In the past when couples were lonely and hurting in their marriage, they kept silent or eventually gave up on their marriage. There were few places to go that would embrace their needs in love and with encouragement to facilitate healing.
Seeds of a ministry were planted in 1981 when Don and Becky Smith were approached by a couple in the throes of divorce. Although the couple’s divorce proceeded to a legal termination, Don and Becky continued to work with each of the partners. Their untiring efforts continued for months and led to a deep compassion and understanding of the couple’s hurts and root problems. God worked deeply in the couple’s lives to build what had never been experienced...a commitment to love and be loved, even in difficult moments. Eventually the couple remarried and unified their three children in a healthy environment. A new pattern of life and love was established in their home.
From these beginnings of seeing lives and marriages changed, Bridge To Life Ministries was born in 1983. It has become a ministry that exists for the purpose of bringing people to the person of Jesus Christ through the felt needs of marriage relationships. The ministry has two fundamental components: course work addressing specific marital needs and a full-time Biblically-based, Christian marriage counseling practice in Muskegon.
Over the years the ministry has clearly identified the needs of marriages, resulting in three courses. The flagship course is the twelve sessions “R&R, Rebuild & Restore” course offering intensive help for struggling and hurting marriages. This course is available in Muskegon, Holland, Ludington and Grand Rapids. . Materials are also available by video series that are in use by more than 75 churches across the U.S. Healthier marriages that seek to build depth and intimacy in their relationship are a perfect match for the six session “Heart and Soul of a Great Marriage” series. The final course is Master’s Craftsmen, a twelve session course designed for men who want to build character and influence their families.
Bridge To Life is much more than a counseling center. We have found that couples who take the R&R, Restore series along with counseling do much better long term, than couples who just get some counseling. We view our approach as more holistic, offering classes, counseling and personal encouragement to restore marriages.
Bridge To Life has come to be recognized as the place to go to save ones marriage in the West Michigan Area. Pastors of all denominations use BTL as a trusted resource for advice and referrals. |
