Rev. David Bridgman, L.H.D.
Associate Director
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Contact Information 3321 Ashmount Drive |
BACKGROUND AND CALL
David is a third generation Presbyterian pastor, born and raised in China, as a child of Southern Presbyterian missionaries. He professed faith in Christ under his father’s discipleship and later spiritually awakened to Christ’s redemptive work as a university student. His call to ministry and seminary came after a summer job in Alaska. Over his lifetime David attended 15 schools, ultimately receiving music and seminary degrees. It was in mid-career that he experienced a life-changing awakening to the Lordship of Christ and “total commitment.”
SERVICE
David spent 43 years in pastoral ministry, including 10 years as Missions Pastor at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Wichita, KS. While at Eastminster, he oversaw a $1 million budget, recruited, trained, and mentored over 40 persons into full-time mission service and pastoral ministry. He has served as a consultant for Urban Ministry Lay training, and worked in migrant ministry, and community development. His overseas experience includes work in Guatemala as pastor of Union Church and the director of earthquake reconstruction projects for paraplegics. In addition David has traveled in China, Korea, Ethiopia, Ghana and Mexico. His served the PC(USA) for six years on General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL, where he served 18 years on the Board of Trustees.
MINISTRY FOCUS
David believes that PRAYER is the first and highest calling of the Church. His Chinese given name, Ai Hua (love china) is indicative of his desire to see strong, indigenous churches develop all across China where there are presently 490 people groups, numbering over 100 million people. In addition to his passion for China, David wants to see to American churches transformed into vibrant, faithful, mission servants especially focused on those who have no access to the Gospel.HOW DAVID CAN HELP YOUR CHURCH
- Teach Perspectives, and other short term seminars
- Preach, Consult, Train and Mentor
- Help US churches build relationships with the emerging Church in China
David says, “Believers and congregations urgently need strengthening and encouragement. We must be awakened to God’s call. We must understand the lessons of the past while we embrace new and effective strategies for today. We must dedicate all our resources — people, skills, technology and stewardship — to God’s Global Vision. We must embrace the network of partnerships available. ‘ We can do better together.’ ”