In 2002, an anonymous donor gave Trinity Bible Church a donation with one string attached: Start an inner-city ministry that goes beyond “feeding fish.” Fueled by different holy discontents towards fatherlessness, indignity, racism, and injustice, the church elders accepted the challenge, and the Bridge Ministry of Acadiana (BMA) was birthed.

About 25 people met after church over pizza to discuss how and where to begin. The group studied and traveled for a year to get our theology correct before moving out in our actions. As Jesus moved into our lives, we moved into the Four Corners neighborhood of Lafayette, LA. We began going door-to-door, introducing ourselves and listening to our neighbors’ dreams for a better tomorrow. Our goal was to, ultimately, become friends.

In 2002, an anonymous donor gave Trinity Bible Church a donation with one string attached: Start an inner-city ministry that goes beyond “feeding fish.” Fueled by different holy discontents towards fatherlessness, indignity, racism, and injustice, the church elders accepted the challenge, and the Bridge Ministry of Acadiana (BMA) was birthed.

About 25 people met after church over pizza to discuss how and where to begin. The group studied and traveled for a year to get our theology correct before moving out in our actions. As Jesus moved into our lives, we moved into the Four Corners neighborhood of Lafayette, LA. We began going door-to-door, introducing ourselves and listening to our neighbors’ dreams for a better tomorrow. Our goal was to, ultimately, become friends.

We learned that our generationally under-resourced neighbors’ top three dreams were to have safe streets free of drugs and prostitution, educated and respectful children. They dreamed of development and empowerment, not relief. Hearing these top three dreams, BMA began developing our mission, vision, and programs that aimed at relationally empowering our generationally under-resourced neighbors. Trinity Bible Church started providing volunteers, prayers, and support, and other churches joined us.

In bold faith, Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, a Christian Community Development organization, was formed in one of our city's poorest and under-served neighborhoods. We express our faith in a love that relationally empowers lives through spiritual transformation, education, and community development—leading to empowering people “on both sides of the bridge.” For in seeking the peace and prosperity of our neighbors, we, as a community, will discover our prosperity too (Jeremiah 29:7, NIV paraphrase).

Since 2003, we have been learning how to minister and love our neighbors without causing further harm. We learned to go beyond handouts and towards relationally empowering our neighbors by doing “with” and not “for.” BMA provides ‘bridging’ connections designed for two-way relational opportunities for our churches, businesses, communities, and neighbors to meet, love one another, and become friends. We have learned that whatever we do if it does not end in loving friendships, we simply waste our time and resources.