Celebrating 50 Years

CENTRAL MISSIONARY CLEARINGHOUSE FOUNDER

 Reverend Jack Bridges

Central Missionary Clearinghouse was founded in 1974 by Rev. Jack Bridges, Pastor (Emeritus) of the Central Baptist Church, Pasadena, Texas.  Bro. Jack, as he was affectionately called, earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Bible Baptist Seminary of Fort Worth, Texas, in 1946.  Following graduation, Bro. Jack served four years as associate pastor to Pastor Dr. John Rawlings at Central Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas.  In 1950, he and Dr. Rawlings organized Freeway Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, a mission of the Tyler church.

 Bro. Jack pastored Freeway Baptist Church for 14 years before accepting an invitation from Dr. Fred Donnelson, missionary founder of the Baptist Bible Fellowship, to become his assistant.  On Dr. Donnelson's retirement in May 1968, Bro. Jack became Director of Missions where he faithfully served until November 1973. It was during his time at Bible Baptist Seminary and under the teaching of Dr. Donnelson that Bro. Jack developed a burden for missionaries that grew stronger with the passing of years.

Bro. Jack established Central Missionary Clearinghouse in Pasadena, Texas to provide a way for those called of God to become missionaries and serve the people the Lord called them to serve.  He provided the Clearinghouse with experience, vision, compassion and understanding, in his effort to serve these Heroes of the Faith.  His desire was to allow the missionaries to devote their time and energy to the task of the ministry without the stress and worry of their support being handled in an efficient, economical, and timely manner. Central Missionary Clearinghouse has been able to accomplish this task for 50 years with the Lord’s guidance and protection.

Reverand Jack Bridges went home to be with his Lord in June 2005, but the legacy he left behind through Central Missionary Clearinghouse continues to reach the lost around the world through those that God calls.