Communities Under the Bridge began in 1996 as Church Under the Bridge. Founded and led by Pastor Dennis Cawthon, the Gospel of Jesus was taken to areas under I-281 near the Pearl where the homeless community was fed and provided clothing after church. This is where the original name was born…Church Under the Bridge.
After 15 years, God blessed the ministry through three businessmen, who funded and built the beautiful church we now enjoy. Yes, God still does miracles today! The facility houses a breathtaking sanctuary, a commercial kitchen, a dining room, and a small clinic for medical and dental care.
In 2020, the Board of Directors for the ministry began strategic planning sessions. We had already enjoyed a robust community-led food program where over 100 churches and community groups have purchased, prepared, and served meals provided to the homeless since inception. With the growth and new focus brought on during the pandemic, the food program grew from three nights a week to seven nights a week to ensure unsheltered homeless men and women had a dinner meal, especially since most restaurants and shelters were closed.
Including our partnership with Taking it to the Streets who provided food on Saturday evenings, more than 55,000 evening meals were served from the CUB gates in 2020! Growth in the other areas of the ministry birthed the new vision God gave us to become community-led in all of our programs. As a result, 2021 brought a new year, with a new name, and a new mission, as we became Communities Under the Bridge.
We are excited about the journey God has given in this season. Many new teams and individuals have already begun to serve throughout our outreach efforts and the abundant provision of Jehovah Jireh keeps pouring in. Our decision to “tithe on the tithe” has not only blessed CUB but many other ministries with which we have been able to share resources. We gave Him our total YES to being the hands and feet of Jesus! If you are ready to give Him your YES, visit the “Get Involved” link to find out more.
Connecting individuals, churches, businesses and community groups with the homeless to bring the hope of Jesus Christ and to meet their essential needs for an improved circumstance.
To minister where the homeless and those who are broken so they can find hope and agape love and live a life transformed by Jesus Christ. To bridge individuals, churches, businesses, and community groups with opportunities to serve in mission and ministry outreach.
We are a Christian faith-based ministry that believes in the power of the gospel to transform lives. Our foundation is based on these tenants.
"This is a place where the love of Jesus can be experienced firsthand. I am blessed to have the privilege of serving our board, our partners, and our homeless guests!"
“God took the fear I had of serving the homeless and turned it into a beautiful, bountiful blessing of knowing them by name.”
My family and I were called to serve. We answered the call and through our service at CUB have been truly blessed to receive more than we could ever give!
“Being a part of the CUB staff led me to a new appreciation for our partners and guests. As a board member, I now have an opportunity to be a part of expanding what we can offer our guests."
“Volunteering at CUB has filled my heart with hope. I love being a part of an organization that sees every individual as a key piece of God’s Kingdom.”
“Serving in multiple roles on the board and as a staff member, I am able to use my training from the military to help advance the mission of CUB while showing God’s love to people in practical ways.”
“I love the individuals we serve with the same love that Jesus has for us. We strive to show that love at CUB and to foster the hope needed for them to know their value…both to God and to us.”
Every face we look into is the face of a child of God. 1 John 3:18 says, ”Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” This is what CUB does and I am honored to be a part of the HOPE for our homeless.
“Serving in multiple roles on the board and as a staff member, I am able to use my training from the military to help advance the mission of CUB while showing God’s love to people in practical ways.”
“I love serving the Lord while building friendships.”
“My family and I have been able to experience and share God's love through serving others at CUB! I have established new friendships with our unsheltered family as well as our church partners.”
