The Bridge Bible Church: Bakersfield, CA
Our Story
We have an amazing story of being used by God to reach Bakersfield with His love and Grace. It all started in 1999; when Laurelglen Bible Church of Bakersfield acquired 25 acres of property on Stockdale Highway near Allen Road. This area was quickly becoming central to new development on the west side of town, and after much prayer the leadership of LBC decided to take a big step of faith. They moved forward in 2003 with about 75 families committing to take part in a new church plant. Jeff Gowling, previously a pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in New York City, moved here with his family in September to join the team. A new church was born when the first service of The Bridge Bible Church was held on September 14th, 2003, in the Bakersfield Christian High School gymnasium.
We continued to meet at BCHS for the next five years, and even spent some time under a tent in the summer heat before our Worship Center was finished in the fall of 2008. We've experienced God's blessings first-hand as our church continues to grow. Exciting new ministries have been started by people in our church family; such as Flood which reaches out to those hurting in our community, and our Men's Ministry that is being used by God to change lives.
We've added some new staff members along the way, but the heart of The Bridge continues to be our church family who joyfully give their prayers, time, talents and resources for the work of the ministry. You're welcome to join us as we live life together, worship, and reach out to our community and the world.