About Bridge Ministries

The Future Paradigm is a free online resource for parents, teachers, youth ministers and anyone who works or lives with teens. Futureparadigm.org is a service of Bridge Ministries, Inc. in Joplin, MO.

The Bridge opened its doors on September 8, 1999. The Bridge was launched out of concern for today’s teenagers, who are very often transitioning through the most turmoil-filled years of their lives. It is well known that, during adolescence, positive adult mentors are the keys to helping students avoid drug and alcohol abuse, pre-marital sex, violent behavior, suicide and other destructive behaviors. Unfortunately, modern teens often make this transition apart from the influence of caring adults and the Christian community. The Bridge offers a solution by creating an attractive place where teens choose to spend their free time connecting with healthy adult mentors through activities they enjoy. By fostering vital relationships between disconnected adolescents and Christian mentors we are able fill the gaps and meet the social, physical and spiritual needs of teens.

The Bridge’s music venue, skate park, gaming center, rock climbing gym and cafe’ create a safe place for youth to hang out and interact with friends and caring Christian adults. As youth are attracted, healthy relationships are formed with other peers and with our trained staff. Through these relationships The Bridge is able to connect youth to vibrant Christian communities and, as needs arise, connect them to community resources such as counseling, rehabilitation, shelters and other crisis services.