Bridgeway Community Church

www.BridgewayOnline.org/Godstories

God Stories

Krystal

Its amazing how God Continues to work in my life. I happened to run into Pastor Anderson at the Columbia Mall the other day. I felt bad at first , because I had been working on Sundays, therefore missing out on church. But I went up to pastor anyway, and introduced myself.  I asked him what has been the recent series. When he informed me that it was on dating and married life I told him, that was something I had been struggling with. I am 24 yrs old, and single and in all honesty, just experienced my first date this past Friday. It was interesting. However, prior to this date, maybe weeks ago, I had been struggling with a certain close guy friend of mine, that I happen to be very attracted to. But I realized.something was missing, and could have been why what I wanted was not happening for me. I was putting such heavy focus on the guy that I thought was right for me, but ignoring all the things God wants for me. I just finished watching last weeks sermon online (thank God for technology). Pastor hit it on the nose for me when he said, “on your tree bear fruit and let God handle your pursuit.” With that said, this is what I will pray for.  I ask that my relationship with God be strengthened, and I pray that he will guide my heart to who he feels is best. After watching the sermon, my worries of finding that guy in my life diminished, and with time, faith, and trust in Jesus Christ all things, even relationships;) are possible. God bless you all and thank you for opening my eyes.

Karin

I need to send our God a shout out tonight. By God's graces and given talent, my husband and I are having an amazing 4 weeks. All 3 of us have begun a pet sitting service which has given us 4 new clients to care for in the past 3 weeks.    We know that animal care is our calling because it is soooooo right sooo far. WAY TO GO GOD. WE LOVE YOU !!

Barry Coley

I should have written earlier, but I'm doing the typical late night thing.  It looks like the kingdom of God is at hand...  These days more people (276) from the church are attending Tuesday night prayer. People are banding together and finding out the power of corporate prayer at the prayer meeting where "by His wounds we are healed," Isaiah 53:5 is one Scripture that comes to life.



I was going to wait until prayer meeting to talk about it, but like Jeremiah said, "It's like fire shut up in my bones."   As you know I've been on a 2 year journey in my fight against bladder cancer.  One doctor told me that he had never seen a case like mine in his 20+ years of practice so he turned me over to Johns Hopkins.  I went through a serious treatment regimen at Hopkins and at one point, even their medication did not work. However, GOD is working.  Each Tuesday evening, we praise the LORD, gain blessings, and witness marvelous things from our amazing GOD!   Now, I'm part of the story.   Five weeks ago when I missed prayer meeting due to a cancer treatment you prophetically told my wife, Rosemary, son Joel, and the prayer warriors I would be healed.   Last Sunday, while praying with the Altar Prayer Team I received a confirmation on my healing from our team leader, Sierra McCoy.  The best way to know that GOD is moving is when prophecy comes true.   It did.

I AM HEALED.   After my procedure on Thursday the doctor came to me and said "Congratulations!   It's beautiful.  I couldn't find any cancer cells...see you in three months."

I was whoozy from the anesthesia, so I had to ask my son, Jordan, who was my driver for the day if I heard the doctor correctly.   He said. "Yeah, the doctor did say some weird things... Beautiful?"

Well, I guess even our bladders are fearfully and wonderfully made; and God honored my prayer which I took from Jeremiah 17:14, "Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed.   Save me and I will be saved.  For YOU are my praise!"   JESUS is our praise!   Let us praise HIM together!   I thank the LORD and can't wait to give a big 6ft bear hug to all the warriors who were there for me.   

Tuesday night prayer has something going on that's just amazing!  There are a whole bunch of stories unfolding everyday and especially on Sunday thanks to the JOY GOD gives us in Tuesday night prayer.    I hope that more of Bridgeway will come out. I can promise once you feel the JOY, you'll never be the same!  

Melanie Newman

I had been severely sick with an intestinal bug that started right after Sunday's service on 4/19. I didn't sleep that night and spent much of Monday in the ER.    This was very distressing and was worried that I would have another sleepless night.  So, I fell asleep feeling anxious.  While I slept, I had one dream that repeated.  This dream was futuristic in nature, violent and very disturbing. I felt that this dream had been a message of God to me and that I was to share this message to a few people.  The message was simply this: That no matter what the sin, once given over to God, you are forgiven and are able to live in the presence of God – even when there is no oxygen. It then dawned on me that I was feeling much better than I had, that I had slept through the night and woke with a true sense of peace.  God had heard my calls of help with the bad dreams and it was the songbird that woke me and I believe that it was God who heard my prayer to allow me to return to sleep without dreams of hate and violence but with his Spirit.  I did fall back asleep and had dreams of salvation and ascension to be with God.  What a wonderful, loving God we have!

Anonymous

You have brought me closer to the God. I mean I am a sinner, I couldn’t say stuff like this in the past but I am, like everyone in this world, I have sinned, no if and or buts about it. It used to be very hard for me to really understand this, guessing because all the fun I have had in life. I am now so open with God, I do not hide from him anymore. I have and will continue to sit and talk with him, I can tell him EVERYTHING. I mean EVERYTHING. And I think he is awesome!!! I think his plan is AWSOME!!!  Everyday I try to keep his words in me. I use to think about what people thought about me. Why should I worry about people judging me? I am here working for God and his plan - we all are. I truly appreciate everything he has blessed me with for if it wasn’t for him I would have nothing. I know now my rewards did not come from my hard work but my reward comes from God for working hard on his plan. I pray I never lose him in my sight. I walk this earth now with ALL of my hope and prayers I never lose God in my sight. I imagine I am walking holding his hand while he keeps his promise to me. He LOVES you so much. Believe it, he really Loves you so much it is incredible! I have never been more sure about anything in my life. HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH!  It is True! That is all that matters. Everything he has promised you he has given it to you.

David

I wanted to share my God story, not because it’s any more powerful than any others shared today, but because the Lord is compelling me to do so.  My core struggles and strongholds can be traced back to a very dysfunctional and painful childhood, and specifically a hurtful relationship with my father’s second wife.  On Thanksgiving weekend, she invited the family over for a baby shower for my youngest brother and his girlfriend.  Around that time I finally began to notice that I no longer felt any anger or bitterness towards her.  I actually enjoyed spending time around her at her house.  The Lord further prompted me to invite her to the Bridgeway Christmas services.  She came to the Tuesday night show, along with my brother and his girlfriend.  Her positive feedback to me was like medicine to me.  I felt incredible, sincere joy at seeing her and my brother there. All I can say is, it appears that the Lord has miraculously healed my heart and has removed the root of anger and bitterness towards her.  It’s gone!  Kaput!  Vamoose!  I still have a way to go in some other areas, but this is a very significant milestone in my life, and I praise Jesus for His unfailing, unending and longsuffering love for me.  This Saturday will be my 42^nd birthday.  In March, I will celebrate my 21^st spiritual birthday, and do the math… 21 years lost, 21 years saved.  I am confident that the Lord is indeed in control and is on the throne of my life. To Him be all the praise and the glory, David.

Nyasha

I have been to Bridgeway twice, and I have truly enjoyed the services. I just want to thank God for all his done for me and the opportunities he has given me. I just want to encourage everyone, by saying that God can do all things. Sometimes life can take us to that place in which we really feel like we are in the valley of the shadow of death. I have been there, and I was depressed for so long. God lifted me up, restored me and gave me that peace that passes all understanding. I have learned how to praise God and know that he has everything under control. He knows our strengths and weaknesses, and loves us unconditionally. I am glad that I am a living testimony of God's grace, and I know that whatever life circumstances come my way he will be there by my side. I want to encourage everyone to pray for one another.

Myra Wagstaff

The gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, His gift of love, His gift of protection, His gift of forgiveness, His gift of mercy, His gift of abundant grace, His gift of provision.  His gift of my CAR! My story is too long, the circumstances, at times, too bizarre, my situation, not unlike a lot of other people.  I've had my car for 16 years and God has carried it through hot summers and cold winters, keeping me and my family safe from point A to point B.  But I felt that it was now time to get another car.  Though I had been praying about this and going through the motions of trying to get a car for a while, it just became apparent to me that maybe it was not in God's time frame to answer me now and I was OK with that!  When I came to church on Sunday, September 14, I was through with the whole car issue. My prayer was that if He would just get my car through the winter, maybe in the spring I could try to get something else, and I was settled and at peace.  And then, with His infinite graciousness and through no merit on my part, He dropped my new car, my Maxima (the most high end car I have Ever owned in my life!!) in my lap!   All praise, glory and honor to My God, my King, my heavenly Father.    "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." 1 Corinthians 9:15.

Marcia Allicock

For the past few months, things went downhill for me. I had lost my job and due to previous circumstances had been unhappy for a while. A close friend of mine invited me to Bridgeway. I found many excuses not to accept, however one day in September she asked again and this time I decided to accept. When I arrived at Bridgeway, I entered the lobby and this feeling came over me , I just felt like crying. I sat there just soaking up the atmosphere, tears in my eyes. I then entered the auditorium, I have never felt so overwhelmed in my life; all I did was cry, for seemingly no reason. I accepted God's call that day. Today, God  has restored my life. I have found a church that I call home, friends, encouragement and support. Recently, even a job and a babysitter for my daughter. I submitted to God and he has started a work in me that he is able to finish, trusting God is such an awesome experience. Thank you Jesus. Thank you friends at Bridgeway for prayer. I am now ready and eager to do my part in the family of God, to tell of his love and sing of his mercy and grace. Bless God.

Maria Valentin

Recently my husband Isaac went to visit your church. He loved it and decided to visit and visit again. He has found the love of God and I am so happy for him. Though he does not live in your state, he is hoping he can find the same church out here in NJ. He loves the way pastor speaks and he knows that through pastor Anderson he is knowing God. When he calls me to let me know that he visited the church he calls with joy and thrilled to call out the name of Jesus out loud. He said to me, “I love God and I am not afraid or ashamed to tell anyone how I feel about Him.” I am happy for him! May God bless Isaac in his future life. May he find what he is looking for…God!

Derek

I give thanks to God and the fellow people of Bridgeway. I thank you all for the support to my friend Lilly Berrios-Gomez. 2 weeks ago I asked for prayer and contribution to my friend’s charity goal for Walk for Breast Cancer. She was worried that she would not make her goal but she did and was given more then what was required. That is the pureness and goodness of Jesus Christ. I believe He makes a way and now He has help someone I have prayed for. Again Thank you.

Kim Brown

A small blessing: my husband lost his wallet in church on Sunday and didn't realize it until hours after the last service. This morning we got a call from the church. Besides having all his personal belongings in it, it is sentimental to me because it was the first Christmas present that I bought him when we started dating almost nine years ago.  Thank you Lord for even making the small things important, and thank you Melanie at the Bridgeway office!

Lisa

I am very excited for the Christ-instance that came about in our lives.   I'm incredibly blessed by your friendship and feel humbled by the presence of God in my life through you and your church.  Please tell everyone I am so thankful for their faithfulness and prayers.  I pray that God would continue to bless your pastor, your church and your women's study session and  your family, in ways that surpass all understanding.  I have shared my story and have been a witness for God's work since I met you and I know it has strengthened ME and those who I share my story with, in their walk with the Lord. I just loved the link you sent me about your church.  I pray that the Lord would see fit for me to visit you one day so I can personally thank everyone and they can personally hear and see what the Lord has done.  May God Bless You, protect you and your loved ones with his armor.  

Tabitha Green

I want to thank God for the opportunity and blessing to be a part of Tuesday Night Prayer.  This was the first time that I've attended and I was completely overwhelmed by God's love.  For the first time in my walk with the Lord, I experienced a closeness with God that I cannot explain.  It was like His presence was more real than ever.  The testimonies that were shared moved me and increased my faith tremendously.  To hear what God is doing in other peoples lives reinforced what He could do in mine and the ones I love.  Nothing is impossible with God and I experienced that last night. Specifically, I want to thank Pastor David for praying over me and offering wise, godly counsel about a family member's struggle.  This entire experience is growing my faith, "outside of the box" and helping me to realize that there are no limits to God's power and grace. God Bless You.

Patrick

A few weeks ago my kid sister's life which looked poised for positive times instead took a dramatic turn in the other direction as a medical checkup revealed she had issues with blood circulation in her heart. This was news we received on a Thursday and now understand that by God's design, she was not able to see a recommended specialist until the following Monday. We set aside Saturday as a day of prayer and fasting on her behalf. On Monday she received a clean bill of health. I listened to Dr. Anderson this morning and said to myself this was an opportunity like no other to declare the goodness of the Lord. That He is faithful, all-powerful, all-knowing, gracious, full of love, beyond my understanding... definitely out of the box. He is patient, He quietly reminds me of who He is. That even in my times of blindness and walk by sight, He does not leave me... That He promises when it's all said and done, His purposes for my life will indeed come to pass. That I must trust in Him, as unpolished as I am today, when He is done...His name be praised forever and ever.

Leticia

If there was anything I learned this past Sunday, it was to give God the Glory through everything.  Though this was injected in me early in my Christian life, sometimes we just seem to forget this.  Giving God the glory through it all is something so awesome that brings you closer to God more than ever.  I was able to put this to the test this week.  My parents have had some rough financial times in the past two years.  My dad had to move back to RI from FL, for us to make ends meet.  Our family was separated for quite some time.  I was married in the spring and in the summer my whole family moved back to RI, where they thought God was calling them.  That was about a year ago.  Still, things are tough.  My dad was seriously injured at his job and has not worked ever since.  Receiving workers compensation and my mom not working, the situations just got worse.  My mom decided late last year to take a culinary course, since she had been looking for jobs but nothing was available.  She graduated early this year and was proud to finally finish something.  She looked and looked and looked, but never received a single phone call for a job.  She then decided to temporarily move back to Florida and help a cousin start up a cleaning business.  She was there for about two months until my dad worsened.  The collection calls and stress were taking a toll on him and his blood pressure sky rocketed.  She moved back to RI to take care of him.  Though my parents are both Christian, there were times they just couldn't see the sun light in the cave they felt they were in.  This past Sunday, my parents and I came in agreement that we would fast Monday, giving God the glory and thanking him for all the GREAT things he would do in there lives.  Monday came and we fasted.  That morning, my mom called me she received a call for a job.  She interviewed and was hired to start the following day.  This has really reminded me that God is ALWAYS listening and that by making an effort, things will move.  Most importantly, to always remember to stay in thanksgiving, no matter what surrounds you and what the situation may seem. His Power, His Glory, His Grace.  AMAZING!

Sarah and Evan Tornquist

God recently did a miracle in my husbands family. Recently, about a few months ago my brother-in-law who was 30 years old at the time was in a major motorcycle accident that involved a 4 car collision!  At the time of the collision he was alone almost 2 hours away from home. According to the police report and witnesses Erik had no stopping distance or room to not hit a car at 40 mph! He was smashed into an SUV and sandwiched between the vehicle and his motorcycle, with his left leg getting most of the blow. A man who saw the accident ran into a local pet store and alerted people to call 911. A woman who was inside the store ran out and saw Erik lying on the floor fortunately completely conscious, with severe burns across his body and his left leg barely hanging on.  She was the one who contacted my mother-in-law of the accident on Erik's cell phone. The woman stayed with Erik comforting him and holding him until the ambulance came. But before the ambulance came, a man unknown to the woman and Erik came running toward them and took off his own belt and wrapped Erik's leg in a way that stopped the blood, and as we learned later SAVED HIS LIFE! After doing this, the woman said the man got up and somehow "disappeared into thin air". The ambulance reported that Erik lost 2 whole Liters of blood before that angel came to tie his leg together, they said anymore and he would've died! God was with him! After a few hours of family arriving at the hospital, we learned that Erik was only a few blocks away from the BEST trauma unit in the state! Praise God he had no head injury! They did need to amputate his left leg because it was so severe, but God had restored every last piece of him! Praise God he is alive and has one perfect working leg! Praise God he has two perfect working hands and arms! Praise God no other injury had occurred! God has been good to us!

In addition, my husband and I who were in need of a working car for a few months were blessed by our family's church in NJ with a wonderful 1996 Dodge Caravan! Praise God! This would be the second vehicle we've received by donation of the church in less than two years! God is surely good! I felt compelled to share this with Bridgeway family as well as remind myself of how mighty and powerful and merciful God is to all that put their trust in Him!

God has also blessed us with Bridgeway Community Church, since my husband and I moved here a few months ago! We were in a desperate search for a church that we could call home! Through a job interview my husband went on, the name Bridgeway Community Church was introduced by a group of ladies he interviewed with! My husband decided to decline the job offer, but when God closes one door he opens a window! Bridgeway is our window and I thank God for it all!! I hope this blesses someone!