Our Story

Bringing hope to the forgotten

Bridges of Grace began with a simple burden: to reach people who felt forgotten with the love and message of Jesus Christ.

In 2007, Ian Sendi began this work in Kampala, Uganda, under the name Sendi Ian Foundation. It started with a heart to serve the lowly, the vulnerable, and the overlooked — not only by meeting practical needs, but by helping people know that God sees them, loves them, and has a purpose for their lives.

What began as a small step of obedience has grown into a ministry of Gospel outreach, discipleship, children and family support, community care, and missionary work.

More than help — a place to belong

Over the years, Bridges of Grace has come alongside children who were living on the streets or in unsafe living conditions. Some needed food. Some needed shelter. Some needed school. Some needed medical care. But all of them needed love, safety, and family.

By God’s grace, children have been welcomed into places where they could receive care, protection, education, clothing, food, healthcare, and the warmth of family.

We believe a child needs more than survival. A child needs to know they are loved. A child needs guidance, prayer, correction, encouragement, and someone who believes in their future.

At Bridges of Grace, we see every child as created in the image of God. We believe their life has value, their story matters, and their future is worth protecting.

Walking with young people and families

As the ministry grew, Bridges of Grace also began serving vulnerable young adults, women, and families.

Many of the people we serve are carrying heavy burdens — poverty, broken family situations, lack of opportunity, discouragement, and spiritual need. Our desire is to walk with them in love, helping them grow in faith, gain life skills, find encouragement, and move forward with hope.

We do not believe ministry is only about giving things. It is about building people.

Through discipleship, teaching, mentorship, practical support, and community care, we want to help people discover their God-given dignity and purpose.

Becoming Bridges of Grace

In 2021, Bridges of Grace was registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Minnesota, United States. This step helped strengthen the ministry’s structure, accountability, fundraising, and missionary work in both Uganda and Minnesota.

In December 2025, the board voted to dissolve Sendi Ian Foundation into Bridges of Grace so the work in Uganda and the United States could move forward under one name, one mission, and one covering.

The name changed, but the heart remained the same.

We exist to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, make disciples, teach the Word of God, and serve people with the love of Christ.

One mission in Uganda and Minnesota

Today, Bridges of Grace serves in both Uganda and Minnesota.

In Uganda, the ministry continues through Gospel outreach, discipleship, children and family support, community care, and Bridges of Grace Church. The church is currently operating as a house church, with a vision to officially launch in January 2027.

In Minnesota, Bridges of Grace continues to grow in missionary work, discipleship, prayer, outreach, and support for the work God is doing in Uganda.

Whether in Kampala or Minnesota, our mission is the same: to help people encounter Jesus, grow in the Word, experience the love of Christ, and walk in hope.

A story of grace

Our story is not only about an organization. It is about the grace of God at work in people’s lives.

It is the story of children finding care.
Young people finding hope.
Families finding support.
Communities being served.
The Gospel being preached.
And lives being touched by the love of Jesus Christ.

We are called Bridges of Grace because we believe grace builds bridges.

Grace builds a bridge between brokenness and healing.
Between poverty and hope.
Between loneliness and family.
Between need and care.
Between people and Jesus.

This is our story.

A story that began with a burden to reach the forgotten — and continues today through the Gospel, grace, and love of Jesus Christ.