A Bible-Teaching Church on Rancho Conejo Boulevard

The Bridge Church meets on Rancho Conejo Boulevard in Newbury Park, the neighborhood tucked at the western edge of Thousand Oaks in Ventura County. The congregation has long been known as a Bible-teaching church that engages the community through service and outreach, and it has committed itself to a single mission statement: "Connecting People to Jesus." Mark Brown serves as lead pastor, supported by an executive pastor, a Nueva Vida pastor for the Spanish-speaking ministry, and a Family Ministries director. Five elders (Bobby Brar, Arnie Balber, Abraham Martinez, Rob Redekopp, and José Navarrete) share in the spiritual oversight of the church. The Bridge belongs to the Evangelical Free Church of America and aligns its belief statement with the EFCA Statement of Faith.

Sundays at The Bridge

Two Sunday services meet on the same Newbury Park campus. The English-language gathering begins at 10:00 a.m., and the Spanish-language service called Nueva Vida follows at 11:45 a.m. Both services are livestreamed through YouTube and Facebook for those who are sick or otherwise unable to attend in person. Services generally run about an hour and fifteen minutes. The teaching is biblically based and relevant, and the music blends classic and contemporary worship songs. Visitors are welcomed by a friendly team and can simply come in their normal casual clothing. Guest parking, family parking, and handicap parking are conveniently located near the main entrance off Rancho Conejo Boulevard.

Bridge Kids programs for children from infants through fifth grade run alongside both services, and children are also welcome to stay with their families in the main auditorium. A student seating area is reserved during the 10:00 a.m. service for older youth. Anyone in the congregation can submit a prayer request online at any point during the week.

Nueva Vida: A Spanish-Speaking Congregation

Carlos Rosales serves as pastor of Nueva Vida, which gathers Sundays at 11:45 a.m. inside the same building and is broadcast live for those at home. The children's program for infants through fifth grade is offered during this service as well, though the children's classrooms themselves are conducted in English. The Spanish ministry keeps its own rhythm of activities. David Tapia leads ManaFest, the food distribution that happens on Wednesdays. Ruben Alvarez coordinates the men's ministry, Brenda Roldan oversees Madres Orando, and Lourdes Tellez leads the women's ministry. An older-adult ministry called Ministerio Vida serves the over-fifty community. Prayer services gather on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday mornings at 6:30 a.m. via Zoom, and family services meet on Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m.

Spanish-language values include five commitments for the Nueva Vida community: Commitment, growing toward maturity in Christ; Fellowship, enjoying and caring for the family of God; Accountability, using the resources God has provided for the kingdom; Community, serving the local community with the love of God; and Care, looking after one another as family. A simple gospel outline drawn from Romans 3:23, Acts 3:19, and Revelation 3:20 is taught, and those who pray to receive Christ are offered help finding a Bible study group and follow-up support.

Bridge Kids and AWANA

Susan Harris directs the Family Ministries team that oversees Bridge Kids. The children's wing runs during both Sunday services and is divided into three sections: an Infant and Toddler room, a 4-Year/TK room, and a Kindergarten through Grade 5 program. Children in the 10:00 a.m. service begin in their classrooms, while elementary kids in that hour first join the adults for worship and then are dismissed to their own program. Preschoolers always start in their own rooms and rotate to a Big Group time for offering, singing, and story. The curriculum is Brite from Awana.

Security is woven into every step. Each family checks in at the Welcome Desk, where two name tags and a security pick-up tag are printed. Children are released only to a parent, and written authorization is required for any other pickup. Every leader has completed a background check, and cameras cover every area except the inside of restrooms. The Bridge Kids team partners with parents as the primary spiritual instructors of their children and welcomes questions, comments, prayer requests, and family news at any time.

Bibles are given to children at meaningful milestones: 3-year-olds receive a Jesus Storybook Bible, kindergarten and first graders receive an Action Bible, and second through fifth graders either purchase a Bible of their choice or are provided one (the church encourages ESV for this age group). The Infant and Toddler room is staffed with caregivers who lead monthly songs and finger plays, and a Nursing Mother's Room is available for feeding privacy. Parents of infants and toddlers bring disposable diapers, prepared bottles, a comfort item, and a change of clothes.

AWANA meets Friday evenings from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. between September and May. Three programs run side by side: Cubbies for ages four and five, Sparks for kindergarten through second grade, and T&T for third through fifth grade. Club time includes large group Bible teaching, small group Scripture memory and discussion, and high-energy game time. An annual registration fee covers the handbook, T-shirt, tote bag, and awards, and assistance is available for any family that needs it. Children wear their club shirts, bring a Bible (ESV preferred, provided if needed), and leave toys and electronics at home. All AWANA leaders are background checked, and cameras monitor the kids' ministry areas.

Bridge Students

Bridge Students gathers middle schoolers on Friday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the youth room. Hangout time runs from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., followed by games, snacks, worship, a Bible message, and small groups until 8:30. High schoolers meet on Sunday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. using the same structure, and both groups have a reserved seating area in the 10:00 a.m. worship service.

The student ministry partners with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to connect with students on local high school campuses through huddles and other gatherings. Baptisms for students are offered throughout the year and especially during summer beach baptisms. Each summer, both middle school and high school groups travel together to camp for a week of worship, study, and recreation, with yearlong fundraisers providing scholarships so that any student who wants to attend can do so. Every adult volunteer has completed a background check and additional training before serving students, whether on campus or at overnight events.

Life Groups and Bible Studies

Life Groups form the connective tissue of the church. These small groups meet weekly or every other week in homes, parks, or any comfortable space, with some groups meeting virtually. They gather to pray, study the Bible together, share life, and reach the surrounding neighborhood. Theresa Brar coordinates the network and helps newcomers find the group that fits best. Each fall the church launches a 5-week Life Group study; recent series include "Spiritual Growth: Learning to Abide in Christ."

The Bridge Women ministry hosts a Monday-evening Bible study, and a Bible Study Fellowship group meets on Thursday mornings from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. to walk through the book of Romans in a 30-week study that includes a kids program for ages zero through five. The online discipleship class, led by Mark Aspinwall, walks members through six sessions on sharing your faith, praying for and with people, and telling God's story in three circles.

Men, Women, and Capstone 55+

Bridge Men meets every Friday morning from 6:00 to 6:45 a.m. in the church main lobby for a season of prayer, and all men are invited. Bridge Women coordinates the Bible studies and the BSF group. Capstone 55+ serves the church's older adults with a monthly Lunch Bunch that gathers at Country Harvest Newbury Park on the second Thursday of each month. Each person is responsible for their own meal, and the gatherings are designed to keep friendships strong and to make new ones across the senior community.

Friendship, Buddy Break, and Make 'm Smile

The Bridge takes seriously its commitment to include every person in the life of the church, and the facility is fully accessible with ample handicap parking. Friendship Class gathers teenagers and adults with cognitive disabilities every other Monday at 6:45 p.m. for worship, teaching, discipleship, and fellowship in a fun, interactive, and welcoming environment.

Buddy Break offers free respite care for families of children with special needs on scheduled Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with trained buddies engaging the children in games, crafts, music, and activities while parents and caregivers rest. Each fall, The Bridge partners with Nathaniel's Hope to host Make 'm Smile, a festival that celebrates kids and adults with disabilities as VIPs: people with Value and Incredible Purpose. Held at the Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, the event fills the day with family entertainment, games, characters, helpful resources, and free admission for VIPs. The Bridge mobilizes a large volunteer Smile Team to set up, run, and clean up the festival.

ManaFest: Food for the Community

ManaFest is a free food pantry that serves Newbury Park residents, with priority given to the disabled, the ill, seniors, families with children, the unemployed, and others in need. Food distributions take place on Wednesday evenings from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the lobby of The Bridge. A simple registration form is all that is required for a client or family to begin receiving help, and volunteers set up, stock, and clean up each distribution. ManaFest also benefits from the Ralphs Community Contribution and Amazon Smile programs, which allow shoppers to direct a percentage of their purchases back to the pantry.

Biblical Counseling, Membership, and Baptism

The Biblical Counseling and Discipleship ministry offers counsel rooted in Scripture, applying God's Word to difficult situations in pursuit of lasting heart change. Counseling appointments are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Anyone interested begins with a personal information inventory and a consent form before meeting with a counselor.

Bridge Membership is a four-step journey: an information form, a series of short videos covering the gospel, the history of the EFCA, the mission and values of The Bridge, and a description of what comes next; a membership lunch with Pastor Mark, several staff and elders, and a time for questions and answers; and an informal elder interview. The process gives newcomers a clear picture of what it means to belong to the church family. Baptisms are available at any time of year for adults and students, with summer beach baptisms as a highlight of the year.

Serving, Giving, and Staying Connected

Serving opportunities at The Bridge are organized into ten teams: First Impressions, Worship and Creative Arts, All-Church Events, Care, Student Ministries, Kids Ministries, Life Groups, Outreach, Office Support, and Facilities. Roles range from greeters and parking attendants to Life Group facilitators, photographers, kitchen cleaners, and global outreach coordinators.

Online giving is available through pushpay, and gifts can also be mailed to the church office or scheduled through a bank's bill pay system. The Bridge publishes a weekly e-newsletter and a separate parent newsletter for Bridge Kids families, and maintains active Facebook and Instagram accounts that keep the congregation informed of upcoming events, sermon series, and resources. Sunday messages are posted for ongoing viewing, and an online discipleship class provides ongoing teaching for those who want to grow in their faith at home.

Beliefs, Values, and Mission

The mission of The Bridge Church is to connect people to Jesus. Seven values shape how the congregation pursues that mission: Biblical Authority, Prayerful Dependence, Joyful Celebration, United Diversity, Cheerful Generosity, Spiritual Growth, and Strategic Mission. The belief statement affirms one God in three persons, the full inspiration and authority of Scripture, the atoning death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, the gathering of believers into local churches, the celebration of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and the personal and bodily return of Christ. The Bridge partners with the EFCA for credentialing and shared mission, and welcomes anyone who wants to learn more about the Christian faith.