About Bridges - Bridges To Common Ground

Who We Are

Bridges To Common Ground was established in 2005 and our founders have promoted peace and reconciliation for over 25 years. Our strategy is a spiritually based, person-to-person approach to diplomacy that encourages transformation, resulting in internal and external peace with both God and neighbor. The work of Bridges has made notable contributions that have helped to stop wars, release political hostages and prisoners of faith and has even helped to stop a genocide! 

One key to our success is the study and real-world application of the Semitic languages found in Scripture. For over 25 years, Bridges has implemented this research in a variety of applications and have found from experience that this works to resolve even the most difficult issues between Muslims, Christians and Jews. Bridges To Common Ground provides ground-breaking research of the Holy Books. These transformative discoveries not only highlight common ground, but work to pursue and overcome the “big questions” by focusing on the perceived differences among Muslims, Christians and Jews.

Mission

To create the conditions for peace through a unique, blending of the sciences of linguistics, psychology, mathematics, and neuroplasticity, joining these with a faith-factor of engagement. And to reveal exciting new common ground, helping to dispel misunderstandings that contributed to mistrust, fear and conflict among the Abrahamic faiths.

Vision

To help empower and equip you with practical tools of personal transformation to ignite the redemptive awakening God has already started to heal our broken world.


I cannot overstate the importance of Mark’s strategic efforts to defuse the activities of radical Muslims worldwide. Many are convinced that he is on the cusp of what will prove literally to be the tipping point in realigning radical terrorist enemies.

Hon. Edwin Meese,

Former U.S. Attorney General and Fellow at the Heritage Foundation

We live in troubled times. All around us, intolerance and religious tensions are on the rise… (The work of Bridges) builds a compelling case that any faithful reading of religion and it’s teachings should serve to unite, not divide… With this important new work, Mr. Siljander has courageously stood up to be counted.

Ban Ki-MOON,

Secretary General of the United Nations

Our Model

The Bridges model is a unique blend of science and faith that has made significant contributions to peacemaking and the rescue of hostages and prisoners of conscience. It begins by applying the science of linguistics, primarily focusing on the Semitic languages of Hebrew, Arabic, and Aramaic -- which holds the key to Abrahamic scriptural-based unity. This pioneering research uncovers powerful new religious common ground that undermines the doctrinal ideologies which generate fear, radicalization, persecution, and the subsequent religious conflict. 

Next, our model hosts a psychologically sound “behavioral algorithm” that reveals how to love in practical terms, quantified in both macro and micro applications. It defines 14 constant inputs of behavior that reflect the powerful and functional expressions of love. When these 14 inputs are applied, one can expect the mathematical consistency of positive outputs/outcomes. And finally, we join this with the science of neuroplasticity; training the brain to rewire from viewing the “other” as an enemy, to instead become a friend.

How It Works

The Bridges model is often applied via our partner multi-sector Crisis Response Teams that include seasoned experts from government, religious and business backgrounds. Through experience, our Team has forged a means of augmenting the four traditional tracks of crisis response, (i) politics, (ii) diplomacy, (iii) military action, and (iv) economic engagement. What differentiates us is that we add a “5th track” or a faith-based approach that is of vital importance, as it directly addresses these deeply interpersonal, spiritual and religious components of peacemaking, especially in the Abrahamic context. Through more than 25 years of in-field application, this has contributed to the resolution of some of the most complex international crises, especially those involving Muslims, Christians, and Jews. 

Your Impact

Memorializing the work of Bridges, our team is now working on a series of resources and publications designed to help empower others to replicate our work of interfaith peacemaking and reconciliation in their own countries and communities.  Our research, publications, and methodologies will allow for this peacemaking model to be replicated and scaled exponentially. Among the numerous study applications, these resources are also intended to train and mentor leaders around the world that have a capacity to catalyze change.