods of Los Angeles. With wheelbarrows and watering cans, they are working alongside their neighbors to promote childhood nutrition one organic carrot at a time. http://enrichla.org/

Monica—Disillusioned by Success, Empowered to Follow Deeper Values

Some days she fantasized about running away...

Providing the very best support and capacity for leaders wanting to start new Christ-following communities, especially among people who think church is irrelevant.

Stay Connected: BridgesUS.orgTo Donate: BridgesUS.org/give

Thank you for supporting the movement in Los Angeles, on the West Coast and across America.Bridges 466 Foothill Boulevard Suite 320, La Cañada, CA 91011 Phone (818) 275-1821

“The gift of full training and support to a Bridge Leader is $333. This gift will not only nurture an entrepreneurial leader, it will also bring the love of Jesus into the lives of innumerable people who aren’t part of church culture. Thank you for your partnership. Merry Christmas! (Find response envelope enclosed.)”

$333 to fully sponsor a Bridge Leaderfor one month

Dear Friend,

At this Christmas time of year, I hope you will remember our Bridge Leaders.

Each Bridge Leader is a missionary who helps people who don’t participate in any existing church. These leaders don’t receive salaries from a church and often pay for ministry expenses out of their own pockets.

Would you consider sponsoring one or more Bridge Leaders for a year, sponsoring one group’s training for a month or even sponsoring Bridge Leaders who go to coffee shops to share much-needed encouragement with others?

Any of the above gifts would help a lot. We have over 20 Bridge Leaders that still need a monthly sponsor.

Thanks so much for your caring and faithful support. May you experience the love of God and the amazing gifts of our Savor in deeper ways this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas,

Rev. Jim Milley, Chief Catalyst

Pastor Nick Warnes, co-authored a new book. “Starting Missional Churches” (IVP, 2014), which covers best practices for meeting unchurched people where they are.

Bridge Leadersin the News:

Bridge Leaders Sam & Priya Theophylus were featured in the September issue of “The Presbyterian Outlook”. They are

planting a church in the challenging area of Los Feliz in Los Angeles.

$25 Caring for person in crisis at local

coffee shop

$200 Scholarship for

Training Conference

$50 Diapers

for babies of new teen moms

$75 One on one coaching for

a leader

$100 Support Group

for 10 Bridge Leaders

$500 Emergency funds for

fixing the broken car or paying that medical bill

$333monthly Fully provide for a Leaders’

assessments, coaching, training and support

We’re always ready to welcome new volunteers and explore partnerships with business leaders, skilled contractors, coaches and, of course, Bridge Leaders!

Events: BiVo (Bivocational) Conference

Hugh Halter shares strategies for being bi-vocational.

Friday, February 6th (4:30pm) Sunday February 8th (1:30pm)

at The Oaks Conference Center18651 Pine Canyon Road., Lake Hughes, CA 93532.