Under bridge church feeds hundreds of homeless

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By Steve Kuzj skuzj@nbcaugusta.com

AUGUSTA, Ga. - As anyone who's ever been down on their luck can tell you, it's always nice to have someone to help lift you back up—that's what one church is doing for hundreds of homeless.

On a crummy, rainy Saturday, under a busy bridge in Augusta, hundreds came together for a worship service. Many walked miles to reach the Calhoun Expressway bridge at 15th Street.

Bridge Ministry is a church for the homeless in Augusta that also feeds and clothes them. It’s put on entirely by volunteers every other Saturday. Worship service is lead by Pastor Roger Gardner.

"A lot of homeless depend on these people coming out here Saturdays,” says homeless church attendee, Bobby Parrot. “If it weren't for them, a lot of the people would do without a lot of things. To them, it's all about helping people who need it."

The ministry started out with just 50 people two years ago, but has ballooned to more than 250.

"They come for the fellowship because they consider this their church, where they may not be accepted in the walls of a regular church," says Pastor Gardner. "So many people look down on the homeless, but we lift them up every time we come here."

The service is so well enjoyed by the poor who attend that they scrape together what little they have to make sure it keeps going. Many say the service means more than just a warm meal, clothes and someone to listen; it's another chance at getting their lives right.

“I don't have a full-time job yet, but if I keep praying among them with me, I believe I'll get one, because I've got hope now,” says homeless church attendee, Cornell Rhodes. “I'm a long way from home, but I've got hope and now this is my home."

With continued support from the community, the Bridge Ministry will remain a source of hope for years to come.

The Bridge Ministry is a branch of the New Hope Worship Center in Grovetown. They say they can always use more donations and volunteers to help provide for their growing number of homeless worshipers.

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The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of NBC Augusta 26 | news, weather, sports, community, entertainment, shopping for Augusta, Georgia. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Monday, Mar 30 at 9:51 PM Sharon Smith wrote ...

Response to Butch Palmer - Pastor Gardner and his wife live in a small house in the downtown area.

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Wednesday, Mar 18 at 4:08 PM Ruth wrote ...

I some of the staff of the New Hope Church of God. The offering they receive at the bridge is not going for the support of that ministry but the people being ministered to are reaching out to help build a church on the mission field. HOW wonderful-- THEY are reaching out to others! I know they, in turn, will be blessed.

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Monday, Mar 16 at 9:55 PM Butch Palmer wrote ...

Pastor Gardner, Where do you live? Why don't you take the "homeless" to you neighbrhood?

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Monday, Mar 16 at 6:57 PM Nancy wrote ...

It is so refreshing to see faith in action! Wonderful job church! May God bless you and your work for many years to come.

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Monday, Mar 16 at 10:17 AM Natasha wrote ...

This is the true meaning of the "church" as God intended; helping those in need and showing them love. Absolutely beautiful!

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Monday, Mar 16 at 8:48 AM Carolinian wrote ...

Shame on us! When is it that one of Gods children is not welcome in his house? We need to listen to the teachings of the Bible... Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's and of the holy angels. Didn't Jesus also say something to the effect: whatsoever you do to the least of these, so do you to me? Wake up America before it is too late for us!

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Sunday, Mar 15 at 9:29 PM Georgian wrote ...

There is more actual religion to be found at the services under the bridge than in all the magnificent cathedrals men have built. God's cathedral is in the hearts of men and His glory is in those who do His work. In these troubled times of the Second Great Depression many more will become homeless and there is no justification for anyone looking down on those in transition. May God bless this ministry and help it thrive as He must help those reached by Under the Bridge.

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Sunday, Mar 15 at 4:44 PM Wayne Newman wrote ...

I think it is a very good thing you are doing at the bridge churh

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