Over the past year, I kept feeling this recurring thought tugging at my heart - that our young adults need a safe and welcoming place to gather, connect, and build friendships with others who share their faith. After high school, the opportunities to find community can be few and far between. It’s a difficult thing for just one church to organize, and it can be hard to get enough participation to make it feel lively and fun.
One morning in April, while driving to work, the idea came to mind yet again - and this time, it felt different. I remember thinking, if only there were a neutral place that wasn’t located at one church, I think more young adults would come. Then it was as if God shined a spotlight on “The Garden,” a welcoming gathering space (owned by Holy Cross) just down the street from Concordia Lutheran High School.
I reached out to Pastor Chad VanMeter at Holy Cross, who immediately suggested involving Brian Loesel, a CLHS science teacher with a passion for young adult ministry. Together with a few other young adults, we met - and Bridge 20/30 was born.
The mission of Bridge 20/30 is simple:
We’re a community based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, created for people in their 20s and 30s who are looking to build genuine friendships and grow in faith.
We know this season of life can feel overwhelming - juggling work, school, and other commitments - and it’s not always easy to find time or space to connect. That’s where we come in. Our goal is to provide social and devotional events where people in their 20s and 30s - whether single, dating, or married - can find encouragement, belonging, and purpose.
What’s been especially amazing is who God has brought together. The group includes young adults from various churches across the area, as well as others who heard about us from friends or on social media. Some have recently graduated and are looking to make friends after their close circle moved away. Every week, new faces appear, and each one adds something special to the mix.
We launched in June, and God has truly blessed this ministry. Each week, anywhere from 25 to 50 people gather to study, serve, and socialize. We’ve hosted a variety of events - from Bunco Bash, Pickleball Open Play, Trivia Night, and Sand Volleyball, to Line Dancing Lessons at the Fort Wayne Ballroom Company and meetups at Country Heritage Winery Singo, Hop River Brewing Company, and The Club Room.
We always include a Devotion Anchor Night and a Porch Night Series led by Brian Loesel, followed by cards and games. It’s amazing how the groups change from week to week - and yet, each night, you can see how God is working through this community, drawing people together and strengthening their faith in unexpected ways.
We meet every Tuesday at 7 p.m., either at The Garden or another local meetup location. Each week looks a little different - sometimes it’s a study or devotion night, other times a casual hangout or game night - but the goal is always the same: faith, fellowship, and friendship.
Here’s what’s coming up this October:
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Oct 7 – Devotion Anchor Night: “Pursuing God Daily” with Brian Loesel, followed by cards & games. 7 p.m. at The Garden (3308 N. Anthony Blvd).
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Oct 14 – Meetup: Fall night at Kekionga Craft Company—hang out inside or on their patio and enjoy seasonal hard ciders! 7 p.m. (7328 Maysville Road).
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Oct 21 – Porch Night: Vanity: A Study of Ecclesiastes. 7 p.m. at Holy Cross Youth Center (3420 N. Anthony Blvd).
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Oct 28 – Costume Party & Pumpkin Carving: Come in costume and bring a pumpkin to carve! 7 p.m. at The Garden.
No matter where you are in life or how often you’re able to join us, you are always welcome here. Please share the word with anyone you know in this age group that could benefit from our group.
For more information, find us on
Facebook: Bridge 20/30 Group Ft. Wayne
Instagram: thebridge2030
or contact us at [email protected]
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
— Psalm 133:1