Bridges 101; Gas Pumps, Banana Bread and Other Attitudes
The first time I met Ruthie Jacobsen, many years ago, she was bringing food to a family that had just lost a loved one in a tragic accident. I was there to try and bring words of comfort; she went beyond words and showed her love with her gift.  I have watched her build great relationships with senators, members of the president's cabinet and many others, just by baking brownies and stopping by to leave a smile.  I'm so glad she wrote this book. Camille and I have followed the example of Don and Ruthie and it has changed the way we share our faith with our neighbors. You are going to be blessed as you read. James W. Gilley President, 3ABN --LetterIt isn't often that I have read a 'how to' book that keeps my attention and stirs my imagination. Author Ruthie Jacobsen has managed to do both splendidly in a short and provocative paper back, Bridges 101. Have you ever wanted to witness but weren t quite sure how? This book is chock-full of stories of how Ruthie and others have used everyday happenings to connect spiritually with new people. Your horizons of how to share your faith will be expanded as you read about A Bathroom Party to The Singing, Dancing, Painter. I particularly appreciated her application of author Steve Sjogren s concepts of low-risk/high-grace and seedflingers. I m confident you too will find yourself saying, Yes, I could do something like that!  Jerry Chase, Senior pastor, Akron, OH, Seventh-day Adventist Church. --Members' newsletterWhen trying to write a 'how to' book you run into two problems. The first problem is information overload; the second problem is no real practical information at all. Ruthie Jacobsen in her book, Bridges 101: gas pumps, banana bread and other attitudes, has found the balance between the two. This wonderfully written book provides both ideas and inspiration. Ideas on how to build bridges between church members and the community and inspirational stories that illustrate those ideas. As a church planter I am especially excited about the personal bridge building approach. This book is a refreshing look at the power of person to person evangelism. In the same spirit of books like Bill Hybel's Just Walk Across the Room, this book is an important addition to the current conversation on the direction of Christian outreach. From the 'Bathroom Party' to the singing, dancing, painter the author surrounds her practical suggestions with attention-keeping stories. That is the joy of this book; the author knows what she is talking about because she has done it. Bridges 101 would be ideal for a small group study, church-wide campaign, or simply as a handout to members. The Christian church, by its very nature and practice is out of the mainstream of society and so the bridges that we build to the culture beyond our own must be done with great intention. This book provides the ideas and inspiration to help each of us to begin the journey across that bridge. Pastor Tim Garrison Moorpark Community Seventh-day Adventist Fellowship --Vervent eNewsletter