New church to open in Dowagiac

When Bobby Jackson was 18 years old, an accidental visit to a church hayride ended up turning him away from his troubled past, setting him down the path of preaching.

More than 40 years later, the pastor is helping to guide another rebirth, here in Dowagiac.

Jackson, a worship leader with the Blue Roof Church in St. Joseph, is leading efforts to open a new place of worship in Dowagiac, known as The Bridge. For the past several months, him and his team have been restoring the former chapel of the Harvest Assembly of God, located at the corner of Prairie Ronde and Fairview near the high school.

“It’s been a great adventure so far,” Jackson said. “As a builder, I love seeing the transformation process, of seeing an old space be turned into something completely new.”

On Saturday, he and his crew worked on installing new sound equipment inside the chapel, which has seating for around 120 people. In addition, they have lowered the stage near the front of the building, and have been working to restore the church’s offices and children’s ministry area.

The church is an extension of the St. Joseph church, a member of the First Assembly of God. It’s one of several branches being established in the Michiana area, Jackson said.

The name “The Bridge” carries the message that the new ministry is attempting to spread throughout the area, of closing the gap between families across the community and faith. The diversity inside the Dowagiac community makes it an ideal place for an idea like this to prosper, said Cindy Bennett, the leader of church’s women ministry and an employee with Dowagiac Union Schools.

“I see a lot of families first hand through my work,” Bennett said. “I know a lot of them are in trouble, and they are hurting. They need a light to help guide them.”

When it opens next month, the church will offer contemporary worship services, with live music, scripture readings and sermons. Members will also offer Sunday School for children, and will have a 24-hour prayer room that members can use at anytime.

However, the clergy is looking to reach outside the pulpit as well and is  seeking opportunities for outreach, whether it be providing food to the less fortunate or helping members find employment, the pastor said.

“We want the community to know we are in it to win it,” Jackson said. “We’re here to be a helping hand, to lift them when they’re in need.”

The Bridge will host its dedication service at 3 p.m. on Dec. 7. It will hold its first church service at 5 p.m. on Dec. 14.