CU Bridge Church

November 17, 2024

Looking for something else, I came across Champaign-Urbana's Bridge Church on Google maps and decided to give it a try this morning. The congregation meets in a side room of a nearby gym called The Refinery. Coming in I noticed kids gathered in a big play room through one door and weight-lifting equipment through another. Door number three led into a room the right size for the forty straight-back chairs set up there in front of three young adult singers, one of whom had a guitar. Announcements of upcoming events scrolled on a big screen to one side.

At ten-thirty the pastor welcomed us and held the mic down to a little girl who did a nice job reading from Romans 8. Like creation, we groan because we know this world is not our home, the pastor said.

Several worship songs followed. I appreciated the low-key sincerity of the music, no hype or need for ear plugs. The pastor next gave updates on several people the church family was concerned about. He then praised the unique work of Salt and Light Ministries and introduced Gwenna, the Vocational Program Coordinator there. For a couple of minutes Gwenna shared her hope and mission. Salt’s goal is to work with people more than for them. Immanuel:  God with us. Our leader then led in prayer for Salt and for the people previously mentioned.

As he prepared to speak, Pastor Ed got a laugh commenting that he had turned his mic on when he thought he’d turned it off which meant that those listening on the internet had heard him singing, “a terrifying thought!” He apologized, hoping he hadn’t ruined their Lord’s Day. :-]

The day’s message continues from where they had left off last week, he said, and read a lengthy passage, Isaiah 10:16 through 11:16. We are distracted and discouraged, but God’s enemies will be defeated and his people will be purified. Our worst problem is not outside ourselves but in our own hearts. Let’s be aware of those safe little religious games. If my faith is mostly played out inside the church or if it’s primarily advanced through political agendas, I must recognize this and repent. Into the world of bullies, God did not send a warrior to Rome, but a child to Nazareth. The idyllic passage about the lion eating straw like an ox can be seen as metaphor for our own change of appetite.

At one point, the sweet sound of kids singing Away in a Manger could be heard in the distance as the pastor preached. It was easy to listen to this exceptionally well delivered message. Several friendly people introduced themselves to me after we were dismissed with prayer.

By checking the website, I later learned that CU Bridge is affiliated with the National Association of Free Will Baptists based in Nashville. Oddly, I couldn’t find the pastor’s name anywhere on the website nor the church Facebook page. Neither was there given any history of this local congregation.  

Although small, it seems to be a fairly active, multi-generational group. I was happy to visit them.