About Us
The Bridge is a non-profit, non-denominational community gathering place where we connect lives through friendship and purpose.
​Our Story:
It all started with a phone call...It was during the height of Covid when Brandon, our Founder and Director received a phone call. On the other end of the line was a young man who was sitting in his truck contemplating suicide and asked for Brandon to pray with him before he took his own life. We were able to get him help and he survived this difficult season in his life. God used that one event to spark something in Brandon's heart. Where do people go for hope and encouragement if they do not belong to a church, don't believe in God, or have been hurt in church? That one question began the journey of The Bridge. What if the community had a safe place, that feels like the living room in your home, where you could do life together. A place where all are welcome and all are loved as they are. A place where volunteers listen, listen, and love, love with no ulterior motive. A place where people are loved and encouraged, a place where God does the work not us in inner healing. A place that meets the needs of the community. Thus began The Bridge.​
Our Purpose is simple “We exist to be like Christ to our community to lift up… grow up… build up… reach in…reach out!”​​​
​
Meet Our Team
Our Founder and Director
Brandon Larson
Brandon Larson is a Pastor who has a heart for the city of Waynesville. His desire is to see all people know the saving love and grace of Jesus Christ. Brandon is a graduate of Lee University where his focus of studies were in Education, Counseling, and Theology. Brandon is married to Chasity who is a school teacher. They have two wonderful children.
Bridge Team​​​​
​
​​Dale Farley - Operations Coordinator
​
​
Dale grew up in Waynesville from the age six. Dale has been with The Bridge since we moved into our first bui.lding in 2021. Dale's life chamnged when he commited his life to the Lord at the age of eight. Dale married his beautiful wife in in 1971. He was married to his wife Brenda for 46 years until her death in 2017. He loves serving at The Bridge and being able to use the talents, wisdom, and knowledge God has poured into him over the years.
​​​
​​​​​​Billie Jo Cockerham - Program Coordinator
Billie Jo has been married to her husband Keith for 16 years. She is passionate about prayer and inner healing that can only come from God. She and her huband Keith have served together for the majority of their life together. They have 7 children. She loves cooking for the community and connecting over a meal..
​
​​​​​​Michael Logan - Support Services Coordinator
​​​
​​
​
Michael has been with the Bridge since August of 2023. He is currently a member of the Waynesville Planning committee and a Red Cross volunteer. Michael appreciates the Bridge for its ‘come as you are’ philosophy where the Bridge accepts anyone and everyone that comes through the doors regardless of where they are in their journey. Michael has lived in Waynesville with his wife Linda for 8 years.
​
Kate Smith - Grief Support Coordinator
​
​​​
​​
​​
Kate has a heart for people going through the grief process. Grief looks different for each person. She leads our Good Grief: Grief support group. She is also a caregiver and a death doula. Kate has a grown son. The groups she has led have made a big impact on our community.
​
Keith Cockerham - Spritual Health Coordinator
​​​​​
​​​
​​
​​
​​
​Keith has been married to Billie Jo for sixteen years. He has a passion for seeing people set free and lives changed through the power of prayer. He and his wife Billie Jo serve at The Bridge together. They lead prayer rooms to guide those in inner healing that can only come from a loving heavenly father. ​
