7 Bridges to Recovery

7 Bridges to Recovery is a non-profit organization that reaches out to the homeless and broken of Atlanta and beyond. We are based off of Isaiah 58:6-8 where God responds to the Israelites in saying, " Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." 

It started with God capturing the heart of a man in solitary confinement and giving him the gift of reading as he opened up the Bible for the first time. This man goes by Seven because God told him he was no longer who he used to be but is a new creation and is complete in Him.  Since that day, he has gone by Seven.  Seven was released from prison 11 years ago, took the Bible literally, and started going under the bridges and into the streets of Atlanta, telling those about the Jesus that had rescued him. He was given a home and started bringing in men right off the streets into the home with him, discipling them and training them up in the Lord.  Then women and children started showing up wanting help and God provided the Garden, an old church that has been turned into a home for women and children. Currently today, we house 65 women and about 39 children from all different walks of life.  We also have 17 men in a disciplship program that commit a year to the program and serve  as our leaders when we go out on the streets. We continue to reach out to those who live out on the streets and our goal is to first and foremost, share Christ with them and also get them off the streets. We pass out food and hygiene items because we know that Christ met physical needs as he met their spiritual needs but we are not an humanitarian group. We know that change can only come from God and His Word. 

There are many ways to serve and get involved with 7 Bridges to Recovery if you are interested.  It is a family-centered place so people of all ages are welcome. You can help come serve/provide a meal or just hang out with our kids and ladies here. We go out on the streets every Saturday and then sporadically through out the week in the evenings.Recently, some of the ladies from Sovereign Grace made some blankets and I distributed them to an apartment complex that has no heat or electricity and where the residents are just "squatting" and living there without paying rent.(See photos)   There are many kids there that we so grateful for a handmade colorful warm blanket.We run completely on faith and donations so keep us in mind when getting rid of things/clothing from your homes. Whatever you have or use in your home, we could use it too, just multiplied by 100!  Whatever gift you have or creativity to serve, we would be glad to find a way to get you connected! Thanks for praying for us and looking forward to serving more in the future!

Please check us out at www.7bridgestorecovery.org or contact Melissa Ehrhardt at church for more information.