• 941-923-1592
  • scm@churchofhope.com
  • Sarasota, FL, USA
Want Us To Contact You? FILL THIS OUT!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name

You are a disciple of Jesus Christ.
And there is so much more for you.

Become A Disciple. Make Disciples. Change The World.

Direct Access to Ministry Opportunities

Get hands on experience in outreach missions, events, and whatever you want to learn and use your gifts for God's kindgom!

Comprehensive Education Experience

Get a high quality education on ministry, theology, The Bible, apologetics, and more. You can even walk away with your degree!

Discipleship
Through Mentorship

Get plugged in to a spirit-filled church staff and congregation that will help you go further with Jesus than you ever thought you could!

Fulfill Your Destiny

Why Join Our College?

You know God has more for you. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be reading this right now. We know God has more for you, too. That’s why we exist.


This college is designed to train and equip Christian leaders through grounded Biblical teaching, seasoned discipleship & mentorship, and hands-on ministry. As students go through our college, they will either be working towards being ordained as a minister or getting a fully accredited degree. 


You will learn:

  • How to properly interpret and understand God’s Word

  • Christian Ethics

  • Essential Church History

  • How to share Jesus with family, friends, co-workers, and strangers

  • All about The Life of Christ and what that means as a disciple

  •  How to craft & preach a sermon

  • How to share your testimony

  • How to defend your faith when others attack it

  • To become the leader God has called you to be

  • To manage your money and resources

  • About who God has made you to be

  • Different ministries inside & outside the church

  • And More.

  •  

Our hope is that you will:

Become A Disciple. Make Disciples. Change The World.

What Others Are Saying

"One of the first things I learned here was growing is hard and uncomfortable. But I stuck it through, and I couldn't be more glad that I trusted God."
Anthony Parker
Former Student
"If It wasn't for this college, I would have crashed and burned stepping into ministry on my own. "
Lily Puchalsky
Former Student
"In my two years at this college I was put in a great environment to focus on God and grow spiritually. The leadership and teachers were always willing to go above and beyond to answer any questions and to pour into my life. After going through this I felt well prepared for ministry!"
Garrett Gingerich
Former Student
"God has radically changed my life through this college. I've grown more in my faith than I ever had as a Christian before this. If you want to deeper your relationship with God and be the best minister of the gospel, this college is for you. It radically changed my life forever, and I give glory to God for making happen!"
Christa Rotunda
Former Student

Send us a message for more information!:

We look forward to hearing from you.

    Learning Path:

    Bridges Christian College

    $2,000/year
    • Fully Accredited College Degree
    • Obtain ministerial credentials through the Assemblies of God
    • Direct pathway into ministry
    • Full staff of supportive teachers
    • Active ministry experience with Hope Church
    Meet

    Our Awesome Team

    PASTOR SCOTT & DARLA

    PASTOR SCOTT & DARLA

    Lead Pastors at Hope

    PASTOR TOMMY & HOLLY RUSSO

    PASTOR TOMMY & HOLLY RUSSO

    Program Directors

    PASTOR GP & Alicia

    PASTOR GP & Alicia

    Teaching Support Staff

    Pastor Mark & Gina

    Pastor Mark & Gina

    Marketing & Social Med.

                                                                      Why You Should Organize Your Life Around Sharing & Living The Gospel – tommy@hope.cc

    You can share the gospel with: •friends  •family  •co-workers •strangers

     

    People are the only thing you can take to Heaven.

     

    The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

     

    Something I say is that LOVE MEANS COURAGE. Which means that if you love someone enough, you will have the courage to tactfully explain to them truth that can save their souls.

     

    18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

     

    Both sharing your faith and not sharing your faith has to do with punishment. Let me explain.

     

    Either you are not sharing your faith because you expect that person will punish you somehow OR you are sharing your faith because you expect that if you don’t that person will never know God’s perfect love and that will be a punishment.

     

    If you have perfect love – you will have courage to not think about how they could punish you (through what they may say or how they may treat you) but have the courage to not think about yourself and move into action in hopes that they don’t receive the punishment that comes from not knowing and encountering God’s amazing love.

     

    Are you more worried about their potential punishment or yours?

     

    My hope is and I know that we can, rise up and be the people of God that care more about other people than ourselves. Even if it makes us uncomfortable in the process.

     

    If this makes you uncomfortable, that’s okay. It makes me uncomfortable too. That is why Jesus tells us in Luke 9:23 23 “If anyone would come after me, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross daily and follow me. See Jesus knew this would make us uncomfortable, which is why he tells us that in order to do what he has called us to do, we are going to have decide to deny our natural tendencies and follow him at all costs.

     

    And the beautiful thing is, when we follow Jesus this closely, he uses us in unbelievable ways.

     

    Romans 2:4 that it is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. The kindest thing you can do is show God’s kindness by being kind enough to share the gospel.

     

    Be Like John Harper on the Titanic!

    How To Share The Gospel

     

    1)        Just talk to them!

    -Get over fear! Let your love for them be more powerful than your fear of rejection.

     

    -Ask them a question: “I have a goal to pray for someone every day…I was wondering how can I pray for you?”

     

    -After that opening question, introduce yourself and listen for their name and tell them you would love to pray for them!

     

    2)        Feel it out!

    -Let the Holy Spirit lead you! Sometimes I end the convo early and sometimes I keep going.

     

    -Sometimes all someone needs is love but don’t use that excuse to not share the whole gospel.

     

    -I’ve had very few people angry with me because I make them feel loved and cared for.

     

    3)        Pray right there (or at least be ready to)!

    -Sometimes you walk away and pray but sometimes you get to pray with them on the spot.

     

    4)        Share the GOSPEL (This is the GOOD NEWS and most important part)!

    -SIDE NOTE: To share the gospel, you have to KNOW THE GOSPEL. If you don’t know it, learn it.

     

    -Martin Luther said “We need to hear the gospel every day because we forget the gospel every day.”

     

    Gospel RECAP

    1.         Jesus, fully God and fully man, came and lived a perfect life

    2.         He came to die for your sins and my sins

    3.         He did that on the cross because he loves us that much that He would be brutally executed so we could have life through his sacrifice and he rose again and conquered sin and death!

    4.         When we put our faith and trust in him and turn away from our sins we are forgiven and the Holy Spirit comes to live in us

    5.         We are no longer separated from God in Eternity but will be forever with God in Heaven

     

    5)        Listen to their response!

    -They may have tears in their eyes or be (or seem) totally disinterested.

     

    -Whatever the response, continue to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

     

    -You are the one that plants the seeds and God is the one that causes the growth!

     

    -Don’t condemn them or pronounce judgment on them based on what you say, but tell them what the bible says in the most loving way possible. Make them feel loved.

     

    -Romans 2:4 – The kindness of God leads us to repentance.

     

    -Show them the love and kindness of God and remember that you are a sinner just like them! Don’t make them feel that you are superior to them!

    -Romans 3:23 – All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

    -Don’t believe the lies of the devil. He will try to tell you it was unproductive/ineffective/that you pushed them away from God. NONE OF THAT IS TRUE!

     

    -You did something awesome in your obedience to the Lord in sharing the gospel!

     

    -Praise be to God that he loved and cared for us so much that he made a way to not be separated but come into the family of God through Jesus shedding of blood for our forgiveness on the cross.

     

    -They need to know that TODAY they can come into God’s family by putting their faith in Christ, turning from sin, and following Jesus.

     

    Some things to remember: 

    •          The gospel is not inviting someone to church (although you can do that)

    •          The gospel is not required only for pastors or more spiritual Christians

    •          The gospel is not something that needs to be weird, strange, or freak people out

    •          Remember that this is a SPIRITUAL BATTLE.

    •          God is with you as you share with someone

    •          Don’t be worried about every word you say and trust that the Holy Spirit is talking through you

    •          It isn’t always as straightforward as this

    •          If you are scared about working through all these steps, start small and work your way through them

    •          Try to stay out of debates and focus on the gospel

    •          When talk about sin, target their heart and don’t compromise but also be gentle

    •          End conversations with Jesus loves you!

     

    Recommended Resources: 1) Read your Bible. 2) Ray Comfort (or Living Waters) / David Mapalo / RuslanKD / Mike Winger / Apologia Studios (Especially good for witnessing to cults) on Youtube 3) Find books/sermons/podcasts that talk about sharing the gospel

     

    Questions?


     

    Want to become a partner? Find out today how you can support our mission and impact the lives of young believers.