Forty-five miles west of Philadelphia lies the city of Coatesville, a community of approximately 12,000 nestled in the heart of Chester County, where 22 percent of the residence live below the poverty line. The Bridge Academy, along with many other initiatives, are working to see this community transformed by the power of the gospel. With the establishment of the Bridge Academy and Community Center in 2002, that vision has started to become a reality.
The idea for the Bridge Academy was planted in 2001 while Steve and Stefanie Wilson were attending a suburban church approximately twenty minutes from Coatesville. “God increasingly began to impress on us, through His word and Spirit, His heartbeat for the poor and oppressed. Whether it was providing food for thousands, healing the sick or washing feet, time and time again Jesus’ pattern of ministry was to meet the needs of individuals—especially the poor—as well as the spiritual needs,” says Steve. “Our desire, likewise, increasingly became to serve our community through the needs of education, arts and compassion projects while simultaneously helping individuals see their spiritual need for Christ.”
The BACC has begun programs in each of these three areas—education, creative arts and compassion projects—that have primarily worked with low-income youth and adults. The homework tutorial has been one of the most successful programs, with about 70 children involved. It meets three nights a week and is staffed by volunteers. The Bridge Academy has had 25 children attend its summer literacy camp, which uses the Bible as a major part of its curriculum. Children can also take a variety of arts classes at the Bridge Academy: music (piano and drums), creative writing, dance (hip-hop and ballet), and a variety of visual arts, including ceramics, printmaking, mural painting, drawing and graphic design. All of the programs include time for bible study and discussion, and the BACC also offers youth and adult bible studies for the community. As for the broader community, the BACC hosts annually a fall festival, back-to-school book bag drive and a Christmas store for youth and adults.