The 410 Bridge

Continuing in our look at ministries aimed at having a redemptive presence and meeting the needs of the poor and oppressed, today I call your attention to an organization called: The 410 Bridge.

The 410 Bridge is a unique model in that they have specifically targeted one country (Kenya) with many obvious needs rather than a particular issue or social ill. Moreover, their method is to find churches (mainly in North America) to partner with local ministries and churches in the need areas of Kenya, and then seek to empower those local ministries to be the key point people in their ministry efforts.

Here is how they explain it . . .

At the 410 Bridge, we believe that our personal relationship with God is directly proportionate to our service to His people. He has commanded us to use what is given to us to serve His people, and this command is the crux of our organization. Our staff is comprised of people who recognize God’s call to service and who want to answer that call by using their gifts to minister to others. We share a heart for the nation of Kenya and a passion to build lasting relationships with the people we encounter there in an effort to help spur them on to change. We believe that a network of committed U.S. churches partnering with communities and villages in a single country in Africa can make a difference. We believe that this focused, single country approach will not only change the lives of God’s children in Africa, but also transform the hearts and minds of the American church through service to His Kingdom.

Why Africa? Why Kenya? Consider these facts . . .

• Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS
• 50,000 children will die of AIDS this year
• 1,400 newborn Africans are infected with AIDS everyday
• There are 900,000 orphans in Nairobi, Kenya today, mainly due to AIDS
• More than 300 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live on less than $1 a day
• Every 3 seconds a child dies of nutrition deprivation/starvation
• More than 300 million people in Africa do not have access to clean water
• 1 million children die of malaria each year

I first learned of The 410 Bridge through my local church (Parker Hill Community Church). At PHCC, our mission philosophy took a radical change towards partnering a few years ago. It has transformed our entire approach, and has begun to become a significant factor in moving the hearts of our people towards God’s mission work around the world. We now have a regular stream of people doing cross-cultural trips to serve with our over-seas partners. And the relationships that are being built are having significant present and eternal affects; in both our people and our ministry partners.

The following video will give you a taste of their ministry:

If you’re not familiar with the ministry of The 410 Bridge, I suggest you cruise their website, they will challenge your missions thinking.

Blessings
3 John 8
Bill H.