When trying to write a "how to" book you run into two problems. The first problem is information overload; the second problem is no real practical information at all. Ruth Jacobsen in her book, Bridges 101: gas pumps, banana bread and other attitudes, has found the balance between the two.   This wonderfully written book provides both ideas and inspiration: ideas on how to build bridges between church members and the community, and inspirational stories that illustrate those ideas.   

As a church planter I am especially excited about the personal bridge-building approach. This book is a refreshing look at the power of person-to-person evangelism. In the same spirit of books like Bill Hybel's, Just Walk Across the Room, this book is an important addition to the current conversation on the direction of Seventh-day Adventist outreach.

While traditional public meeting evangelism has its place, there is little in Adventist writing that takes a personal friendship approach. Bridges 101, helps fill that gap in a bright, easy to read and practical way. From the "Bathroom Party," to the singing, dancing, painter the author surrounds her practical suggestions with attention-keeping stories. That is the joy of this book; the author knows what she is talking about because she has done it.

I also love her reference to author Steve Sjogren's concept of, "low-risk/high-grace," and the way Sjogren describes those who build personal bridges as, "seed-flingers."

Bridges 101 would be ideal for a small group study, church-wide campaign, or simply as a hand-out to members.   

Seventh-day Adventism, by its very nature and practice is out of the mainstream of society and so the bridges that we build to the culture beyond our own must be done with great intention. Bridges 101 provides the ideas and inspiration to help each of us to begin the journey across that bridge.  

Pastor Tim Garrison 
Moorpark Community Seventh-day Adventist Fellowship