Mere hours before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed for his followers in the Upper Room, that they would be one. He was praying for our unity, inviting us to enjoy the same unity that God the Father, Son and Spirit experience from all eternity. This is why Jesus lived, died and rose for us, that we would become one with God, others, ourselves and all of creation. It is astounding that so soon before the inscrutable agony of his suffering, Jesus had his followers on his mind and heart.

In his prayer, Jesus prayed not only for the disciples present that night, but “also for those who will believe in me.” He was praying for his followers in every age and place, including us. He desired our love for one another to be so deep and transformative, that the world would take notice. How is that people who are not bounded together by nationality or ethnicity, would have such self-sacrificing love for one another? There is no natural explanation for that, thus leading “the world to believe you have sent me.” The inexplicable unity of Christ’s followers authenticates the good news of Jesus’ redemptive work.

It was out of that spirit that a group of Arlington pastors began to meet weekly for prayer and fellowship. As Steve King, lead pastor of Cherrydale Baptist Church put it, “we don’t compete but complete one another.” The pastors greatly benefited by their relationships, knowing their fellow pastors were there to encourage and support them, and point one another to Jesus. A highlight in those early years was gathering a cross section of local churches to worship together on Good Friday—the day that made such unity possible.

In 2008, one of the pastors wondered how such fellowship could be extended to their churches. In response, a church launched a service project to beautify the grounds of a church with few resources.

Projects like this led to other ministries—and other questions: Were there meaningful ways churches could serve together, not only for fellowship but also for greater fruitfulness? Could collaboration “add value” to their mercy and outreach efforts, enabling them to accomplish more together than any one church could on their own? And how could we service not simply be “another event” requiring resources, but done in such a way that local congregations flourished?

Specifically, how could their outreach efforts connect people to a local church, rather than merely being a joint outreach event with little or no connection to a congregation? In response, one initiative coordinated and promoted several Christianity Explored courses, hosted by local churches. 

How could their mercy initiatives avoid duplication of effort or oversight of a critical need? In response, the churches decided to partner on behalf of vulnerable neighbors where the needs were greater than any one church could meet. Not only would such collaboration lead to more fruitful ministry, the partnerships would build bridges between churches and become a positive witness of the power of the gospel.

Over the years, examples of cooperative service have included a food pantry for impoverished neighbors, English conversation courses for immigrants struggling with the majority language, an annual backpack drive to help poorer children start the school year on a strong foot, delivering thousands of meals to families during the Covid pandemic, and rent assistance for those facing eviction.

In all these ways and more, the churches of Arlington Bridge Builders are seeing Jesus’ prayers for his people come to fruition, that we may enjoy the love and unity that comes from abiding in Christ.