The Bridge
"I would love to get a feel for what being a missionary is really like.”
"What do missionaries do from day to day?”
Comments and questions like these have given birth to a vision for an exciting new ministry in Peru. Many times prospective missionaries need a place to go to confirm their desires for a career mission commitment. They want to experience the day to day life and get a longer look at what is involved in cross-cultural ministry.
Why A Mission Bridge?
As stated in our Missions Strategy, it is Grace Church’s desire to have a long-lasting impact in Latin America and within the country of Peru, specifically. Having a “bridge” into this culture is a critical part of accomplishing this objective.
In 2002, God provided the funds to purchase a permanent base of operations in Cieneguilla, Peru for what will become known as The Bridge. From this base we can operate a growing and expanding mission ministry in the Lima area and in the entire country of Peru. Missionaries Greg and Sherry Davidson serve as our point team for this ministry in Peru.
During the next several years we will seek increasing opportunities to train and deploy our own people in both short-term and long-term ministries in Peru and Latin America. One group may be a construction group and the next a ministry group doing such things as mass evangelism, Bible distribution and discipleship; a medical team can use their skills as an avenue to reach the lost. At the center of all of these mission opportunities is The Bridge.
The second purpose for The Bridge Ministry is to house potential missionary candidates as they search and seek the Lord’s calling on their life. Whether it is for six weeks or six months, The Bridge will provide affordable housing for potential American missionary families to live and work in a foreign country.
Why Peru?
Peru offers many advantages in the way of missionary preparation. There are urban missions, rural missions, mountain missions, river missions and linguistic opportunities. Pastor Phil spent 13 years building a network of nationals and foreign missionaries that can expose any missionary prospect to the real work of missions. As well, there are ongoing projects such as the Missions of Mercy in Manchay project and numerous tent campaigns that offer years of joint effort to accomplish very well defined goals. Finally, the second most spoken language in the Western Hemisphere is Spanish. Any prospective missionary could go to Peru and work in the language of his proposed country.
