Cameroon Bible Institute

Chapter 9: Bridging growth.
Bridging growth occurs when a church extends itself across national, linguistics,or ethnic group to plants a church in different cultures.
Bridging growth was part of the plan of the Lord Jesus for extending the gospel through the world. The disciples were to begin their own witness in their own culture at Jerusalem and then expand and plants churches in other area’s of similar cultures.
Philip first bridged the cultural Gap in the rivival in samaria recorded in Acts 8. Peter and John continue the ministry in that area.
Because Paul was called of God to cross-cultural ministry his methods are important in understanding bridging growth of the church.
The ministry of Paul was based on the word of God. As the word of God spread to other cultures, churches were planted Acts 12:24.
The Gospel of the kingdom of God Paul’s message….. He didn’t substitute charitable missions in needy nations for the power of preaching the Gospel. He didn’t use attension getting schemes to draw crowd. People were attracted through the power of the Gospel. So the Gospel must be presented in such a way that it:
~ opens the eyes of the people
~ that they may turn from powers of Satan to God.
~recieve the forgiveness of sins through salvation.
~ receive a spiritual inheritance through sanctification by faith….