When Jesus commissioned His disciples to take the gospel to four specific geographic regions, he was describing a church without walls. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The book of Acts chronicles how the gospel spread through Jerusalem, then to Judea, then to Samaria, then to the ends of the earth. BridgeWay is committed to following that same Biblical model of starting in our own neighborhood and moving outward to penetrate the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Reaching the Lost the Last and the Least in Four Regions of the World

Jerusalem = Our Own Backyard

The New Testament church had its beginnings in Jerusalem. Many new Christians met in the Jerusalem temple and in the temple complex. These Christians were actively sharing their faith and reaching out to unbelievers right in their community (Mt. 28:19-20). Today, as we reach out to our next door neighbors, we are carrying out Jesus' Great Commission.

	The LOST: Using the One Focus initiative, BridgeWay is committed to a year-long special emphasis on evangelism. One Focus is designed to transform believers into active, faith-sharing disciples.
	The LAST: BridgeWay partners closely with Christian Community Action throughout the year in meeting the needs of the poor. This includes sponsoring clothing drives, food drives, and Undy Sunday, as well as regularly providing volunteers to staff the resale store and the food pantry.
	The LEAST: We have increased our budget for assisting people in need. This often takes the form of a Walmart gift card to help those without practical, day-to-day necessities.

Judea = Denton County

Judea was the geographic area immediately outside Jerusalem. In response to Christ’s call to go make disciples, early Christians moved beyond Jerusalem into the Judean mission field. Our contemporary Judea is the world of Denton County.

	The LOST: Bridge Kids children’s ministry ventures into the community with Wacky Wednesdays in summer. Through this energetic evangelistic effort, neighborhood children and their parents experience Biblical teaching, worship, and fellowship.
	The LAST: BridgeWay is continuing its service to the poor in the St. Charles apartments in Lewisville, through the Kids Eat Free program.
	The LEAST: We support several great organizations: Children’s Medical Center by collecting stuffed bunnies at Easter; Friends of the Family (caring for victims of abuse) by donating toys or personal items; and an area homeless shelter by providing socks.

Samaria = Those Outside Our Country

Jesus himself kicked off the initiative to reach Samaria by approaching the woman at the well in John 4. In Acts 8, the Holy Spirit sent Philip to evangelize this new people group. Our contemporary Samaria is the world of our neighboring countries.

	The LOST: BridgeWay is sending a team of workers to the hurricane-ravaged nation of Haiti to serve and minister in the name of Christ.
	The LAST: BridgeWay students serve others in various ways on their summer mission trip.
	The LEAST: We support Samaritan’s Purse ministry, which provides Christmas gifts and personal items to children in other countries.

The Ends of the Earth = Other Continents

The second half of the book of Acts is the story of the gospel’s movement to ‘the ends of the earth.’ This evangelistic initiative spread quickly so that Christianity permeated the Roman Empire. Our contemporary ‘ends of the earth’ is the world of other continents.

	The LOST: We continue to prayerfully and financially support our missionaries: David and Sandi in Asia, and Andrew and Katie in Turkey.
	The LAST: BridgeWay urges members to go on short-term mission trips to other nations, believing that they, as well as those they serve, will be forever changed.
	The LEAST: By purchasing our coffee from Project 7: Brew for a Better World, we're helping provide clean water, malaria medicine, food, and education for people in need. For more info, go to p7coffee.com/the-causes.

Making the Vision a Reality

Achieving this vision will only happen when each person at BridgeWay connects to God's mission. Please pray about specific ways that you can share the love of Christ beyond our church walls. As each of us partners with the Spirit to intentionally use our time, talent, and treasure for His purposes, God will accomplish extraordinary things in 2011.