Mission and Vision
Our
mission:
“Because
Bridge Ministries honors the God-given dignity an giftedness
of persons with disabilities, we build relationships to alleviate
isolation and enrich our churches and community.”
Our
vision for a changed community: As we work together
with others to fulfill the mission of Bridge it is our hope to see
our communities become places where the God-given dignity and giftedness
of each person is valued and relationships of respect will grow
that alleviate the isolation of all people enriching our churches
and communities. As this happens we see:
- Persons
with disabilities automatically being included in our churches
and communities as valued and respected members; their involvement
seen as normal.
- Relationships
taking precedence over labels so that persons with disabilities
will be seen as persons. Our community environments will no longer
have the disabling physical or attitudinal barriers that get in
the way.
- The prophetic
and unifying role of persons with disabilities helping all of
us to get in touch more fully with God’s grace and strength
as we encounter God in each other.
- Our communities
evolving into “safe places” for all of us to be more
comfortable with our own brokenness and to accept our need for
each other.
- Our
communities becoming places where persons with disabilities will
come to know their value and in which their voices will be heard.
- Our
communities becoming more aware of the sacredness of others and of
all creation.
This
mission is rooted:
…
in the example of Christ’s life
Jesus’ example invites us to be in relationship with persons
who our society often consider “weakest” and “least”
among us. Looking at Jesus’ public ministry one can easily
see that he had a preference for the poor and marginalized people
of his society. He spent time with them – sharing meals, telling
stories, sharing major life events, healing and being with them.
When asked who is the “greatest in the kingdom of heaven”
he stood a child next to him and said, “…he who is the
least among you is the greatest of all.” (Luke 9:48) Jesus
also said, ”I have come so that you might have life and have
it to the full” (John 10:10).
…
in the teaching of Scripture
Scripture also challenges us to see the important place of honor
persons with disabilities should have in our communities. St. Paul
in his discussion about community describes our relationship with
each other as being like the human body, each part has its important
place for building up the whole community. He emphasizes that we
need each other to be whole and healthy as a community.
Then he says
something that is central to the mission of Bridge: “…those
parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable …
God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor
to the parts that lack it, so that there should be no division
in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern
for each other (I Corinthians 12:22-25). The truth of Paul’s
analogy is that disunity thrives in an environment where we are
constantly trying to demonstrate how capable, valuable and successful
we are. That kind of community leads to a spirit of intense competition
and fosters an environment that causes us to hide our weakness and
need for each other. Such communities are very unwelcoming to persons
with disabilities and ultimately are unwelcoming to the spirit of
God’s grace and strength. Unity, on the other hand, thrives
in communities where it is safe to be honest about our weaknesses
and brokenness. It is in such an environment that the strength of
God is accessed. It is through admitting our weakness and need that
we ultimately discover our need for God and our need for each other.
There grace can grow and the gifts of persons with disabilities
can be honored and welcomed. The whole community is blessed.
…
in the life experience of persons with disabilities
Over the past 19 years of serving persons having disabilities, we
have come to recognize that this population is among the poorest
and most disenfranchised in our communities. Many persons with disabilities
have told us that isolation and being undervalued or being totally
ignored by others is the greatest source of pain they struggle with.
We are continually discovering the giftedness of persons with disabilities
and the prophetic role they play in helping us face our own brokenness
and weakness. They teach us that being honest about our own vulnerabilities
is a doorway that leads us all to the grace and strength of God.
This is what Bridge Ministries is dedicated to, building relationships
that strengthen our communities by allowing the gifts and insights
of persons with disabilities to be valued and shared.
We hope that you will share this mission
and vision with us!
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