TEAM
The Bridge, an international, English-language church and ministry center coming to the western and southwestern suburbs of Paris, France, will be launched by a team of people who are committing at least 2 years to seeing it become a reality.
Katie Bailey comes from Phoenix, Arizona and has lived in The Netherlands for the last two years where she served on the team that launched Hilversum International Christian Center, a church that opened in the spring of 2006 in a bedroom community of Amsterdam. Katie is an ordained minister and comes with a helpful mix of personal qualities, including a great enthusiasm for people and a willingness to serve in a team however she can. She will moving to Paris in the summer of 2009 to begin a year of French language study. More can be learned about Katie at www.katiebailey.wordpress.com.
Robby & Tracy Bradford, along with their three sons, Jack (9), Xander (7), and Noah (born 12 November 2007) will move to Paris in June 2009. After studying French for a year in Albertville, France, teaching Bible and theology in Brussels, Belgium (Continental Theological Seminary), and planting Hilversum International Christian Center in Holland, the Bradford family looks with anticipation to serving The Bridge as team leaders and The Bridge’s first lead pastor. The Bradford’s first moved to Europe in 2000.
Jason “J” & Celeste Brown, along with 11-month-old Javan, will be moving to France in the summer of 2009, taking a year to study French, and then joining The Bridge. J and Celeste are both ordained ministers and bring a great deal of experience and skills with them. More can be learned about this Phoenix, Arizona couple by looking at their website at http://www.lighttoeurope.com.
Stephen & Ellie Courtney, along with their two-year old Natalie, will be coming to Paris for a two-year assignment to work in the areas of youth minstry and building up the church’s overall ministry initiatives. Stephen is an ordained minister, serving at Maranatha Worship Center in Wichita, Kansas for the past five years as an associate and youth pastor. More can be learned about the Courtneys at www.courtneyspostcard.com.
Kelly Delp, of Indianapolis will join The Bridge team in January 2010, just a few months before the public launch of The Bridge. Kelly brings remarkable talents in music, art, video, and photography, as well as a passion for young people. More can be learned about Kelly at www.kellydelp.wordpress.com.
Jeroen & Maaike Kemperman are the first team members to arrive in Paris, having moved in June 2008. The Kemperman’s were a part of Hilversum International Christian Center in the Netherlands and served in the areas of worship, multimedia, small groups and in the financial board of the church. They see the job that has brought Jeroen & Maaike to France as an opportunity that God as brought to pass. We look forward to seeing how God will use them in the establishment of The Bridge in the areas of leadership, worship and small groups.
Jeff & Kathy Slaughter will move with the son Nick to be a part of The Bridge Team in June 2010. They have lived in Europe for a decade, most recently in Brussels. The Slaughters have developed a number of ministries related to worship and the arts and served Brussels Christian Center as Worship Pastor for several years. We are pleased to be welcoming Jeff as The Bridge’s first Pastor of Worship and Creative Arts. More can be learned about this creative couple at www.chezslaughter.com.
Todd & Amanda Tyson are moving to Paris to work alongside us on The Bridge. The Tysons are no strangers to European church planting, having collaborated with us on the start of Hilversum International Christian Center in the Netherlands. Todd is an ordained minister with more than a decade of pastoral experience. This family will move to France in January 2009 to begin a year of French language study before joining The Bridge team full-time. More can be learned about the Tyson’s at www.tysontidings.com.
Nigel and Esther Wiggins, along with their three daughters, Abigail, Rebekah, and Sara, will be moving to Paris this summer to join The Bridge Team. Robby met the Wiggins family in the Netherlands from their native Wales when they moved there in part to be a part of the team at Hilversum International Christian Center. At HICC, they served in board leadership and started a number of small groups that drew people into the life of the church. Nigel and Esther bring strong gifts in music, children’s ministry and leadership. Their friendship has meant a great deal to the Bradford family and others on the team who lived in Holland in the past. We are thrilled to see their involvement and look forward to seeing their contribution to The Bridge. Learn more at www.wigginsfamily.info.
Gordon & Faye White of Hamlin, Pennsylvania will be joining The Bridge in November 2009. With a mastery of the French language and with 30 years of ministry behind them, Gordon and Faye will be moving to France, after having lived in Switzerland and spending significant time in France more than 20 years ago. We look forward to having this couple here, who already have here in Paris. Beyond their history in Europe, the Whites also have lived in the west African countries of Togo and Ivory Coast.
Mark and Tania Wolf of Mayville, Wisconsin are preparing to move to Paris in the fall of 2009 to be a part of the initial launch team of The Bridge. The Wolfs bring a great love for children and youth to our team. More can be learned about the Wolf family at www.markawolf.com.
Interested in joining The Bridge’s launch team and future church staff? We are looking for 15-20 people who will join us for a minimum of two years! Those coming from the US are asked to apply to come with us through the Assemblies of God World Missions program called “Missionary Associates.” Before taking the step of contacting them, feel free to contact Robby Bradford, whose contact information can be found under “Contact” on the menu at the top of this page. We’re looking for people to fill a variety of roles–no professional ministry experience is necessary, though it is welcome!
Do you have a passion for connecting with people from other cultures for God’s kingdom? This could be for you! Contact Robby Bradford today at robert.bradford@agmd.org!
