There's A New Old Church In Town [Video/Photos]

By Martin Henderson

It began with a nearly one-mile walk from one building to the other, a journey Pastor Ryan Oddo called "the praise walk." For him, it was the most moving part of the Saturday celebration between The Bridge and Mission Hills Community Church. 

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On the 10th anniversary of The Bridge opening its doors as a church in Rancho Santa Margarita, the two churches combined to become one. The Mission Hills Community Church facility will now take the name The Bridge and serve as the main campus. The other facility, located on Tomas where The Bridge previously held its events, will function as an administration and youth building and site of special events. 

The two venues are 8/10ths of a mile from each other.

Following the resignation of Mission Hills pastor Mike Beals to become president of Vanguard University, the two churches—which have combined in the past for Easter in the Park services—began thinking about a marriage. Oddo, who began The Bridge when it operated out of Tijeras Creek Elementary School, will be the senior pastor. Beals had a front-row seat to Saturday festivities.

The Bridge moves into the most visible building one sees from the Santa Margarita Parkway Bridge when entering RSM. It's located at 29582 Aventura.

Average weekly attendance at the Bridge was 350 and at Mission Hills 450, Oddo said.

Mission Hills Christian School will continue to operate using the same name. The church and school "will be independently responsible but mutually connected," Oddo said after the coming together celebration that spanned more than two hours and celebrated the history of both churches. 

Mission Hills, founded in 1978, opened in RSM on March 31, 1991. Sunday services will be at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.