Student, Mentor, Leader

Photo by Billie Throm

Article by Reese Borchert

NEWBERG, Ore. - The Bridge Network is a special opportunity for students attending George Fox University (GFU) to grow as Christian leaders. One of the main reasons young adults choose to continue their education at GFU is to be surrounded by believers and the promise of being known. Another reason is athletics.

The GFU Athletic Department seeks to live out its mission statement: “To Provide a Competitive Experience That Breeds Athletic Excellence, Academic Success and Christ-Like Character.” Adam Puckett, the director of Athletics, realized the last phrase lacked attention.

“How do you get intentional about owning the faith formation with your student athletes?” Puckett asked. The department saw measurable success in the classroom and competition, but to keep faith a priority, the athletes needed more spiritual support.

The Bridge Network was born in 2017 as a solution. Athletics received a “Jesus in Sports” grant with the goal of integrating faith into the lives of the athletes.

Puckett recounted the following years, during which he sought funds to keep the network running and relied on God’s faithfulness to provide the donations. Now, the program has two major donors who each agreed to give $50,000 over the next three years.

The Bridge Network is structured as a mentorship program where underclassmen are paired with an upperclassman mentor. This upperclassman is also paired with someone outside of GFU to help them with their career and life pursuits.

Redeem Team, a group of sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the network, pair mentees and mentors after reviewing applications, and they also plan fun events throughout the year. 

Last year, Bo Carlson led the Redeem Team; Carlson passed leadership responsibilities on to Taylor Bramel this year. As underclassmen, these men participated in athletics for GFU, but discontinued involvement as they progressed toward their degree.

Other leadership positions in the network come from the network houses located on the south side of campus. Walking down Carlton Way, one might notice houses like Weesner, Fell, and Riley have their front doors open, with laughter leaking out the windows.

Mason McBride is a senior on the football team and has spent his entire GFU career connected to Bridge Network, living in its housing since freshman year. “It’s been cool to see it evolve, where God has taken it and blessed it,” says McBride.

Sam Astor, a resident of Weesner and a football player, credits the network’s ability to connect with a wide range of students for its magnitude and success. Compared to other campus groups, Bridge stretches across majors, ages, and even includes non-athletes.

“It was so clear that this was something I was supposed to be a part of,” says Maddie Stewart, a sophomore in the program.

“I wanted to grow spiritually with a group of guys to bond with, and grow my relationship with the Lord,” says Sam Poukish, a junior.

Stewart and Poukish are not GFU athletes, but were able to get plugged in. Stewart recalls various encounters that seemed like a calling towards the Bridge community.

Astor also says that the leadership is a powerful driving force, and the head of this organization would be Craig Inglesby. “Craig is the visionary,” says Eva Halvorsen, a sophomore theology major and member of the Redeem Team.

GFU titles him director of the Bridge Network, while his LinkedIn states Associate Athletic Director of Faith Formation. Halvorsen explains how Inglesby effectively facilitates growth in his mentees by encouraging them out of their comfort zone.

He helps individuals recognize and identify their strengths, then “throws you into the deep end.” Undergraduate leaders receive guidance and support from Inglesby, but a majority of the initiative is carried out by students.

Upperclassmen are excited for this upcoming year, awaiting the Redeem Team’s matchups. “They want to have a mentee they can pour into and do life with,” says McBride. 

Because of this enthusiasm, The Bridge Network will thrive into the foreseeable future and provide a place for students who believe they would benefit from the structure it provides.