To whomever may be looking for a new church to attend in the San Gabriel Valley.. I can honestly…read moresay Bridges is a very welcoming place and I am so glad that I was invited to come here. How we found it? I was getting to know our son's Little League coach Michael Gregory, and he shared with me that he's actually a Pastor at a nearby church! It was perfect timing, because we were just looking for a new church to attend closer to home. Every since we started attending, my son and I have made really close friends, a few of whom I now work out with 2-3x a week, which has been a total game-changer for me. My son has had plenty of play-dates with a few of the kids there, which has also been huge. It's hard to make close friendships through school these days (it seems) since we just drop off and pick up and there aren't a ton of "hang-out" opportunities for parents of school kids at public school.. but at Bridges, we've made really close friendships from the bonds we've made hanging out in the church parking lot after church every Sunday. There are also a few really good community groups to join. We've done movie nights, ping pong, and there's even a beach day coming up. Every last Sunday of the month, we meet at the park nearby for a picnic lunch, and this is also a great opportunity for folks to get to know each other. The music (worship) is really good at this church. They play some current songs by Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, and Elevation Worship, along with more old school songs I'm beginning to learn, and even some real old ones like Amazing Grace which I finally learned the real meaning of, and how and where it was written. Amazing story, look it up! Anyways, I love this church. It's small(er) than most churches I think? Which, to me, is a good thing.. not too overwhelming at all, pretty easy to get to know a few people right off the bat. Everyone is really nice, warm, welcoming, and pretty open-minded. I've taken my mother (who doesn't attend church) a couple times, and even she seemed to like it. She certainly liked the people, and had some enjoyable conversations after church while we enjoyed some watermelon, snacks and cold brew coffee that was being served. There are a lot of parents here with small children, ranging from newborns to around age 10 or so. Not saying this is a make or break, but if you happen to be a parent with little one(s), you're definitely in good company! The sermons are good. I appreciate how they preach.. it's the type that sorta gets you thinking, and allows you to do your own thinking throughout the week. Some sermons at other churches try and knock you off your socks emotionally, but then that's sort of it. These are well-prepared and thought-provoking. They also do a good job of asking the kids a question at the beginning of each sermon, which as a dad I love, because it engages my son. They offer Sunday School (Bible Class) from 9-9:55am for kids in 2nd - 6th grade. Sometimes I help out in class.. a lot of folks who attend end up serving in one way or another, either on welcome team, or A/V, or even worship (music) team.. for me, it's been a great way to get to know people even better. After kids bible class is over, we had back into the main sanctuary for church at 10, which begins with worship (music). Growing up in an Armenian Apostolic church, this sorta newer style of music with guitars and cajon or drums and bass guitar was a little new to me, but by now it's second nature. I really have grown to love the music, so much so that I've taken to listening to Christian music at home whether I'm working or running, not all the time, but just about as much as any other type of music I listen to. There's so much good Christian music out there now.. even Christian rap music.. it's certainly come a long way! Well, I can thank Bridges for helping to open my eyes (and ears) to more Christian music. If you're still reading this, all I can say is.. why not give it a try.. Bridges that is. I invite you to join me any Sunday, and I look forward to meeting you!