Featuring Bridget & Don Brewster, CEO, Agape International Mission; Board Directors, G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice
How does a businessman from New York become a pastor in California? And how does a California pastor become an international advocate against human trafficking? How does a businesswoman from New York move to California for ministry? And how does that California ministry lead her to co-leading an international advocacy organization? The answers to these questions may elude some, but for Don and Bridget Brewster – the answer is clear. It is God’s plan for their lives.
Don and Bridget Brewster began their lives and their journey in upstate New York. Their early years were spent building a family and working in business. They had little idea that they had a greater calling for their lives and livelihood, not only across the country but across the globe.
After leaving a successful career in sales and marketing, Don and Bridget moved from their home state of New York to the other side of the country, Northern California. Don became the Executive Pastor at Adventure Christian Church in Roseville, California. His work and leadership contributed to the church’s growth from 400 in attendance to over 7,000 in just a decade. He was known for his compassionate and passionate work for those less advantaged in the community, as well as for his deeply heartfelt messages of hope. And alongside Don in this ministry was Bridget, with a heart equally compassionate and full of grace.
When Adventure Christian Church sent a missionary to Thailand, Don and Bridget, unexpectedly, were called to Thailand to support them. What they thought would be a brief trip across the globe turned into something much more when they visited Cambodia along the way. A country that was far less appealing to them than Thailand or the U.S., Cambodia still spoke into their compassionate hearts. The country was in desperate need of advocacy and of the light of Christ to fight the evil of sex trafficking.
After seeing first-hand the faces of the young people, mostly girls, exploited by the sex trafficking industry and international sex “tourism”, Don and Bridget heard God’s call for their lives. They joined Agape International Missions (AIM), a church planting organization established to bring the gospel to Cambodia. While leading AIM, they established AIM’s current purpose – to fight and end sex trafficking in that country with a holistic approach of rescuing, restoring, and reintegrating the survivors of this exploitation, grounded in the love of Christ.
Under Don and Bridget’s leadership over the past 15 years, Agape International Missions has grown to become a leader in the international anti-human trafficking community. Don and Bridget have spearheaded the innovative holistic approach to end trafficking which has been highlighted by CNN, ABC Nightline, Christianity Today, TEDx, The Washington Post and more.
Their work and their years of service and leadership at AIM have been very challenging yet so meaningful and so impactful. Don’s compassionate and sacrificial leadership has made a tremendous impact not only in Cambodia but also on the anti-trafficking movement worldwide. He and AIM have been role models for many other advocates and organizations. Bridget's focus has been to positively impact and transform individuals and communities through love, healing and freedom. Her dedication to loving well and perseverance through the hard things has set the tone for AIM as a whole.
While Don led AIM, he also persevered in education and training to equip him for the future. Don pursued and received his Bachelor of Science degree from William Jessup University, Masters in Christian Leadership from Liberty University, and an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Northwest Christian University. And in this current season of life, Don and Bridget are writing their first book to share with many their experiences and insights to inspire new generations of advocates. And, we are especially grateful for their leadership and support to G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice on our Board of Directors since our establishment in 2014.
Don and Bridget Brewster have had a remarkable journey from New York to California to Cambodia. It has been a journey of faith and calling – following a path of grace, sacrifice, perseverance and commitment to share’s God’s love with the world.