Who We Are
Bridge Builders is the Community Impact Team of Thrive Christian Fellowship. The mission of Bridge Builders is to "build bridges" between the THRIVE church family, our community and existing community resources. The "I" in THRIVE stands for "Impact". As an integral part of the vision of THRIVE, everyone who considers themselves a member of the THRIVE family is also a part of Bridge Builders.
What We Do
We approach community impact from the perspective that we want to support and participate in existing ministries. The goal is to continually increase awareness of existing ministry resources and opportunities in our community and encourage our members to serve where God leads them. Please check out the ministries below and pray to see if God is leading you to participate in any of these areas or become familiar with these resources so that you can point people to them as God leads you.
In addition to supporting existing ministries, if you have a passion, gifting or calling to do something community related that you would like to discuss, please come talk to us. We would love to see how we can encourage and empower you where God is leading. We are particularly interested in speaking with you if you have a passion for tutoring, financial/life skill counseling, ministering to those struggling with addiction, or organizing ways to bless workers in our community such as teachers, first responders, health care workers, and social services.
Our Current Partnerships and Opportunities
Mobile Food Pantry: (4th Sundays) Meet in the KGES parking lot at 3 pm! We deliver food to those in need, develop relationships and pray with the community. Meeting time may be changed on any given Sunday depending on circumstance so check the announcements on Sunday to confirm times, or please contact Joy Eakins (joyeakins761@gmail.com) and Ava Schopfel (agschopfel@aol.com) for more information,
Afghan Welcome Families: WELCOME FAMILIES is Fredericksburg's inter-church ministry effort to respond to the unprecedented opportunity God is giving us to impact Afghan lives with Christ's love and truth. If you're interested, please fill out the interest survey at https://forms.gle/fqsp5QoaUU5e1NzT6. This does not commit you! It does get you into the regular communication channels for training and events. For additional information, please contact David Bush at david@thrivekg.org.
Living Free: Living Free is a ministry for people struggling with addiction or other "life-controlling" issues. Living Free typically meets in a small group setting and provides great discipleship materials to lead people to Christ and growing in the Christian walk by addressing a variety of their needs. Visit https://livingfree.org/ or please contact J.D Foringer for more information at jdforginer@gmail.com.
Trauma Healing: Trauma Healing is a ministry that will help you deal with traumatic events in your life, including those that happened many years ago, and are lingering and affecting you in some manner. If you suffer from hopelessness, nightmares, ongoing sadness or exhaustion, unexplained anger, flashbacks, being overwhelmed, feelings of isolation or unprocessed grief, this small group setting may be for you. The goal is to bring healing to wounds to the heart - emotions, spirit, soul - from trauma or loss." "The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope." - Psalm 34:18. Contact Mary Helen at (maryhelen@thrivekg.org) to learn more.
Grief Share: Grief Share is a community group that meets for 12 sessions at a time in the community to help people process grief. For more information or to sign up for the next session, please visit https://www.griefshare.org/holidays/events/46721
Appalachian Ministries: Members of Thrive visit and bless communities in rural Kentucky with essential supplies, food, general outreach and prayers. Contact Tina Shorter (tinashorter4@gmail.com) or Tara Hudelson (Tarahudelson16@gmail.com) for more information.
Hope Reins Ranch: Hope Reins Ranch is a faith-based equine youth ministry. At-risk youth are partnered with rescue horses for healing opportunities. Email hopereinsva@gmail.com or call 540-604-2948 for more information.
Thurman Brisben Center: The Thurman Brisben Center is the Fredericksburg area’s community's largest full service, year-round, residential emergency homeless center. Groups are needed to provide meals at the center. Donations are also needed. Please visit https://www.brisbencenter.org/mealprogram for more information or to sign up directly.
Choices Womens’ Center: IMGN Life is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to nurture and grow a community that values life. IMGN Life directly supports the life-saving medical efforts of Choices Women’s Center Contact them at connect@imgnlife.org for more information or visit https://imgnlife.org/
Farmer's Market in King George: On the first Saturday of each month during the Farmer's Market season Thrive sets up an information tent from 0700 to 1200. Bridge Builders' volunteers at the tent have an opportunity to get to know more people in the community, offers information on our church and meeting time, welcomes visitors, offers prayers and more as the Spirit moves us, has activities for children, and shares information about Bridge Builders ministries that may be helpful to the individuals visiting the tent. Contact marthajokeener@gmail.com for more information.
Ainsley's Angels: Ainsley’s’ Angels (AA) is Inclusive Racing, ensuring everyone can experience endurance events. AA aims to build awareness about our special needs community through inclusion in all aspects of life, by promoting awareness, providing education and participating as active members in local communities. Visit www.ainsleysangels.org for more information and to sign up for the newsletter as an Angel volunteer, Angel Runner, or Angel Athlete. Contact Michele Tritt for more specific information at fredericksburg@ainsleysangels.org
For more general questions about Bridge Builders at Thrive, please email Ben and Michele Tritt at bridgebuilders@thrivekg.org or catch us before or after Sunday service at Thrive!
Mobile Food Pantry: (4th Sundays) Meet in the KGES parking lot at 3 pm! We deliver food to those in need, develop relationships and pray with the community. Meeting time may be changed on any given Sunday depending on circumstance so check the announcements on Sunday to confirm times, or please contact Joy Eakins (joyeakins761@gmail.com) and Ava Schopfel (agschopfel@aol.com) for more information,
Afghan Welcome Families: WELCOME FAMILIES is Fredericksburg's inter-church ministry effort to respond to the unprecedented opportunity God is giving us to impact Afghan lives with Christ's love and truth. If you're interested, please fill out the interest survey at https://forms.gle/fqsp5QoaUU5e1NzT6. This does not commit you! It does get you into the regular communication channels for training and events. For additional information, please contact David Bush at david@thrivekg.org.
Living Free: Living Free is a ministry for people struggling with addiction or other "life-controlling" issues. Living Free typically meets in a small group setting and provides great discipleship materials to lead people to Christ and growing in the Christian walk by addressing a variety of their needs. Visit https://livingfree.org/ or please contact J.D Foringer for more information at jdforginer@gmail.com.
Trauma Healing: Trauma Healing is a ministry that will help you deal with traumatic events in your life, including those that happened many years ago, and are lingering and affecting you in some manner. If you suffer from hopelessness, nightmares, ongoing sadness or exhaustion, unexplained anger, flashbacks, being overwhelmed, feelings of isolation or unprocessed grief, this small group setting may be for you. The goal is to bring healing to wounds to the heart - emotions, spirit, soul - from trauma or loss." "The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope." - Psalm 34:18. Contact Mary Helen at (maryhelen@thrivekg.org) to learn more.
Grief Share: Grief Share is a community group that meets for 12 sessions at a time in the community to help people process grief. For more information or to sign up for the next session, please visit https://www.griefshare.org/holidays/events/46721
Appalachian Ministries: Members of Thrive visit and bless communities in rural Kentucky with essential supplies, food, general outreach and prayers. Contact Tina Shorter (tinashorter4@gmail.com) or Tara Hudelson (Tarahudelson16@gmail.com) for more information.
Hope Reins Ranch: Hope Reins Ranch is a faith-based equine youth ministry. At-risk youth are partnered with rescue horses for healing opportunities. Email hopereinsva@gmail.com or call 540-604-2948 for more information.
Thurman Brisben Center: The Thurman Brisben Center is the Fredericksburg area’s community's largest full service, year-round, residential emergency homeless center. Groups are needed to provide meals at the center. Donations are also needed. Please visit https://www.brisbencenter.org/mealprogram for more information or to sign up directly.
Choices Womens’ Center: IMGN Life is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to nurture and grow a community that values life. IMGN Life directly supports the life-saving medical efforts of Choices Women’s Center Contact them at connect@imgnlife.org for more information or visit https://imgnlife.org/
Farmer's Market in King George: On the first Saturday of each month during the Farmer's Market season Thrive sets up an information tent from 0700 to 1200. Bridge Builders' volunteers at the tent have an opportunity to get to know more people in the community, offers information on our church and meeting time, welcomes visitors, offers prayers and more as the Spirit moves us, has activities for children, and shares information about Bridge Builders ministries that may be helpful to the individuals visiting the tent. Contact marthajokeener@gmail.com for more information.
Ainsley's Angels: Ainsley’s’ Angels (AA) is Inclusive Racing, ensuring everyone can experience endurance events. AA aims to build awareness about our special needs community through inclusion in all aspects of life, by promoting awareness, providing education and participating as active members in local communities. Visit www.ainsleysangels.org for more information and to sign up for the newsletter as an Angel volunteer, Angel Runner, or Angel Athlete. Contact Michele Tritt for more specific information at fredericksburg@ainsleysangels.org
For more general questions about Bridge Builders at Thrive, please email Ben and Michele Tritt at bridgebuilders@thrivekg.org or catch us before or after Sunday service at Thrive!
