Bridge Church started as a dream in the hearts of a small group of Jesus-followers in Fort Saskatchewan. This group of families had been commuting into Edmonton to attend Bethel Community Church on Sundays for a few years. While they loved Bethel, and were committed to seeing the church thrive, they longed to see the Gospel impact their own local community as well.
In the meantime, Pastor Tom Baird of Bethel, along with Bethel’s leadership team, prayerfully wrote a document entitled “A Dream for Bethel” in 2013. Part of this long-term strategy document included the planting of a new church. After a time of prayer, discernment, and discussion it was decided that Fort Saskatchewan was a natural fit to plant the new church.
Soon after deciding Fort Saskatchewan would be the place, Pastor Ryan Pedde, Bethel’s Associate Pastor, was chosen to lead the new church. In February of 2018, a small House Church with a few families began meeting in various homes in the city. In the summer of 2018 Bridge Church held its first 4 baptisms in a backyard service. By the time September 2018 arrived the group was large, thriving, and reaching new people. It soon split into two large groups with as many as 50 people cramming into each House Church for Sunday gatherings.
As Fall 2018 progressed into Winter 2019, a Launch Team was formalized, a vision was born, a name was chosen, and ministry teams were created. Bridge Church launched weekly worship services in Fall 2019 in the Dow Centennial Centre. Home Groups continued to expand in numbers as people began to build strong relationships. In December 2019 the first services were held in a newly renovated campus on the 4th Floor of the Ross Creek Professional Centre.
By the Grace of God, Bridge Church has steadily grown since launching public services. The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges but also new creativity for ministry. One example of this was Easter of 2020 where Bridge Church held an outdoor drive-in Easter service. The service was attended by hundreds and watched by thousands online. Global News wrote a great article about it here.
Since re-opening after the pandemic, Bridge Church has continued to grow and become a staple of Fort Saskatchewan. Bridge hosts "serve Sundays" where the congregation goes out to serve a multitude of local charities through it's #ForTheFort initiatives. New growth has meant expanding programming for children, youth, men, women and families. Gatherings of the church are marked by a celebratory atmosphere as people are baptized, families are strengthened and lives truly transformed.
Today the story of Bridge Church continues to unfold. We would love for you to be part of the next chapter.
In the meantime, Pastor Tom Baird of Bethel, along with Bethel’s leadership team, prayerfully wrote a document entitled “A Dream for Bethel” in 2013. Part of this long-term strategy document included the planting of a new church. After a time of prayer, discernment, and discussion it was decided that Fort Saskatchewan was a natural fit to plant the new church.
Soon after deciding Fort Saskatchewan would be the place, Pastor Ryan Pedde, Bethel’s Associate Pastor, was chosen to lead the new church. In February of 2018, a small House Church with a few families began meeting in various homes in the city. In the summer of 2018 Bridge Church held its first 4 baptisms in a backyard service. By the time September 2018 arrived the group was large, thriving, and reaching new people. It soon split into two large groups with as many as 50 people cramming into each House Church for Sunday gatherings.
As Fall 2018 progressed into Winter 2019, a Launch Team was formalized, a vision was born, a name was chosen, and ministry teams were created. Bridge Church launched weekly worship services in Fall 2019 in the Dow Centennial Centre. Home Groups continued to expand in numbers as people began to build strong relationships. In December 2019 the first services were held in a newly renovated campus on the 4th Floor of the Ross Creek Professional Centre.
By the Grace of God, Bridge Church has steadily grown since launching public services. The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges but also new creativity for ministry. One example of this was Easter of 2020 where Bridge Church held an outdoor drive-in Easter service. The service was attended by hundreds and watched by thousands online. Global News wrote a great article about it here.
Since re-opening after the pandemic, Bridge Church has continued to grow and become a staple of Fort Saskatchewan. Bridge hosts "serve Sundays" where the congregation goes out to serve a multitude of local charities through it's #ForTheFort initiatives. New growth has meant expanding programming for children, youth, men, women and families. Gatherings of the church are marked by a celebratory atmosphere as people are baptized, families are strengthened and lives truly transformed.
Today the story of Bridge Church continues to unfold. We would love for you to be part of the next chapter.