Bridgewood began as a dream in Tom and Susan Stuart's heart. Back in 1994 God called them to plant a church that would be a “bridge” for people to learn more about Christ. Beginning in a middle school gymnasium, the church grew quickly over the next seven years and moved into the current building at 11670 Lexington Avenue NE in Blaine.

Building on the Stuarts' vision, Pastor Brendon Fairley has called Bridgewood toward a deeper intimacy with Jesus. Our vision statement "Building a safe place to be with and become like Jesus" is central to everything that is happening at Bridgewood Community Church. 

To help us deepen our intimacy with Jesus, we consistently ask two questions: “Lord, what do you want to say to me?” and “Lord, how do you want me to respond?” These two questions are vital in discerning where we are headed. Our heart's desire is to stay with Jesus no matter where He leads. It is the call of Bridgewood Community Church to walk with Jesus together, modeling His transformational love in our communities, relationships, and with every person we encounter. 

Our hope is that every person, over time, can learn to identify God’s voice and respond to it. These two questions drive our decisions and keep us in a position of obediently abiding in Christ. 

Following are the core beliefs of Bridgewood Community Church based on the foundational truths taught in the Bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these Biblical doctrines.

God
God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
(Genesis 1:1, 1:26-27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Man
Mankind is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. We are the object of God’s radical and obsessive love. Although created to live in an intimate relationship with God, our nature was corrupted by sin causing us to miss the mark of His desired design.
(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2)

Eternity
Man was created to live forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through Christ’s forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in relationship with Him is eternal life.
(John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 25:31-46)

Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God (co-equal with Father and Holy Spirit), fully human, fully divine. He lived a sinless human life making possible His atoning sacrifice (death on the cross) and offer of eternal salvation.
(Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13)

Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to us. We can’t earn it or work for it; it is a gift. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ. Because God gives man eternal life, the believer is secure in salvation forever.
(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1, John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10, 14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son as God. We believe in His empowering presence, and as we seek to surrender to His leading He makes us aware of our need for Jesus. He provides us with renewal, understanding of spiritual truth and the power to live it.
(2 Corinthians 3:17-18; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25)
 
Bible
The Bible is God’s word to all. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.
(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)
 
Baptism
Baptism symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Baptism is not required for salvation, but it is a Biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ.
(Colossians 2:12; Acts 2:41; Ephesians 2: 8-9; Matthew 28:19-20)

Communion
Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus to remember His sacrifice for us. The bread and wine or juice represent Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Communion is not a means of salvation, but rather a testament of each believer’s faith in the work of the cross.
(Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)

Marriage
God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. Together, these two complementary genders reflect the fullness of the image and nature of God. God’s ideal for human sexuality and intimacy is that it be expressed within the bounds of a monogamous, heterosexual marriage covenant. Bridgewood performs marriage ceremonies that align with God’s ideal.
(Genesis 1:26-27, 2:18-25, 1 Corinthians 6:18, 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4)


Final Authority for Matters of Belief and Conduct
Our statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Bridgewood Community Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Leadership Team is Bridgewood’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
 
If you have any questions on any of the above statements, we believe they are best discussed in person. We invite you to seek out a Pastor or Leadership Team member to engage in a conversation to further understand the church’s position.