BUILDING BRIDGES

With name change, church hopes to send its message of good will
Repairing broken lives by following God is an important theme at
church when Pastor Albert Suarez preaches. He hopes to bring people to
Christ, to lead them to live God-centered lives, regardless of their
past.

And that is why the church at the corner of Cable Street and Warren
Avenue in Freeport is now called Bridge Builders, International.

Formerly Calvary Tabernacle, the church's new name is meant to send a
good message to people of all walks of life.

"The old name was confusing for some people. We wanted to choose a
name that closely fit what we are doing here," said Suarez. "By
renaming ourselves Bridge Builders, International, we are showing
Freeport that we want to close the communication gap between other
denominations in the community. We are all worshipping the same God,
and we can all work together to make Freeport a better place to live.

"And by adding 'international' to the title, we hope to bring
awareness to others here and abroad that there is a need to build
bridges," adds Suarez.

Although there are other organizations with the name Bridge Builders,
International, this church remains a small, hometown place of worship
with a message of hope and healing.

By providing worship services with lots of energy, people get excited
about the messages of Jesus. Using music, lights and special affects,
the message of Jesus is delivered to the people. Suarez believes that
worship should be a celebration.

"We use many different forms of music to get the message across. Some
of these include rap and R& B. The kids relate to this kind of music
and we are able to incorporate Christian messages with it," he said.

But building bridges also means taking the message outside of the
walls of the church and into the streets. Several times a year the
church has a rally in the streets of Freeport where there are a number
of people who are unchurched. They bring music, food, and the word of
God.

The congregation is also known for going into the rough neighborhoods
in Chicago to spread the good word. During their visits, called "Gang
Invasions," they bring sandwiches, clothes, Bibles and hope. Suarez
believes that to stop the spread of drug use in Freeport, we have to
start by stopping the suppliers from Chicago.

"If we can get just 10 drug dealers from Chicago to change their ways,
we can make a difference in Freeport," said Suarez.

And Suarez knows it can happen.

Having grown up in the Bronx of New York, he was a member of a gang
and a heroin addict who was in prison at one point for his involvement
in a drive-by shooting. He was able to transfer his extreme energy to
Christianity, and wants to help others find the same kind of blessings.

The congregation at Bridge Builders, International, is diverse and
multicultural, with members of Hispanic, African American, Puerto
Rican and European descent.

Among their members are people who have been addicted to drugs or
alcohol, who have been prostitutes or gang members. They also have
members whose lives have been affected by such traumas.

But despite their differences, Suarez said, "Everyone gets along here
very well."

Bridge Builders, International, also does prison ministry, has a
strong children's ministry and a 12-step spiritual ministry for those
suffering from addictions, prostitution, or otherwise broken lives.
They also have a Spanish speaking minister and they have a Spanish
service.

Changing the name to Bridge Builders also signifies a commitment that
the congregation and Suarez have to uniting Christian congregations
within Freeport and around the world. He has all ready received calls
from Haiti and Africa with requests for him to go overseas and teach
pastors there.

"I think the name change is good," said parishioner Tobi Heinrich. "It
helps people realize that there are people that need the good Lord in
more than just our area. Churches also need to work together to help
one another. We are all one in the Lord, and we need to help each
other do the work of the Lord.

If you want to go

Services at Bridge Builders, International, are at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Sunday. Bible studies are at 7 pm. Wednesday. A Spanish service is at
6 p.m. Saturday. The church is located at 623 N. Warren Ave.