Information regarding the day-to-day program...

Housing: The housing for our groups has always been the most difficult detail to pull together for each week. Depending on the total number of participants that week we have lodging available in either a local church, a local apartment, or here in our building. If numbers are large enough we may end up splitting up between those options. The sleeping situation is everyone's favorite, carpeted floor, so we do recommend sleeping bags and, if you have it, air mattresses. Showers will be available at all locations. The sooner we can have confirmed details like total number of students and the girl to guy ratio the sooner we can firm up housing options.

What you'll be doing: Each day during your week-long stay is programmed out and packed. We will generally start our days at 7:30 and end at 10:00. All your meals are included in the program fee, but here's the catch. We provide the groceries, the menu, and the recipes. You do the cooking. During your stay you will be responsible for all the cooking and clean up.
This is not your typical missions trip. Each day will provide time for service projects through the ministry and in the neighborhood, but the meat of week will be in the lessons. You will learn urban ministry through a morning and evening Bible lesson and a ministry visit to another urban ministry in Chicago. You will visit a different site each day. On top of the ministry sites you will visit we will also give you the opportunity to practice some of the principles you have been learning through out the week. You will share time with our homeless neighbors, see the city and share your faith with those on Chicago's CTA, and volunteer at local food pantries.

The goal: The end goal of Bridge Builders is to start the conversation of cross-racial, economical, ethnic life. We believe it is inherent in the Gospel and therefore the job of the Church to be advocates and doers of these bridge building principals.