PFF Bridges of God Instant Inventory

Use this inventory to discern who is on the other side of your church's Bridges of God. It is not intended to substitute for a more thorough and prayerful work of discovery by your church. It ought to give you a good head start in the direction of an unreached people group which God has been preparing your church to reach with the gospel.

What are Bridges of God?

Bridges of God are historic relational connections through which God leads us into new faith ventures. They are marked by the providential convergence of various factors indicating how the Holy Spirit has been preparing us, in advance of our willingness, to venture into a new calling.

Bridges of God are discerned not so much through the efforts of human wisdom or elaborate studies by task forces. A church is led to its Bridges of God by prayerful consideration of how God has worked in its past.

Especially important indicators are the historic relationships which a church has had within the larger Body of Christ in the world. Personal callings of current members of the local church are keys to confirm and to enter into avenues of opportunity discovered through these Bridges of God.

This Instant Inventory suggests four basic areas in which to search for Bridges of God leading to an unreached people group. The four basic areas of search are listed below.

To find your Bridges of God, simply print out this web page and jot down your church's history and connections. Quickly review the Bridges of God in the life of your church. The results may give an early indication of where God is leading your church to look for its unreached people group.

As you review your church's pilgrimage, use the examples listed below the area headings to jog your memory and your imagination. Jot down on a sheet of paper the history you are aware of which might lead to either a geographic area of the world, or more specifically, a particular people group to which you are being led.

Areas to Assess in order to 'spot' your Bridges of God:

Geographical and Diplomatic Connections

Sister city relations
Immigrant or refugee populations
Pastoral field visits
Business travel

Congregational Gifts and Callings

Language abilities
Leadership available, with a burden for a people group
Exceptional guidance (dreams, visions, callings)
Available financial resources

Presbyterian Connections

Presbytery International Partnerships
Church to Church Partnerships
Mission to the USA
Requests from National Church(es)
Existing PC(USA) Frontier Mission Connections

Mission Sending and Support History

Frontier missionaries
Currently supported missionaries
Previous missionaries
Short term missions

In what direction are your bridges leading you?

Do they suggest a geographic area of the world?
A specific people group?
If so, then write down what they suggest:

• Geographic area
• People Group