The Bridges Option exists to help local churches and Christians prepare for, and respond to, the challenge of giving their Muslim neighbors an opportunity to hear the Gospel. We do this through on-site training, seminars, DVD extension courses, and our literature ministry. Our goal is to serve the church, and we can tailor our efforts to what is most appropriate and useful in your situation. We will also encourage and assist your group after the training events as you seek to minister in your community.

PROGRAMS

  • Providing the ‘Bridges dvd study on Christians Connecting With Muslims’ for small group or Sunday School use.
  • Help in starting an Oasis Group for prayer and growing awareness of outreach opportunities.
  • We can assist in performing a demographic study of your area to identify cultural shift, particularly to-wards an Islamic presence.

EVENTS

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Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, ESL classes with various Turkish Muslim friends 

Sunday, August 11 Forks Community Church

Sunday, August 18 Forks Community Church

Wednesday, August 21 Quakertown BFC

Sunday, August 25 Hatfield BFC

RESOURCES

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Once I was a Stranger But Now I am a child of God This introduces the basis for our concern for Hospitality

Once I was a Stranger But Now I am part of a family Part two develops the idea of Hospitality as a vital part of our Christian experience

Once I was a Stranger, But Now I can reach out to the stranger in our society

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For seven years John & Karen Elias served in London ministering in Muslim communities. Prior to this John had been on the pastoral staff at Cedar Crest BFC for ten years. Their work in London involved personal evangelism, literature outreach, and mobilizing local churches and Christians for outreach in their own areas.  Since January 2014 they have led The Bridges Option. They are available to churches to help assess area needs and opportunities, develop strategies for outreach, and provide training and resources for effective outreach.

John and Karen Elias have recently transitioned into an exciting new field of ministry, reaching out to Muslims in the Mid-Atlantic United States.  My church and I are so pleased at what God is doing through them in this time and place.  John and Karen helped open a dialog between us and leaders of the mosque in our community.  This led to a Meeting for Better Understanding in October of 2012.  The purpose of the meeting was to share the beliefs of the two faiths.  We used the Christian belief of Christmas as a gateway to sharing the Gospel.  The Muslim speaker shared about the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).  It was a great opportunity to contrast the works system of Islam with the grace to be found in the Christian message.  Our second Meeting for Better Understanding is being planned for the Spring of this year.  John and Karen were indispensable in preparing us to respect their culture while lovingly sharing our faith in Jesus.  They would be a great resource for you and your church to reach Muslims in your community!

 Pastor Timothy Schmoyer, Bethany BFC in Whitehall, PA