The idea for Doug Travis’ ministry started on a back porch. “I was on vacation and I spent three days praying, reading the Bible and taking notes,” Travis said. “Every time I felt like the Holy Spirit was talking to me, I wrote it down.”
And then came the idea: Construct outdoor ramps for people with disabilities. The ministry is called “Building Bridges.”
A congregant at St. John’s Lutheran in Conover, North Carolina, Travis shared his idea at a gathering of circuit pastors. They encouraged him to give the ministry a try. In 2019, Travis held a fundraiser and raised $20,000. He has been able to rely on donations since then. “God has put the money there. A lot of people can’t give a whole lot, but they want to donate something. With it being out on the internet and our church website, we have people who donate from all over the country.”
The Building Bridges ministry purchases all the material, and Travis and his crew of volunteers do the work at no cost. If ramp recipients want to donate they can, but it’s not required.
Some ramps can be completed in a day. Most take two days to finish. The ministry’s half-dozen volunteers travel up to 40 miles from Conover to construct ramps. They get referrals through Regional Emergency Medical Services and home healthcare nurses. The number of ramps constructed has increased almost every year: nine ramps in 2019, 20 in 2020, 30 in 2021, 40 in 2022, 30 in 2023. What happened in 2023?
“I have to pick up furniture and deliver it for the Sharing Center,” Travis said. That’s another ministry at St. John’s that collects food, clothes and furniture for those in need. “It took away from my time (building ramps).”
It’s worth noting that Travis turns 82 this month.
Building Bridges doesn’t turn anyone away, and the ministry has a waiting list. Travis said, “I tell everyone who calls, I’ll be willing to do it when I can get around to it. There’s just so much we could do if we had the volunteers.”
The phrase “building bridges” refers to repairing relationships. The ministry’s website makes it clear its objective is the ultimate version of that: “We are working hard to build a bridge for everyone from our earthly world to the Lord.”