Bridge Builders
What do we mean by Bridge Builders?
"Bridge Builders" is simply a term we're using for people who reject politically motivated ecumenicalism, yet strongly desire to see the various pockets of God’s true people communicating with each other, and working together to be a more united and effective body.
Read more about the purpose of this ministry in right hand panel of this page -->
Ambassadors
(Not necessarily directly associated with Christianity.org.nz)
See right hand panel for info on why these people are listed as contacts here -->
 Steve Atkerson | House ChurchesSteve Atkerson is president (and one of the founders) of the New Testament Reformation Fellowship (www.NTRF.org). NTRF advocates orthodox, historic Christianity poured into the wineskin of New Testament church practice (as established by the twelve apostles and found on the pages of Scripture). |
 John Jones | Non-aligned EvangelicalsJohn was anti-Christian until 1993 when, at the age of 23, the Lord moved miraculously to bring him out of an ever deepening darkness and into the very faith he'd so long regarded with scorn. Initially in the Open Brethren movement, then later fellowshipping at Calvary Chapel and a local Baptist church, John has had plenty of time to absorb the essentially "evangelical" view of things and is a prolific Christian blogger. |
 Peter Hoover | Plain FolkPeter Hoover is an author familiar to many Christians of Anabaptist and similar (e.g. Mennonite, Hutterite) heritage worldwide. These days Peter is a member of Rocky Cape Christian Community in Tasmania, Australia. His books have focused on the stories of Christians in recent centuries who have most closely reflected the relationships, values, zeal and impact of Christianity in the New Testament. Peter also writes the "Sunlit Kingdom" letters and corresponds widely. |
 Anthony Hertzler | Communal AnabaptistsAnthony Hertzler lives at Elmendorf Christian Community, an independent congregation in the Hutterite communal tradition in Minnesota, USA. His family, from a conservative Mennonite background, were part of several different Anabaptist congregations during his childhood and youth. He is particularly burdened by the sectarianism that isolates many radical New Testament congregations and movements, hindering the maturity of the church. He seeks to be a catalyst for unity among the various congregations within his acquaintance, and desires further friendship with serious followers of Christ. |
 Tony Rigden | Seventh Day AdventistsSeventh Day Adventism was born out of the second wave of the reformation and unfortunately is ostracized by many Christians as a cult; perhaps largely due to its strong belief in keeping the literal Sabbath day of the ten commandments. Tony was saved and came into a Seventh Day Adventist church in 1979 after a long winding journey seeking God. He is a regular contributor and speaker at his own local assembly and has an in depth self-taught knowledge of SDA doctrine and tradition, as well as an openness to sharing and discussion with all spiritually minded Christians. |
 Scott Clifford | Calvary ChapelScott Clifford is a Calvary Chapel pastor based in Rotorua, New Zealand. In addition to his outreach work amongst the local Maori community Scott is involved with Lakes Ranch Christian camps and in a number of other Christian ministries in NZ. Calvary Chapel’s are known for strong bible based teaching and for having a structure that is much less restrictive than a traditional denomination. |
 Alan Marshall | Truth SeekerAlan Marshall is an evangelical christian living in Tasmania. He works remotely as a software developer, and spends his spare time writing essays addressing issues on which christians still need to find common agreement. In terms of bridge-building, Alan has connections to Baptist, Anglican and Pentecostal groups in North-West Tasmania and Sydney. He has a friendly and fruitful relationship with the "plain folk" of Rocky Cape Christian Community. |
Please feel free to suggest an Ambassador
Why build spiritual bridges?
Most of us have been exposed to the huge ecumenical push of recent decades, and have also seen that this push seems headed towards creating a dumbed down oneness that may eventually include holding hands with the Pope, moderate Islam and the New Age and saying that we “all worship the same God”. So it’s easy for us to react against it and become more isolationist and protective than ever. But, in the end this only results in the true testimony being weakened, while the tares are left to take over. It seems that the wheat, God’s people, need more than ever at this time to build bridges with one another, to learn from one another, to strengthen one another, and to be together a clear New Testament witness to this generation.
Who are the ambassadors in this section?
Each of the “ambassadors” listed in this section of the website have accepted the invitation to represent “their people” (group / denomination / etc), and to be a point of contact for answering questions, helping people find other spiritually sound representatives of “their people” in various locations, and being available to speak in churches or other such meetings of denominational and non-denominational groups. We hope this will provide just one practical means of opening doors between different parts of the body of Christ. Note that these people are not necessarily formal denominational representatives and therefore claim no special endorsement other than their willingness to build bridges and communicate.