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Missions, Outreach, and Evangelism (MOE)

The goal of the Missions, Outreach, and Evangelism (MOE) team is "to promote, equip, provide opportunities for the people of B2GC to serve our local community and the world."

Hands As we reach out beyond the doors of Bridge to Grace church we see a world that desperately needs to know the love of Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to promote the incredible ministries of our partners, provide opportunities for our people to serve either in the local community or the world. We equip our brothers and sisters to serve and encourage them to get out into the world to share the good news to the ends of the earth. As a team of committed servants we pray continuously to see God moving in mighty ways all over the earth. Let us know how we can serve you!

Mission Trip to Kentucky 2009

Bridge to Grace church members traveled to Stinking Creek, Kentucky in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky May 31 through June 6 to assist missionaries, Peggy Kemner and Irma Gall, with the work of the Lend A Hand Center.

The center, which helps residents with medical, educational, and spiritual needs, was founded by Peggy, a nurse midwife, and Irma, a school teacher, in 1958 when they moved to Stinking Creek to "lend a hand" to some of the poorest people in the United States. Although life has improved in Stinking Creek due to the work of Peggy and Irma and public programs, nearly 35% of the people in this region live below the poverty line, a rate three times higher than the national average.

Letter from Peggy and Irma

Hello Pastor Dave and members of the Bridge to Grace Reformed Church,

We had a great week of May 31 through June 6 in spite of, and even sometimes because of, the weather.

Participants of the work group were: Jennifer, Paige, Noah, Anna, Kayla, Sarah, Lydia, Sarah Lynn, Julia, Elija, Evan, Dillon, Amanda, Brandon, Leah and you as the pastor and leader. We did enjoy and appreciate each of the leaders to the extent we hope we will remain friends. They set the example and tone-such a help to us at Lend-A-Hand. We also hope there aren't or weren't too many bad cases of poison ivy as that little vine seemed so prevalent in our work.

The Strunks were so appreciative of the help on their dreams and house building. They hope to get the roof on the cabin this week. They were not aware prior to your help how much a morale boost can be had from youthful enthusiasm and physical work. Mrs. Bays also got a lot of help cleaning up her place. It is frustrating to the elderly to not be able to get things done. Then in comes a bunch and does it-wow! We rose above the frustration of the job at Melody's and got it done in spite of disagreements, weather and timing. I visited there Monday to find all was leveled off, sod in place, junk piled up behind the house, the old porch taken apart and they were eager for some of my flowers to be planted. You just never know!

Then there was the activity of Friday with the children. The children voiced their interest and the leaders want to do it every year. Maybe we can omit the getting stuck part.

There were other things like meals prepared for all of us, cows milked, calves trained and petted, kittens played with, real kids to feed by hand and mountain pleasures such as air, clouds, mists and intrigue.

In my letter to Nancy I thought we might be gardening, fencing, digging ditches, moving stones and working with children in the community. We certainly did all those things and more.

In the midst of all this, some one or ones found time to put together a song-a ballad. We were so surprised and blessed by it. I am sure it will become part of the history and story of Lend-A-Hand.

So we say simply and sincerely-thank you.

Irma Gall