The Bridge, a student-led worship night that typically meets in the Oklahoma Christian University art gallery, is creating a space for students seeking a faith-centered community. Sophomore Tim Clark helped start the gathering last semester.
“It’s a worship night, and it’s a place where anyone can just go there and just worship God. And that’s the whole point. And hopefully through that, you’ll be able to find other people who think the same way and people who are also believers and connect with people that have the same similar preferences as you,” Clark said. “That’s why we have small groups, to give people a chance to connect with each other. So I’d say it’s intentional disciple making.”
The idea for The Bridge developed from a shared desire among students with different gifts.
“It came about because I feel like God has kind of put it in my heart. Obviously I love all the things that Oklahoma Christian does, but I feel like preferences are also part of it. So I thought that, you know, maybe some people would like that too. I prayed about it, and I felt God just say to take a step of faith,” Clark said. “And so I was thinking of just doing the worship part. And then I got close to Finn and Zane this year, and Zane was just blessed naturally in speaking, and Finn has a gift in communicating and just bringing people in. So I felt like God specifically placed the same desire in our hearts but gifted us different gifts.”
At its core, The Bridge seeks authenticity and intimacy.
“I think the whole goal is to expand and increase, but with the intention of just providing another way to worship God. And that’s honestly how I personally experience God is through instrumental worship. So just thinking that some people out there might feel the same way. So more like expanding in a place to grow, so that more people can experience that intimacy and authenticity,” Clark said. “And just realizing that worship is more than just singing songs, but it’s remembering His goodness. It’s praising Him for what He’s done. You don’t have to be perfect. We’re just taking it step by step.”
Clark explains there are multiple ways in which The Bridge likes to gather.
“So we like to mix it up, but normal Bridge nights, I’d say, would be you get there, probably have like 10 to 15 minutes to just talk and just allow people to come in. We normally have four to five songs initially, and that prepares the hearts of people. And after that, we have somebody, either from The Bridge or outside come speak and give a quick message. And after that, we have another four to five songs to close it out,” Clark said. “And throughout the process, if people do want to speak and just share their thoughts, they’re more than welcome. That’s the whole point. Make it very authentic. A safe space for people to just share. And after that, we encourage them to break out into small groups and find people that they don’t know to just connect with them and encourage one another.”
“Something we’re trying to encourage is to go out of your comfort zone and really build community, because it’s really hard to walk this path alone. Second one would be just spontaneous Bridge nights where it’s not really planned. It’s not structured. We could do however many songs, and you can say whatever you want to say, and you can read the Bible. And we like to do those to balance it out,” Clark said. “And we’re trying to make recreational activities, but we have yet to do it. So it’s going to be like, open pickleball or volleyball, just something maybe not faith-related. And this is a good way to just invite those who aren’t as inclined to go to a faith-based thing. And hopefully they’ll be more open, and we can use that as an opportunity to show them that we can have fun without having to do it the world’s way.”
For many students, The Bridge has provided a place for people to fellowship and share their love for the Lord. Freshman Zoe Wisdom has felt that impact.
“My favorite part about The Bridge is just like the community and everybody in there all worshiping. It’s the most amazing feeling, and it’s so hard to describe, because when you’re in there, you just feel like the Holy Spirit is around, and you just feel the sense of peace,” Wisdom said. “You’re worshiping your Father, which is the most amazing thing to do with a community of people all with like minds.”
Wisdom encourages other students to attend and experience it for themselves.
“You need to go experience it. Not only are you gonna experience the community with the people, but you also are able to really understand the power of Christ and how He is able to flow through everyone, and how that is expressed through how people worship, and how bonding that is,” Wisdom said.
To learn more, students can follow The Bridge on Instagram: @the_bridgeworship
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