About Bridge The Gap
God has called us to bridge the gap between the lost and the church. We minister to the lost that have not come into the church and to the church that has not taken up its proper role of evangelism as patterned in the Bible.
Our Impact
It’s our goal to make a Kingdom difference in the lives of the men, women, and children we reach.
Here’s how we’re doing it.
Jim and Letha’s burden for inner city ministry began in Cincinnati, Ohio, nearly 20 years ago. Their hearts had always leaned towards the hurting, the broken, and the helpless—especially for those living on the streets, in the hood, under the bridges, and in the projects. It has been their privilege to be on the streets of Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky, feeding, clothing, preaching, and building relationships with those they meet there.
Over the years, Bridge The Gap has grown to involve hundreds of volunteers from many churches as together they minister to 500 to 1,000 people each week. Jim and Letha have birthed numerous outreaches that reach out to the homeless, drug addicts, and prostitutes. They have have planted ministries in Cincinnati, Ohio; Northern Kentucky; Detroit, Michigan; and Phoenix, Arizona. It has truly been exciting to see the intense passion that has developed in the hearts of Bridge The Gap volunteers. God is building an awesome team to make an eternal impact in the heart of inner cities.
Jim is a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God. Since his initial conversion, he has served in Sunday school ministry, van ministry, youth ministry, children’s ministry, deacon ministry, nursing home ministry, jail ministry, prison ministry, truck stop ministry, and as a senior pastor, evangelist, outreach director, and more. His prayer is, “Lord, send me to the darkest, most impoverished, and drug-infested places on earth. Help me plant churches six inches from the gates of hell!”
Letha was raised in church and has followed the Lord from her early childhood. She married Pastor James at the age of seventeen, has three daughters, and one son, deceased. James and Letha are proud grandparents of six grandchildren, one of whom also died. Letha’s heart aches especially for women on the streets who are addicted to drugs and enslaved in prostitution. She has helped numerous women escape from these lifestyles and now live fruitful and productive lives by the power of God.
Meet the Team
These are the men and women who carry Bridge The Gap’s mission.
Mark Weigel
Vice President / Treasurer
For over ten years, Mark Weigel has served as Vice-President and Associate Pastor of Bridge the Gap Ministries, working diligently under the guidance of its founder, James Turner…
Kim Orlemann
Secretary
Kim Orlemann’s journey is a testament to a lifelong commitment to service and empowerment, rooted deeply in her upbringing in Southeastern Ohio. From an early age, Kim demonstrated…
Jerry Paoli
Missionary Associate
Pastor Jerry has been an invaluable asset to Bridge The Gap, playing a pivotal role in the establishment of our dinner churches and the men’s discipleship home. His dedication and passion for ministry…
Carrie Bradley
Missionary
Carrie Bradley and her husband Rodney have a profound calling that ignites their passion to reach the lost and the addicted. With the mission to preach the gospel to the poor and the prodigals…






