Bridge of Hope has been around for more than sixty years, founded on August 23, 1953 in Struthers, Ohio by 35 young pioneers who launched a new work for the Lord called Calvary Assembly of God. Over the years the church was led by nine pastors and their families. 

Pastor Elvin Irwin started the church and led it for three years, from 1953-1956. During much of his time as pastor the church met in a IOOF Lodge Hall, but towards the end the church purchased a piece of property on Boardman-Canfield Rd. 

Pastor Anthony DePolo pastored the church for two years, from 1956-1958. During his time the church constructed a facility at 412 Boardman-Canfield Rd and began holding services there. 

Pastor Raymond Tabor pastored the church for seven years, from 1958-1965. During his time the men of the church completed construction on the building and the church finally moved into their new 160 seat sanctuary. 

Pastor Paul Dear pastored the church for thirteen years, from 1965-1978. During his time the church grew to 150 people. They sold the property on Boardman-Canfield Rd and built a new church on the current Glenwood Ave. property, which they moved into on April 4, 1970. 

Pastor Gilbert Harris pastored the church for four years, from 1979-1983. During his time as pastor the church grew rapidly to over 500 in attendance. Plans were made for an expansion onto the current facility to accommodate the growth. 

Pastor Fred Spring pastored the church for two years, from 1983-1985. During his time the church finished the expansion project - our current facility - including a 1,350 seat sanctuary. However, the church went through a difficult time in 1985 and many left the church. 

Pastor Craig Canfield pastored the church for eight year, from 1985-1993. During his time the church went through an especially difficult season and many saw him as a healer and restorer.

Pastor David Bennett pastored the church for nineteen years, from 1993-2012. During his time the church went through a rebirth as they paid down its large mortgage, changed the name from Calvary Assembly of God to Bridge of Hope Church, and saw some growth and stability restored. 

Pastor Doug Reed pastored the church for almost nine years, from 2013-2022. He was the ninth pastor, after a two year search by the church to find its next leader. The church experienced both a physical and spiritual renovation, as the building was updated and the Holy Spirit began to move.

Pastor Mike Miller is Bridge of Hope’s tenth and current pastor. Voted in August of 2022, Pastor Mike came in with 93% of the vote, prepared to move forward and see all of the prophecies spoken over the church come to fruition.

Pastor Led, Staff Driven, Board Supported, and Congregation Empowered 

When we say Pastor Led we mean that we believe God has divinely appointed a leader over our church that hears from the Lord, casts vision for the church, charts the primary spiritual course, and functions as our primary preacher/teacher. 

When we say Staff Driven we mean that we believe God raises up other pastors, administrators, and ministry leaders who lead the day-to-day operations of a growing church, driving the vision of the Lead Pastor forward.

When we say Board Supported we mean that we believe God raises up men and women from amongst the body to serve our church through supporting our pastor with godly wisdom and counsel, prayers, financial accountability, and maintenance of the facility. 

When we say Congregation Empowered we mean that we believe the primary function of the Pastors and Leaders of our church is to equip and empower the congregation to do the work of the ministry.

Bridge of Hope Church is a part of the Ohio Ministry Network of the US Assemblies of God. As an Assemblies of God church we adhere to the Assemblies of God’s 16 fundamental truths.