UNSCRIPTED: Bridge Of Grace Ministries Slowly Changing The “Way We Look” At S.E. Fort WayneU

Unscripted By Keith Edmonds
FWIS Contributing Writer

“At Bridge of Grace Ministries our desire is to break the cycle of poverty by building thriving and sustainable neighborhoods in Southeast Fort Wayne and empowering people to build on their God-given strengths and live life with purpose.”

~Vision & Purpose of Bridge of Grace Ministries

POVERTY: The dictionary defines it as: “The state of being poor.” Poverty can show up in various forms, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually all playing a part. As a community, southeast Fort Wayne is an area that is striving to come out of the stigma that is attached to it. One being an area that lacks initiative and resources to prosper. We are truly fortunate that our city has people and organizations that are looking at what we need to become a more thriving, prosperous community, that not only addresses, but meets the needs of those who may at times be a “forgotten entity” in our city. Pastor Javier Mondragon is one of many people working to make Southeast Fort Wayne not only a better place to live, but a community that thrives! I was excited that he agreed to be a part of my column UNSCRIPTED today, and I feel confident that you’ll feel the passion that he has for his work and the mission that he was “called” to do in Fort Wayne. As you read you will grow in your understanding of some of the exciting occurrences that are happening on the southeast side of town under his leadership! Please welcome Javier Mondragon, CEO of Bridge of Grace Ministries and Pastor of Many Nations Church!

UNSCRIPTED: So, share with our readers what the vision was behind the creation of Bridge of Grace Ministries?

PASTOR: “The neighborhood where I grew up in the city of (Cuernavaca) in Mexico was overwhelmed with crime, fear, drugs, and hopelessness. Unpaved streets, trash

and graffiti everywhere, and the living conditions left so much to be desired that a better way of life was something that was only a dream for many of us. It was that

tough environment that made me determined to escape and find a better way of life. I

was introduced to God and felt a “sense of purpose” in my life. After attending seminary school, Fort Wayne was where God led my wife and I to start our ministry

specifically, Fort Wayne’s southeast side.”

UNSCRIPTED: Pastor, define what the word “Ministry” means to you...

PASTOR: “God placing a burden or desire on our hearts to serve in a particular way.

Ministry for me is the call that God has placed on our lives to share our gifts and talents towards those who can benefit from them the most.”

UNSCRIPTED: How has the city of Fort Wayne embraced you and your vision?

PASTOR: “It was extremely hard at first to build trust in our vision and mission for the SE side, particularly where we live because it was an area that had a high rental rate and high crime rate, not much stability in the area. My wife, I, and a small congregation (at the time) knocked on over 500 doors when we came into this neighborhood trying to introduce ourselves and show that we cared. Another valuable piece was that we didn’t commute into the southeast community daily we moved in there which showed our commitment to the residents of that community as well. I have to say that there were times when it was difficult to stay with the vision that my wife (Annette) and I shared coming in, as crime was still occurring at a high rate, shootings, and drug houses in our area. I grew up in a dangerous place, but my wife did not. I’m so fortunate that she believed in the purpose of this work we started in Fort Wayne.

Our entire family is committed to this work, and the SE side of Fort Wayne.”

UNSCRIPTED: Poverty is a HUGE problem that you’re trying to address through your ministry. Share with us how you try to address this huge concern on Fort Wayne’s SE side...

PASTOR: “Growing up in poverty, I understand the complexity of poverty. Programs and handouts do not solve poverty, but they can create dependency. Through a holistic

approach, Bridge of Grace builds on the assets in our community including the people.

We are facilitators offering an invitation to our neighbors to be part of the solution for sustainable change and lasting results. We believe that everyone is created in the image of God with unique strengths and talents. We refuse to see our neighbors as simply our clients or people without anything to offer in return. Instead, we pray God works through Bridge of Grace to affirm the people in our community. Our role is to help our neighbors realize their value and their power. We are breaking the cycle of poverty by developing the Southeast part of Fort Wayne one family at a time, one neighborhood at a time. Bridge of Grace aims to help provide HOPE to southeast Fort Wayne residents through Housing, Opportunity, Progress, and Education.

Housing: To stabilize neighborhoods we purchase and renovate dilapidated homes, build new homes, and offer financial empowerment training with the purpose of increasing homeownership. Opportunity: By developing economic development opportunities, we have created a social enterprise called MVP Landscaping and currently offer 12-15 jobs a year, our goal is to create more employment and training opportunities for southeast Fort Wayne.

Progress: We collaborate with other

organizations to improve the quality of life in our community. Quality healthcare is now within walking distance in the neighborhood thanks to Alliance Health Centers

and with the assistance of the Fort Wayne Parks department, Brewer Park is under construction with completion slated for 2025. Education: We believe that Education is key to break the cycle of poverty. In 2024 we opened the Early Years Academy, a childcare center serving children 6 weeks through Pre-K. We support the whole family with affordable and high-quality care along with after-school programs and summer camps for children in elementary and middle school.”

UNSCRIPTED: To bring this piece to a close... Would you say that you’re ahead, behind, or right on track to where you thought you’d be after 18 years (13 years with Bride of Grace) in revitalizing Fort Wayne’s Southeast side?

PASTOR: “Great question! In many ways, I would say we are ahead of where I thought we’d be. When my family and I moved into the neighborhood 18 years ago, we came with a deep sense of calling but only a general vision for what might unfold. Thirteen years ago, when Bridge of Grace was founded, we couldn’t have imagined the depth of transformation and impact that would take place—both in the neighborhood and in ourselves. While we still have a long way to go. I am humbled by the progress from reducing crime, increasing homeownership, and the economic investment to build a stronger community. I love the partnerships we have developed over the years, and I’m humbled by the trust that community leaders have in what we are doing. Our staff has a deep sense of calling and love for what they do, and what I love the most is seeing local leaders rise up from within. Gods’ faithfulness, combined with the resilience of this community, has propelled us beyond what we initially envisioned.”