By Peter Young, Senior Pastor  

• It was in 1979, when I was 22, that the Lord first called to pastoral ministry.  Beginning in 1983, God began to speak to me about the kind of church He wanted me to oversee - one that He would build through my ministry as a pastor. 

  He spoke to me about a gathering of whole-hearted people who would be radically sold out to God, wanting to make a difference in the world.  Because this group would be earnest in seeking God’s face, I felt God would visit this group with the fullness of His Holy Spirit and with His Kingdom presence and power.  It would be this ongoing visitation from God that would provide the fire and wisdom for these people to build a church that would make a difference. 

  I saw that this group of people would function as a dynamic, supportive community in Christ.  “Depth, commitment, and realness” were key words that I felt would describe their relationships with one another. I also knew that this church would be very intentional in its ministry process.  Programs would be aligned with our vision and focused on winning, supporting, growing, empowering, and sending disciples to change the world.  New churches would be born in the process.

  God had a lengthy preparation for me before I was prepared to lead a church with this vision.  Over the next 16 years I sat under four different mentors, served in various church leadership positions, and completed a Master of Divinity degree from Denver Seminary.  God waited until I more fully embodied this vision day to day in my life!   After receiving direction from the Lord to church plant in 1995, my wife and I prayed for two years, along with two other couples.  During this time, the Lord spoke specifically about the calling and character of this church.  We also knew we had to wait until God released it in His perfect timing. In January, 1997, the Lord released Gwen and I to step out into leadership of this faith-vision. 

  On February 8, 1997 a small group of about 20 people was born in our home.  As a group, we processed the vision God had given us.  From this early community, we launched a Sunday morning church service in January of 1998 at Southmoor Elementary.  In September, 2000 we purchased a house for offices and ministry and moved to Thomas Jefferson High School.  From this time forward, God has been at work gathering and building this church.  What a joy it has been to see God at work!  In 2002, we made our move from Thomas Jefferson to the building we currently occupy. 

  In 2004, we had a year of unexpected transition.  We had a year of unexpected shifting and realignment.  This was a difficult time of processing change as a church, taking time to examine our foundations, dialoguing with other, choosing to bless, and waiting on God.  After lengthy dialogue, the area Vineyard leadership does not see our church as fitting the direction the Vineyard is taking.  We chose to leave graciously and with blessing.  Our final take on all this transition was that God wanted to release us to become all that He has in His heart for our church.  We part as friends, becoming BridgeWay Church. 

  Our new name BridgeWay came after many months of prayer.  We chose this name because we see our church as being a bridge to many different areas.  These areas include: 

  • A bridge to the lost - Bridging people through evangelism to the Way (Jesus)
  • A bridge to Heaven - Bridging Kingdom realities to the church and our community
  • A bridge to purpose - Bridging believers to realize their Kingdom destiny
  • A bridge to evangelicals - Bridging evangelical Christians to the ministry of the Spirit
  • A bridge to the city - Bridging churches in Denver for the sake of revival

  We believe each person whom God gathers to this church body will become a part of our collective story. We truly believe that God is building a great church here, simply by gathering and building a people who have a great heart after Him.  We hope that you too find a home here and all of us look forward to seeing how your life with us will impact who we are becoming.

  Our Purpose

  Our purpose is to be a people passionate for Christ; together, whose lives are changed by His Kingdom presence, resulting in mature, Spirit-filled, reproducing disciples that give Christ away to others in the power of His love and Spirit.

  Our Rallying Cries

  • Pursuing God, changing lives, impacting the world.
  • Winning, supporting, growing, empowering, and sending disciples to change the world.
  • A people finding adventure together in Christ  

  Our Ministry Target

  More important than our physical location is the spiritual territory we believe God wants us to occupy.  We hope to be distinguished by our radical pursuit of God, the character of our people, the presence and power of God in our ministry, the quality of our relationships, our equipping and sending focus, and our real, authentic, and naturally-supernatural style. We aim to catch:

  • Sold-out believers - People with a burning hunger and passion for God and His purposes.
  • Evangelicals looking for a greater experience of the Kingdom His Holy Spirit.
  • De-churched, disenfranchised Christians looking for a “real” church experience.
  • The Lost - unbelievers looking for identity, purpose and healing.
  • City of Denver – We want to reach people from the whole city.
  • People of Diversity – We want to reach people of all ages, race, and socio-economic background.  The unifying factor will be a passion for God, His presence, and His Spirit.

  Key Promises God Has Given Us

  • His Presence - Psalm 102:28 - “The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.”
  • His Kingdom - Micah 5:8, Hosea 11:9-10; Amos 3:8, Is. 31:4  - Idea: The Lion of Judah is a holy God among His people, going forth into the world to establish His Kingdom.
  • His Holiness - Hosea 10:12 - “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” 
  • His Provision - Mt. 6:33 - “Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 
  • His Victory - Josh. 5:13 - 6:13 - Idea:  Commander of Lord’s army leads God’s people in holy war for the land and His Kingdom, conquering the enemy and devoting all to Himself.
  • His Healing - Is. 61 all (esp.1-3) -  Idea: We are called to bring healing and preach the Kingdom to the disenfranched; sowing joy and hope, establishing a planting of the Lord.
  • His Revival - Jn. 12:32 -  “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself.”
  • His Power - Zech. 4:6b - ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty. 
  • His Training - Duet. 8 all - Idea: God’s people are led on a pilgrimage through the desert so they might learn to depend on God in faith, not themselves, and so that when they live in the land of promise they will recognize all blessing and provision is from God’s hand alone.