Building Bridges Through Friendship

By Russ Parker, Pastor of Administration 

A cooperative effort between Life Bible Fellowship Church and Assure Pregnancy Clinic (APC) has arisen where church members engage in intentional friendships with expectant mothers who have made the important life-giving choice to carry and parent their child. LBF desires to come alongside these mothers and support and encourage them. We can speak into their lives while at the same time, allowing God to stretch us as we serve our neighbors -putting love in action.

Here are some of the ministry’s objectives:

To help encourage expectant mothers in their decision to continue their pregnancy. 
Church members are creating intentional friendships with APC’s clients; they are not counselors, teachers, or coaches. As a result, church members are not responsible for providing any pre-determined training or instruction to clients.

To help connect others to a local church community that will provide spiritual and emotional support during and after they complete the Bridges Parenting Support Program, offered by Assure Pregnancy Clinic. 
Church members will make an intentional effort to connect clients to their local church by inviting them to attend services and church-related events, and keeping them updated on up-coming programs.

Church members will meet their new Bridges friend at an “event” located in the Bridges suite at Assure Pregnancy Clinic (9675 Monte Vista Ave in Montclair). This event will help to “break the ice” on our new friendships.

Church members are committed to staying active in the client’s life for a minimum of six months, and agree to host their new friend at one meeting/ gathering per month.

Church members will receive one-time orientation training by Assure Pregnancy Clinic, so they can embrace the values of Assure Pregnancy Clinic and understand the mission and philosophy that drives the Bridges Parenting Support Program.

Based on the recommendations of Bridges Mentors, this program will be offered to expectant mothers who have expressed an interest in extended care and support, and have regular attendance within the Bridges Parenting Support Program.

While participating in the Building Bridges through Friendship Program, clients will receive Baby Bucks that can be spent in the Bridges Baby Boutique.

If you’re interested in serving in this new ministry, or interested in learning more, please contact Russ Parker, Pastor of Administration at russ@lbfchurch.com.