THE BRIDGE CHURCH STORY
Pastor Marty felt called by God to plant a church that would make a difference. A church that his friends who had given up on the church would love to attend. The vision for The Bridge was born from this calling and launched in September 2007. We were planted from our parent church, Third Church in Pella, Iowa, located about 45 minutes away. The church began with a core team of 25 people and has experienced steady growth over the years. What started with just a couple of staff members has grown to a team of 22 full-time staff and 5 part-time staff.
During our first 10 years, we focused primarily on reaching the Ottumwa community. As the church grew, we added services until we were offering three services each Sunday. In 2015, we purchased a building in downtown Ottumwa and began renovations. Completed in the fall of 2018, the facility (known as The Hub) is used for ministry on a daily basis. From Sunday services to a coffee shop, small groups to midweek student gatherings, it has truly become an environment that stewards what God is doing in our region.
As we entered our second decade of ministry, we began sensing a call to expand into nearby communities. Many people were already driving 30-45 minutes to attend services in Ottumwa. In 2019, we launched our second campus in Centerville, Iowa, about 45 minutes southwest of Ottumwa. The campus has experienced steady growth through multiple location changes and now averages over 400 people each week.
In 2020, we were preparing to launch our third campus in Fairfield, Iowa, when the COVID-19 pandemic delayed those plans by a year. We officially launched on Easter Sunday in 2021, meeting in the Fairfield Middle School, approximately 30 minutes from Ottumwa. Since then, the campus has continued to grow and now averages over 300 people each week.
In 2023, we launched another campus in Oskaloosa, Iowa, about 30 minutes from Ottumwa. We were excited to serve this community, as people have been driving from Oskaloosa to attend The Bridge since our earliest days. This campus has continued to grow and averages over 300 people each week.
Throughout the years, we have been privileged to serve and bless our communities in a variety of ways. One of our favorite outreach events each year is The Christmas Store. Through this event, families pay five dollars per child to shop for Christmas gifts. Each child receives socks, underwear, a pillow, a toy, and a book. We also provide gift wrapping while caring for their children during the shopping experience. In 2025, more than 1,000 children were served through The Christmas Store.
In addition to this event, we organize serve projects at least every other month, including a large, church-wide Serve Day across all campuses each July. We also operate a Free Clinic that provides healthcare services each week through the generosity of volunteer doctors and nurses.
We are positioned for continued growth as our campuses expand and new opportunities emerge. With plans to launch additional campuses in the future, we remain excited about how God continues to use The Bridge Church to Rebuild, Repair, and Restore.
THE BRIDGE CHURCH
VISION & MISSION
VISION: Rebuild, Repair, Restore. We believe that God has called our church to be a change agent in our region. Our vision is straight from this verse in Ezra- to be people that come together to rebuild, repair, and restore our region. We love how God has called us into rebuilding personal lives, repairing relationships, and restoring the kingdom of heaven here on earth.
MISSION: Believe, Belong, Become.
CORE VALUES
- We worship with passion: it’s about putting God first
- We walk in bold faith: it’s about taking next steps
- We raise up the next generation: it’s about legacy
- We serve with joy: it’s about right priorities
- We give generously: it’s about a soft heart
- We win together: it’s about authentic relationships
JOB SUMMARY
The Bridge Church is seeking a talented Graphic Designer to join its creative team. This individual will be responsible for conceptualizing and producing high-quality visual assets across all church ministries while ensuring brand consistency and visual excellence. The ideal candidate will be highly creative, organized, and efficient, with the ability to translate complex ministry needs into compelling design work. The Bridge Church is looking for a collaborative partner who maintains a flexible, can-do attitude, adapts well to evolving project directions, and consistently delivers impactful designs that advance the mission of the church.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
- Experience with digital media, print production, and environmental design.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to understand and translate ministry leaders’ visions into effective visual concepts.
- A portfolio that demonstrates versatility across a range of aesthetic styles and project types.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- A college degree is not required; relevant professional experience may be considered more valuable than formal education.
- At least 2 years of experience in a design-related role preferred, whether in a church, agency, business, or marketplace setting.
- Experience may include graphic design, video production, print production, social media, or a combination of these areas.
- Previous experience working collaboratively as part of a creative or ministry team is preferred.
- Experience with church branding, including sermon series, social media graphics, event packages, or related ministry design work, is highly beneficial.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Graphic Design: Develop consistent visual branding for weekly services, seasonal events, and ministry campaigns.
Print Production: Design and prepare files for high-quality print production, ensuring all church materials are professional and visually cohesive.
Digital Engagement: Collaborate with the communications team to create engaging visual assets for social media and email newsletters.
Brand Stewardship: Maintain and evolve the church’s visual identity across all platforms, ensuring a professional and welcoming aesthetic.
Project Management: Manage multiple design projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines for weekend services, ministry initiatives, and special events.
Collaboration: Work closely with pastoral and ministry staff to understand their communication needs and provide creative solutions that effectively convey their messages to the church body.
OTTUMWA, IOWA
Located in Southeast Iowa, Ottumwa offers a welcoming and affordable place to live, serve, and raise a family. The community is known for its friendly people, unique opportunities, and significantly lower cost of living, with a wide range of housing options available at a fraction of the cost found in many larger cities.
Ottumwa provides a comfortable balance between the charm of rural Iowa and the conveniences of a semi-urban community. Its diverse population brings together multiple cultures, languages, and cuisines, creating a vibrant environment with meaningful opportunities for connection and growth.
Above all, God is moving throughout Southeast Iowa. Ottumwa offers the opportunity to become part of a vibrant and growing church family while making a lasting impact in a region filled with possibility.