The Story I’ll Tell, Part 3
The Bridgewood Church Story: A Journey of Faith and Vision
The story of Bridgewood Church began nearly four decades ago on the campus of Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. After a Friday night service, God spoke clearly to Pastor Curt, calling him not to go to a church, but to plant one. Though the vision was given early, it took years to unfold. Pastor Curt spent the next eight and a half years in student ministry, carrying the calling in his heart and sharing it with trusted leaders who would later become part of the Bridgewood story.
In 2001, God made it clear that the time had come. Through the Assemblies of God, an opportunity emerged in Clarkston, Michigan: a struggling church with five people, less than $5,000 in the bank, and a rundown 5,000-square-foot building. Despite the challenges, this became the starting point. The original five members voted Pastor Curt in and then walked away, leaving behind a building in disrepair and a step of faith. Trusting God, the resources that had been given for salary were instead used to renovate the building. In August 2002, Bridgewood Church opened its doors, welcoming 100 people on the first Sunday.
Shortly after, God again intervened in unexpected ways. A developer offered to purchase the property for $500,000, far more than its value, and allowed the church to remain rent-free for two years. At the same time, God provided a prime piece of land nearby for a future church campus at a discounted price through a simple handshake agreement. With fewer than 75 people, the vision seemed impossible, but three businessmen stepped forward and loaned the church $3 million, enabling construction to begin.
The Clarkston campus opened in August 2005, and God continued to grow the church. Through economic uncertainty in 2008, Bridgewood chose wisdom and patience, trusting God’s timing. In the following years, God led the church toward a multi-site vision. In Goodrich, a fully paid-off church property was miraculously provided, and after renovations, the campus opened in March 2020 with 600 people attending the first service, just days before COVID shut down churches nationwide. God sustained and grew the campus through that season.
God’s provision continued with the gift of another building in Goodrich to serve young adults, life groups, and additional ministries. Fully renovated and paid in cash, it now supports the growing needs of the church.
Today, Bridgewood stands on the brink of another chapter: a 30,000-square-foot expansion at the Clarkston campus. Once again, God asks the same question He has asked from the beginning: “Do you trust Me?” As the story continues, everyone who calls Bridgewood home is now part of what God is writing next—a testimony of faith, obedience, and God’s faithful provision through every season.
