The dream of Bridges was to create a program that would help congregations grow in their cultural competency so that they could Bridge the Gap between their church and the community around them. Over the past 2 years, 150 leaders from across 30 congregations have experienced the program, which has deepened their spirituality, enhanced their storytelling, and kick-started their missional imagination.

Bridges has transformed the lives of the people who have participated so far. One person from the second cohort of Bridges shared “I think every relationship in my life will be different because of this weekend.” Exciting things are ahead for EPA and GNJ as together we work to grow our cultural competency and our spirituality.

The $750,000 Scaling Grant from the Lilly Foundation will allow EPA & GNJ to expand Bridges to include pastors and church leaders in EPA & GNJ. Bridges will become part of the Journey of Hope and Wholeness Pathways program.

To learn more, email Alyssa Ruch, Director of Pathways Bridges, at aruch@epagnj.org today! Also make sure to visit the Pathways Bridges page to register your church for the next cohort.

Pathways Bridges is a highly experiential program that equips congregations to adapt their Christian practices and thrive in ministry within their changing contexts. Through an 18-month cohort experience, this program fosters empathy, joy, community, storytelling and self-reflection as we engage the diversity of our neighbors. The goal is that participating congregations will emerge from this program able to:

1. experience an increased joy in God, others, and ministry
2. revitalize spiritual practices with contextual relevance
3. clarify their sense of their Wesleyan values and mission
4. deepen their theological understanding for the role of diversity in the Imago Dei
5. foster curiosity and love across lines of difference
6. identify their own social location

To help us perfect our love for one another, Pathways Bridges has four movements:

• Hospitality
• Storytelling
• Community Engagement
• Innovation

Each cohort will include the following:

• Three congregational gathering experiences using experiential learning
• One pastors retreat for renewal and peer support
• A rhythm of storytelling, story listening, and deep reflection
• Ongoing practical practices in between sessions
• Small group sessions to allow pastors to engage in active listening, share constructive feedback, exchange wisdom, and foster empowerment through peer-to- peer learning and group coaching

Pathways Bridges cohort opportunities will be available in 2025, 2026, and 2027!

Each year long cohort will accept up to 30 congregations within the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey Annual Conferences. Each team will consist of the pastor and 3 – 6 laity. These teams will be responsible for implementing the material in their context in such a way that builds bridges for lasting change. Again, we are thrilled that the Lilly Endowment has continued to invest so significantly in our mission, and we look forward to continuing this work over the next three years (2025 – 2028)!

To learn more and register your congregation, visit the Pathways Bridges page.