The Bridge App Adds Print Directory and Processes $6.8M for Local Churches

Throughout the pandemic, many churches turned to The Bridge App as a way to stay connected with members and to facilitate giving toward the church budget and other local ministry causes. Even with a return to in-person worship in 2022, giving through The Bridge App has continued to steadily grow.

In 2022, there were 30,328 donations processed on behalf of local churches, amounting to $6,795,637 Canadian. That’s an increase of nearly $2.5 million from the 21,729 donations in 2021, and $4.2 million more than the 12,677 donations in 2020. 

Dorothy Vandersteen, Bridge App program manager, says that many churches and users have grown to prefer the convenience of donating via the app, which was developed in partnership between CRCNA-Canada and Extreme Technology, based in southern Ontario.

Users can make one-time or recurring donations, give through their bank account or credit card, and have an easy-to-access record of donations on their iOS or Android device. Local church treasurers can also assist elderly members, or those without access to a smartphone or tablet, by administering giving in much the same way as the CRC’s Pre-Authorized Remittance program offered to Canadian churches.

Another recent enhancement to The Bridge App is the ability for a church administrator to prepare a print version of the membership directory, including photos that users have uploaded. This feature was added at the request of several local church administrators who explained that there are members in long-term care or retirement homes who may not have a smartphone or tablet but would like a printed copy of the church directory.

“Community CRC (Kitchener, ON) has been encouraging our members to use The Bridge App for many years but more so since COVID. It is an easy way to have member contact and address information at your fingertips,” said Office Administrator Donna Vandervelde. “What makes The Bridge App special is that pictures can be uploaded by users.  When you attend a large church having pictures is helpful, especially for new people. Convincing people to add a picture has been a challenge however we have noticed once they do, those same people will update their pictures.”

Anita DeHaan, Community CRC’s Church Office and Youth Programs Administrator, went on to explain that “Many people have told us that having a church directory at your fingertips is great and they like using it. However some members are still interested in having a paper copy. With this new capability of The Bridge App, we are happy to tell them, absolutely, we can do that for you right now. As church office administrators, we love to give members options that fit with how they do life.”

To learn more about The Bridge App, please visit www.crcna.org/resources/church-resources/bridge-app or contact [email protected].