our mission

Child Bridge finds and equips foster and adoptive families for children who have suffered abuse and neglect.

Our story

A beautiful Fight

"Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow."

~ Isaiah 1:17

We are in a beautiful fight against the dark warfare on the lives of children.

It started in 2008 with a simple magazine ad that said there are 143 million orphans. That statistic jumped right off the page and stomped on our hearts. It was unfathomable to think that in a world with 2 billion Christians, there could be such a devastating crisis for the children God specifically calls us to defend.

We learned that if just 7% of today’s Christians cared for a single orphan, there would be no more orphans. And with that, Child Bridge was born.

God moved in our hearts to become defenders of the defenseless, the abused and neglected. And what better place to start than in Montana—a state known by most people for its breathtaking beauty, but lesser known for the darkness within. With one of the nation’s highest per capita rates of children in foster care, we knew our mission to find families to care for these children had to begin right here.

The truth is that there are not enough families to care for these innocent children. We bridge the gap by raising up bold and passionate Christians to do the hard work of caring for the vulnerable in our communities—whether a child’s need is a few days, a few months or forever.

Our aim is to inspire a movement of fearless, joyful ambassadors of Christ who fight for children who bear the invisible marks of being unseen, unheard and unwanted. It will be a glorious day when we have an army of these families and can say, “God’s people are boldly caring for His children.”

We do what we do because we believe every child is a masterpiece worthy of being seen.

Join us. This fight is worth it.

About us

Our Values

We are
fearless.
Our faces are as lions.
"They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions."

1 Chronicles 12:8
We see
the unseen.
What can be compels us.
"So we fix our eyes, not on what is seen, but on what is unseen."

2 Corinthians 4:18
We Are Ambassadors.
We bear the image of Another.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light."

1 Peter 2:9
We go
out in joy.
Our path is marked by light.
"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

Isaiah 55:12

Our Logo

Isaiah 1:17

"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

117°

Glass pieces

Represents each of our missional values, and the uniqueness and complexity of every child.

Cracks in the window

Represents the cables on a bridge, and seeing beauty and strength in brokenness.

Light from above

Represents a 117° angle, a path marked by light, and seeing the unseen.

Defense wall

Represents protecting the mosaic within, and defending the oppressed and fatherless.

Bridging the gap

Thousands of children need help, and we bridge the gap by finding families to care for them.

about us

Our Logo

117°

Isaiah 1:17

"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

Glass pieces

Represents each of our brand values, and the uniqueness and complexity of every child.

Cracks in the window

Represents the cables on a bridge, and seeing beauty and strength in brokenness.

Light from above

Represents a 117° angle, a path marked by light, and seeing the unseen.

Defense wall

Represents protecting the mosaic within, and defending the oppressed and fatherless.

Bridging the gap

Thousands of children need help, and we bridge the gap by finding families to care for them.

Meet our team

Mary
Bryan
,
Cofounder & Director of Donor Relations

Over 10 years ago, God broke Mary’s heart for Montana children who are suffering without families. Convicted to make a difference, Mary and her husband, Steve, left executive careers in the “for-profit” sector. Stepping out in faith, they started Child Bridge. In order to find more families to care for hurting children, Mary is a tireless advocate for missional development and donor engagement. She believes God is providing a beautiful opportunity for others to be part of His movement where we can say, God’s people are caring for God’s children.

Mary Bryan

Cofounder & Director of Donor Relations
TBRI® Practitioner
Cameron
Schieldt
,
Director of Marketing

Growing up on a Christian summer camp in the Beartooth Mountains fueled Cameron’s passion for helping Montana’s youth thrive from an early age. After graduating from Liberty University with a B.S. in Public Relations and Advertising, he worked for full-service marketing agencies and on Scentsy’s corporate team managing global marketing strategies for partnerships with Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars and Make-A-Wish. He is thankful for the opportunity to serve God while living in his favorite place on earth.

Cameron Schieldt

Director of Marketing
TBRI® Practitioner
Katie
Brien
,
Director of Operations

Katie’s background in operations management and desire to design and implement organizational processes, helps ensure the various departmental components of Child Bridge work together cohesively and employees are able to thrive. You will frequently find her with a notepad and pen in hand ready to tackle the next round of advancements. Born and raised in Montana, she is grateful to have an opportunity in her home state that combines her passion for people and systems with a mission that is close to God’s heart.

Katie Brien

Director of Operations
TBRI® Practitioner
Tricia
Collins
,
Director of Missional Impact

After a 20-year successful career in the mortgage banking industry, Tricia spent a decade as a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters – one having been added into their family through foster care and eventually adoption. She attended Bible college at Northwest University, graduating Summa Cum Laude, with a degree in Ministry Leadership. Tricia was a former youth in foster care and an adoptee. These experiences have made her a powerful voice for the voiceless. Her passion is to mobilize the church in its pivotal role of redemption of the fatherless.

Tricia Collins

Director of Missional Impact
TBRI® Practitioner
TBRI Practitioner
Jacqueline
Bergren
,
Foster Parent Coach
Butte

Jacqueline’s prayer for as long as she can remember has been “Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours.” She is an advocate for the unseen and walks boldly into brokenness knowing God goes before her to bring healing and redemption. Jacqueline received her B.S. in Elementary Education from MSU–Northern. She has served alongside her husband, Titus, in full-time ministry for 18 years. They have six children: three biological, one adopted and two foster. Jacqueline strives to be a person of intention and excellence so that God might receive all the glory.

Jacqueline Bergren

Foster Parent Coach
TBRI® Practitioner
TBRI Practitioner
Ray
Biggerstaff
,
Foster Recruiting Specialist
Kalispell

Ray grew up in Northern California and received missionary training through Youth with A Mission in Las Vegas. After graduation, he joined the team full time. It was at YWAM where he met his wife, Clare. Even before they were married, they talked about adopting through foster care and were both deeply drawn to serving children and families. Once married, they began their foster and adoptive journey, leading them to care for 14 children in foster care over eight years – adopting two of them. Ray most recently served as Program Director with faith-based, Compassion Connect.

Ray Biggerstaff

Foster Recruiting Specialist
TBRI® Practitioner
TBRI Practitioner
Hanna
Carlson
,
Foster Parent Coach
Butte

Moving home to Montana prompted Hanna and her husband to step into foster care, and God has been blessing them through it ever since. With a Master's in Education from Lesley University, Hanna comes to Child Bridge with over a decade of experience as a teacher. She is also a wife of 11 years and a mom to three kids, two of whom were adopted from foster care. Looking back, she sees God’s hand in preparing her for the Kingdom work of empowering families like her own.

Hanna Carlson

Foster Parent Coach
TBRI® Practitioner
Hannah
Hudson
,
Graphic Designer

Hannah is a transplant from Newnan, Georgia. She earned a B.S. in Industrial Design from Georgia Tech, and adores all things creative. She got her first taste of Montana in 2018 through an internship at the nonprofit architecture firm 100 Fold Studio. After returning south to work for Ramsey Solutions as a product designer for three years, she's now back in Montana to stay. A lifelong follower of Christ, she aims to use her talents in design for the good of God’s beloved children.

Hannah Hudson

Graphic Designer
TBRI® Practitioner
Emily
Jankowski
,
Donor Relations Coordinator

From beaches to prairie to mountains, Emily followed God’s call across the country before finally landing Montana. An Oklahoma native, Emily earned her B.S. in Graphic Design from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Discovering the prevalence of child victimization online lit a fire in her heart to help vulnerable children — a mission she now gets to live out through her work. She fills her free time with photography, baking and exploring God’s creation with her husband and their two pups.

Emily Jankowski

Donor Relations Coordinator
TBRI® Practitioner
Cindy
Larsen
,
Foster Recruiting Manager
Miles City

Cindy was born and raised in Miles City and holds a B.A. in Human Services from Western Washington University. After owning her own business and serving as the Chamber of Commerce President, Cindy got involved with the Jefferson County DUI Task Force. Cindy has worked as a Child Protection Specialist and Seventh Judicial District Treatment Court Coordinator. For five years, she chaired the Dawson County DUI Task Force. Cindy and John’s fostering led to the adoption of their daughter, Starr. And they are also the parents of two adult biological children.

Cindy Larsen

Foster Recruiting Manager
TBRI® Practitioner
TBRI Practitioner
LaTrisha
Larson
,
Foster Parent Coaching Manager
Billings

Originally from Iowa, LaTrisha graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and spent five years working as a caseworker for a nonprofit agency. She feels incredibly blessed that for 10 years she was a stay-at-home mom while supporting her husband – an active-duty soldier. LaTrisha feels called to work with families and loves watching God work. The scripture that she stands on is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.”

LaTrisha Larson

Foster Parent Coaching Manager
TBRI® Practitioner
Certified Parent Coach
Andrew
Morrow
,
Foster Recruiting Specialist
Great Falls

Andrew was born and raised in California and left to attend Lee University in Tennessee. Hearing a call to seminary, he returned to the Golden State where he received pastoral ordination through the Church of God and Patton Seminary. Andrew served bi-vocationally as a youth pastor for over eight years, while also gaining management experience in the communications and business process solutions sector. In 2016, he and his wife, Heather, were married, and their foster care journey began just two years later eventually fostering 17 children.

Andrew Morrow

Foster Recruiting Specialist
TBRI® Practitioner
TBRI Practitioner
Heather
Morrow
,
Foster Parent Coaching Manager
Great Falls

As a child, Heather told her parents that no matter what the rest of her life looked like, she was going to adopt. While that has not yet become a reality, she and her husband Andrew have fostered 17 children since 2018. With a degree in Biblical Studies from William Jessup University, Heather has served in multiple ministry roles as well as gained vital experience as a recruiting manager for a nationwide customer service company. Heather is passionate about seeing foster families equipped to effectively care for children from hard places.

Heather Morrow

Foster Parent Coaching Manager
TBRI® Practitioner
Certified Parent Coach
Sharae
Nelson
,
Operations Specialist

Sharae learned at a young age that everyone has a story, and we all need God’s love and grace. She graduated from Washington State University with a B.S. in Communications. Her experience managing a consulting firm in the drug and alcohol industry filled her with compassion for the broken and lost. Her career as a stay-at-home mom to two boys bolstered her love for kids. Now, Sharae takes joy in using her talents to serve the children of Montana.

Sharae Nelson

Operations Specialist
TBRI® Practitioner
Emmy
Ort
,
Foster Parent Coach
Kalispell, MT

Emmy finds her highest joy in opening her home to provide safety and hope to any who need it. She earned a B.A. in Camp and Recreation Management from John Brown University before embarking on a 25-year career serving families affected by disabilities through camps and ministries. Since 2011, she and her family have shared their home and blessings with many children and teens from foster care.

Emmy Ort

Foster Parent Coach
TBRI® Practitioner
Melissa
Puyear
,
Foster Parent Coach
Helena

Melissa graduated from Trinity Bible College with bachelor's degrees in Biblical and Intercultural Studies. She began her full-time ministry career as Outreach Coordinator for a church in California. There, she first felt God calling her to help families thrive in community. She further pursued that calling to Europe where she helped create curriculums to help guide victims of sex trafficking toward safety and healing. Now God has called her family home to Montana where she is excited to serve God’s special children and their families.

Melissa Puyear

Foster Parent Coach
TBRI® Practitioner
Certified Parent Coach
Chrissy
Treu
,
Foster Parent Coach
Miles City

Growing up watching her mom run a crisis pregnancy center, Chrissy learned from a very early age that every life is a gift from God. Chrissy, along with her husband Nate, have called Miles City their home for the last decade. They currently have five children – two biological and three foster. Through this journey, she has been profoundly challenged by the foster crisis to live out the simple motto "love the one in front of you." Chrissy and her family have been licensed for therapeutic foster care for 7 years and have learned that we truly are better together.

Chrissy Treu

Foster Parent Coach
TBRI® Practitioner
Certified ETC Facilitator
Mary Cloud
Vander Ark
,
Copywriter

Mary Cloud’s own adoption story and early work in childcare drew the heartbreaking yet beautiful fight for hurting children near to her heart. After earning a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Mississippi, she followed God’s lead and moved to Montana where she worked as a news reporter and a communications specialist for local ministries and nonprofits. Her gifts in writing, heart for children, and faith in Christ finally led her to Child Bridge, where she aims to serve as a link between the community she loves and the children hurting within it.

Mary Cloud Vander Ark

Copywriter
TBRI® Practitioner
Nicholas
Van Oort
,
Marketing Tech & Production Specialist

Growing up in a family that provided foster and respite care created in Nicholas a strong desire to see kids from challenging backgrounds find safe and loving homes. An ordained minister with a B.A. in Organizational Leadership from Northwest University, Nicholas served in a church staff position prior to joining Child Bridge. His heart for ministry and attention to detail allows him to balance a variety of responsibilities. He loves helping others succeed in fulfilling the things God calls them to, including the challenges and victories along the way.

Nicholas Van Oort

Marketing Tech & Production Specialist
TBRI® Practitioner
Meet our board

Our benefits

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
FSA/HSA
PTO/Holidays
401K + Match
Life & AD&D Insurance

Our benefits

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
FSA/HSA
PTO/Holidays
401K + Match
Life & AD&D Insurance

Join US

Are you passionate about protecting children? Are you highly energetic, driven and talented? Can you help us take our mission to the next level? We are always on the lookout for joyful ambassadors of Christ who want to help us fearlessly defend the cause of the unseen. If that’s you, check out our job openings or send us an email at careers@childbridgemontana.org to let us know why you should be the next member of our team.

open positions

Graphic Designer
(New Location)
Bigfork, MT (or remote within Montana)

The Graphic Designer is a vital communicator of the Child Bridge mission, responsible for promoting our mission visually. Their primary focus is to engage hearts to the mission through bold, compelling, and consistent content shared across digital and print marketing channels.

learn morelearn more
Foster Parent Coach
(New Location)
Kalispell, MT

The Foster Parent Coach’s primary focus is to educate foster families through training and resources that are needed to care for a child who has suffered abuse and neglect, returning families to their scriptural obedience to foster. The Parent Coach will also develop training curriculum that is used throughout all services.

learn morelearn more
Foster Parent Coach
(New Location)
Missoula, MT

The Foster Parent Coach’s primary focus is to educate foster families through training and resources that are needed to care for a child who has suffered abuse and neglect, returning families to their scriptural obedience to foster. The Parent Coach will also develop training curriculum that is used throughout all services.

learn morelearn more

our locations

Billings

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Butte

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Great Falls

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Helena

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Kalispell

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Miles City

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Missoula

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our locations

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Billings

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Butte

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Great Falls

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Helena

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Kalispell

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Miles city

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Missoula

Our REGIONs

Child Bridge finds and equips families around the state of Montana through 8 regional offices.