Ramen Noodles (College Lunches)

This series, we are being challenged by the teachings of Jesus, including one where he reminds us to "feed the hungry."  We do that well.  Dozens of homeless men are fed breakfast after sleeping here on Thursday nights.  Hundreds of families are fed every Thanksgiving simply because they need food to eat.  God has clearly shown us how to effectively feed the hungry.  Now we He is giving us the opportunity to feed another group of hungry people: College Students.

Any of us who are past the just-finished-high-school stage of life can identify: free food was good.  Whether in college or looking for a job right out of High School, money was always tight and food was always welcome.  Free pizza had the most important word in it: FREE.  When we had to pay for it ourselves, we would find creative ways to eat off the $1.37 in our pocket.  Now, Life Bridge will have the opportunity to serve these ramen-noodle-eating young adults throughout the next school year.

This year, Valparaiso University will be providing planners to all incoming Freshmen and for all students and faculty who want them.  In the back of this planner, there will be advertisements for local businesses and organizations.  Life Bridge will have the ad you see above.  This will go out to thousands of people.

In addition to the announcement in the back of the planner, their weekly planning page will have a reminder at the bottom of the page every three weeks.  That week, they can eat more than ramen noodles for lunch...and it's free.

The lunches are not just for Valparaiso University Students.  All College Students and young adults are invited.  In fact, we are working on printing business-card sized refrigerator magnets with the reminder below so we can distribute them to our student-aged family, friends, and neighbors.  Let's pack this place with people enjoying lunch together!

These lunches are, of course, about more than food.  This age group is more likely than any other age group to stop their walk together with God.  As we eat together, we build relationships with people who may be away from home, but we can help them feel at home with people who desire to walk together with God.  What a great way to build His Kingdom - enjoying a meal together and empowering one more.

Interested in helping?

Contact Pete@ImagineLifeDifferently.com or (219) 707-0285 for details.

First Planning Meeting: Sunday, August 3rd @ 4:00p.m @ Life Bridge.

Pay It Forward

Imagine opening day of Life Bridge Christian Church.  September 23, 2003 is quickly approaching and the building is not ready.  Electric needs to be run, lights need to be installed, carpet needs to be laid, and tables need to be assembled. We simply don't have the people to get it all done.

That week, the week before grand opening, Suncrest Christian Church (another church plant started 8 years before us in St. John, IN) sent a team of workers to be the "hands and feet of Jesus" to us.  Amazingly, all the work was completed and the church opening was a great success.  "How can we thank you," we asked.  "Give the glory to God," they responded.  And, "Pay it forward."

Now, Impact Christian Church (another church plant that started 4 years after us in Merrillville, IN) needs our help.  They have navigated the early start-up years and many more challenges than any church should have to overcome.  They continue to glorify God and reach new people for Him.  Now, they need our help.

This Saturday, August 9th, Impact will be hosting a Back to School Block Party to reach out to the families in Merrillville, IN.  They need people to be the "hands and feet of Jesus" at this event.  Popcorn needs popping, snow cones need freezing, cotton candy needs twisting, and a watermelon eating contest needs coordinating.  

Are you willing to help Life Bridge "pay it forward" to another church that needs our help?  Let's glorify God by working together as His Church.

Contact Pete@ImagineLifeDifferently.com or (219) 707-0285 to participate.

Family Fun Night - Tonight!

Learn More

Family Fun Night is Tonight!

Friday, Aug 1st - 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Join us for a fun night of

Food, Games, and a Movie

Admission is Free

Donations accepted for Operation Christmas Child

(Shoebox items and/or a love offerings.)

Bring your family and help a child!

Help "and Steve"

Steve Campbell, whom you may know from the guitar duo named Frank and Steve, has blessed the family of Life Bridge with his own family and all their ministries for different seasons over our past almost-eleven years.  Now they are moving on to bless another church community.  Steve is now the Senior Pastor at Summitview Christian Church in Hoffman Estates, IL and, while we will miss them dearly, we are excited that he is answering God's call to empower one more.

Now that they have a new home in Illinois, it's time for his family to move.  Will you help a family who has blessed so many of us at Life Bridge?  Here's how.  Moving day(s) will be Friday and Saturday, August 8th and 9th.  They will be loading the truck(s) at their home here in Hobart, IN on Friday evening after 5pm and Saturday morning (time TBD).  Will you be the hands and feet of Jesus to them?

Contact Steve via email (srcampbell43@frontier.com) or cell phone (219-384-1895) to coordinate your help.  Thank you for helping "and Steve."

We.ImagineLifeDifferently Website is Ready for You

We.ImageLifeDifferently Website
Life Bridge's website designed to help you explore ministry opportunities, schedule ministries, and even be reminded of your schedule -- We.ImagineLifeDifferently.com -- is now up and running!  

If you have an I.ImagineLifeDifferently login and password, you may use that to log in.  If you do not, click "Log In" and then "Register" to create your login and password.  

Once you express interest in one or more roles, you can schedule different opportunities.  If you don't see a role in which you are interested, there is a place to email the coordinator who can either help you find it or create it.  

Crazy Changes

The past few months have challenged us as we walked through "Crazy Love."  Chan has challenged us through God's Word to stretch far beyond what we considered "normal" Christian living.  In fact, we've learned to see "normal" as "lukewarm" and learned to see "crazy" as the new normal.  The changes is starting to show.

The 79cent Bible

Finding the Need was the topic for our past Ministry Monday gathering.  MM's is a time to share how God is leading us in Ministry.  Lead by Jeni and Anna, scripture and discussion is shared from 6:30-8pm in the LBCC cafe.  We have activities and coordinate ministries that are happening now and in the near future.  

When discussing Finding the Need on the 29th we were trying to figure out where and who God wants us to serve in ministry.  4 questions were asked& discussed... 
1. Where is your heart?  
    Psalm 37:4  Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
2. Where is the need?  
    Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
3. What gifts/talents has God gifted you?  
    1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
4. What skills/talents have you learned or acquired in your life?
    1 Timothy 4:6-16 - A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

God has a plan for you and your life.  Follow Him and He will lead.  
We are all called to do something different because the answers to the questions above are different.   I want to share a story with you about what my friend Cindy was called to do.  

God's Workers (Part 2)

So after meeting with James Cooper and then enjoying Ministry Monday this week (see previous post), I walked away from the evening with a task on my list: Call Mario Bustos.  I knew that he was coordinating the Homeless Men's Shelter for Valparaiso this year.  We were one of the participating churches last year for the summer session, so I needed to coordinate with him whether or not we are participating this year.  The next day, Tuesday (when the snow storm was ramping up), who should walk through our door but Mario!  It was so good to see him, catch up, and discuss God's Kingdom Work.  The time was a God Sighting for me.

God's Workers (Part 1)

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13 NIV)

I went to Ministry Monday's this week to participate in the group.  We had a blast!  One of the participants said, "I haven't laughed that hard in a long time."  I enjoyed seeing God work in and through His people to prepare and encourage us on to serve.

What I wasn't expecting, though, was a meeting right before Ministry Mondays began...

God Worked Through Our Students to Bless Families!

Game Time - Valentine Heart Relay

Parent Date Night this past Friday, February 15th, was a huge success!

God worked through our students to bless families and were themselves blessed in return!  Read on to hear a little of what God was up to at Life Bridge last Friday!

A Busy Building

When God first provided the "new" building almost two years ago, I remember someone telling me, "I sure hope we use the building a lot. It really gets to me when churches pay for buildings and don't use them six days a week."  I agreed.

 

When God provides resources, He expects us to use them for His purposes. It's such a joy to see that happen around here on a regular basis.

This morning, for example, the building is "hopping." A men's group used the building at 7:45 for a small group Bible study. Now there is a second small group meeting, people are painting shelves for the Porter County Fair, and others are cleaning in preparation for worship services tomorrow. In about 15 minutes, more people will be here to prepare for the Porter County Fair.

Its good to see people living out a walk with Him utilizing the resources He provides.

The Ministry of "OK"

Last night, I found myself in a "stuff" meeting with other coordinators at Life Bridge.  We have different types of meetings each Monday, depending on the week of the month.  Some are for details.  Some are for long-term planning.  Others, still, are for evaluating the ministry effectiveness.  This last one was the focus of yesterday's time.

We spent the entire evening simply asking the question, "What are we celebrating that God is doing?"  The question spurred a time of excellent reflection.  Some of the answers came from ministries that are going on today.  Some of the celebrations came from ministries that occurred years ago, but we are seeing some of the results today.  There was one "ministry," however, that really caught my attention.