Dear Friends and Family,
As you may already know, I am a minister at the University of Pittsburgh and by God’s awesome provision have helped lead Cornerstone, a Christian fellowship on campus. This fellowship provides a number of ministries that many students have been able to take part in while at school; such as small group bible study, weekly worship and prayer meetings, discipleship and mentoring relationships, as well as various service projects.
This year for spring break Bellefield I have been asked to lead a spring break trip to the Dominican Republic. For the trip, we will be partnering with the group Meeting God in Missions (MGM). MGM will provide a unique opportunity to not only minister to the locals of the Dominican, but to build up the student’s spiritual well-being. MGM is one of the few mission programs focused on the Americans. That may, at first, sound like the wrong priority, but as founder Jim McDonald puts it: "People go on this trip and their lives are changed!"
Americans are hurting, and dry. Many are struggling with addictions, living in broken homes and need to have an encounter with the Living God. MGM exists to give the opportunity for people to do just that. Hundreds and hundreds of people have had their lives changed in this one week experience in Hato Mayor. Why? Maybe it's because they step away from their "comfort zone". Maybe it’s because they turn off their cell phones and laptops for a week. Maybe it’s the stark reality of living in the midst of extreme poverty. Maybe it’s the morning devotions. We don't always know why, but whatever the reason people have life changing encounters with God on this trip!
I am sending you this letter because these students have the opportunity to be a part of this amazing trip but they cannot do it alone. The trip costs $1100 per student, so I need you to prayerfully consider supporting them on this endeavor (I have already been paid for). Please be praying for me as I look forward to this trip, the planning that goes into it, and the means by which I will achieve my goal of raising their money. The expenses include transportation, housing, travel insurance, and food for the week. If you are able and willing, I’m asking for your support or help to cover trip expenses for these students. I realize that some of you already support me and I am thankful. So, I am asking that you to pray about giving an extra $25-$100 on top of your usual contribution. Also, this must be a separate check apart from your usual contribution to the CCO. Please send the separate check, with the money for the Dominican Republic trip, made out to Bellefield Presbyterian Church to:
Bellefield Presbyterian Church
Attn: Dominican Republic Spring Break Trip
4001 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pa 15213
Simply put "DR Trip" along with "General Donation" in the memo line. Thank you so much for your prayerful support and helping to make this opportunity a reality. May His name be glorified.
Sincerely,
Andy Moore
Monday, January 24, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
January Newsletter
New Years Vow
“Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.” –Matthew 5:37
It is the new year; a time where a vow is easily made, and just as easily broken. Nowadays we don’t even think twice about breaking our new years vow, instead measuring our time of success at keeping up with it.
In biblical times, a vow was a sacred agreement made between God and man. It was always kept, and if broken there would be severe consequences. You do not break a vow with God.
In a day where divorce, perjury, and lying are at an all time high, the concept of a vow being unbreakable is somewhat foreign to us. What we are really doing on New Years are making wishes, and not vows.
So this New Year, instead of making a breakable wish, make a vow to help others as Christ would. Make a vow to strengthen your relationship with God. Make a vow that will have a lasting effect (for good) on those around you…and above all, do not take that vow lightly.
Why We Do What We Do
Meet Cody Latimer. Cody is a freshman Psychology and Economics major here at Pitt. Known as the “hipster” of Cornerstone, Cody has a unique and likeable personality that makes him a Cornerstone standout. He is known for his sense of humor and his unique love for Justin Beiber’s music. Oh, and he’s very tall. Read more about him.
1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? My favorite movie would probably be “Where the Wild Things Are”, my favorite book could possibly be “Ender's Game”, and my favorite band would be Brand New or mewithoutYou.
2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I've been involved with freshman bible study and am going to the Dominican Republic during spring break. Oh, and praise band a little bit.
3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Well, I've only been here for like 3 months-ish, but I'd say that it's helped me make friends and given me a sense of fellowship in a rather secular environment. I like it.
With a New Year comes new leadership, like Cody. And with each new leadership team, comes a new leadership team dynamic. Each has its own strengths and flaws, but each is centered in Christ. Three and a half years have gone by since my first meeting with Cornerstone leadership. It is amazing how each year the leadership team seems to build more and more momentum. It is my prayer that one day this momentum builds so much that Pitt would be known as a secular college with a Christian population. A large prayer, but nothing is too large for God. I pray that one day I see those prayers answered. Cornerstone is indeed a special Christian community, and God has richly blessed those involved with it, as he will continue to do so.
Cornerstone is more than just students, but all of those who are involved in it. That can also include you. By supporting me in both prayer and
finances, you (with God’s grace) have made it possible for me too fully minister to Pitt students. As you can see, we are now at $2,600 per month, or 89% of where we need to be. The past few months, we had some huge one time donations that will help us make it through the next couple of months. This has been great, but we could still use your help. I am asking that my current supporters give an extra 10% on top of their usual giving. With this money we can be at full monthly support again, possibly obtain a raise, and I will have more time to minister to students. We are always looking for new supporters that help make this ministry possible. If God leads you to do so, we would love for you to be a part of Cornerstone through your financial gifts and your prayer. Remember that any gift is a good gift. In the past few months, we have truly witnessed God’s provision. We thank you, and may God bless you richly because you have given to advance His kingdom! Please be in prayer that God will continue to build our support team and that we would be faithful in doing our part.
Moore News
The Holidays are always a busy time in the Moore household. It is busy not just because of the fact that we celebrate the birth of our Lord, and the birth of a new year, but for the fact that Emily’s and my birthday fall right next to those Holidays (mine is December 28th, and Emily’s is January 2nd). We’ve made this week long celebration into a festival that we’ve appropriately titled, “Moore-ivus.” Ok, so the term festival is to be used very loosely.
As always, it is great to see the kids open presents on Christmas morning. We bought the boys a miniature kitchen set (Benjamin says that he wants to be a chef when he grows-up), which they continue to enjoy. The box that the kitchen came in said that there were only “nineteen easy steps” to assemble the toy. What they didn’t say was that each “step” has sub-steps. So, there were actually about forty plus steps to assemble the kitchen. It took three hours to assemble it, but it was worth it!
The following day, my parents came in to visit and we had our second Christmas. It was a great time of visiting. They stayed until my birthday, in which we went out to Quaker Steak and Lube and had “all-you-can-eat” wings…followed by watching a horrendous WVU loss to NC State.
The next day we went to my sister’s house in Akron, Ohio to celebrate our third Christmas. It is always a treat to see my sister Bekie, borther-in-law Andy, and nephews Ethan, Micah, Noah, and Caleb. It is especially fun to watch all seven boys play.
In other non-holiday related news, Asher has officially started to walk! Granted it is not his main mode of transportation, but he has taken up to approximately ten steps thus far, looking more and more like Ray Charles in his movements.
Overall, it was a fantastic holiday season with plenty of family, friends, and love united in Christ. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us both financially and in prayer this past year and for sticking with us in good times and bad. Thank you and God Bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
“Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.” –Matthew 5:37
It is the new year; a time where a vow is easily made, and just as easily broken. Nowadays we don’t even think twice about breaking our new years vow, instead measuring our time of success at keeping up with it.
In biblical times, a vow was a sacred agreement made between God and man. It was always kept, and if broken there would be severe consequences. You do not break a vow with God.
In a day where divorce, perjury, and lying are at an all time high, the concept of a vow being unbreakable is somewhat foreign to us. What we are really doing on New Years are making wishes, and not vows.
So this New Year, instead of making a breakable wish, make a vow to help others as Christ would. Make a vow to strengthen your relationship with God. Make a vow that will have a lasting effect (for good) on those around you…and above all, do not take that vow lightly.
Why We Do What We Do
Meet Cody Latimer. Cody is a freshman Psychology and Economics major here at Pitt. Known as the “hipster” of Cornerstone, Cody has a unique and likeable personality that makes him a Cornerstone standout. He is known for his sense of humor and his unique love for Justin Beiber’s music. Oh, and he’s very tall. Read more about him.
1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? My favorite movie would probably be “Where the Wild Things Are”, my favorite book could possibly be “Ender's Game”, and my favorite band would be Brand New or mewithoutYou.
2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I've been involved with freshman bible study and am going to the Dominican Republic during spring break. Oh, and praise band a little bit.
3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Well, I've only been here for like 3 months-ish, but I'd say that it's helped me make friends and given me a sense of fellowship in a rather secular environment. I like it.
With a New Year comes new leadership, like Cody. And with each new leadership team, comes a new leadership team dynamic. Each has its own strengths and flaws, but each is centered in Christ. Three and a half years have gone by since my first meeting with Cornerstone leadership. It is amazing how each year the leadership team seems to build more and more momentum. It is my prayer that one day this momentum builds so much that Pitt would be known as a secular college with a Christian population. A large prayer, but nothing is too large for God. I pray that one day I see those prayers answered. Cornerstone is indeed a special Christian community, and God has richly blessed those involved with it, as he will continue to do so.
Cornerstone is more than just students, but all of those who are involved in it. That can also include you. By supporting me in both prayer and
finances, you (with God’s grace) have made it possible for me too fully minister to Pitt students. As you can see, we are now at $2,600 per month, or 89% of where we need to be. The past few months, we had some huge one time donations that will help us make it through the next couple of months. This has been great, but we could still use your help. I am asking that my current supporters give an extra 10% on top of their usual giving. With this money we can be at full monthly support again, possibly obtain a raise, and I will have more time to minister to students. We are always looking for new supporters that help make this ministry possible. If God leads you to do so, we would love for you to be a part of Cornerstone through your financial gifts and your prayer. Remember that any gift is a good gift. In the past few months, we have truly witnessed God’s provision. We thank you, and may God bless you richly because you have given to advance His kingdom! Please be in prayer that God will continue to build our support team and that we would be faithful in doing our part.
Moore News
The Holidays are always a busy time in the Moore household. It is busy not just because of the fact that we celebrate the birth of our Lord, and the birth of a new year, but for the fact that Emily’s and my birthday fall right next to those Holidays (mine is December 28th, and Emily’s is January 2nd). We’ve made this week long celebration into a festival that we’ve appropriately titled, “Moore-ivus.” Ok, so the term festival is to be used very loosely.
As always, it is great to see the kids open presents on Christmas morning. We bought the boys a miniature kitchen set (Benjamin says that he wants to be a chef when he grows-up), which they continue to enjoy. The box that the kitchen came in said that there were only “nineteen easy steps” to assemble the toy. What they didn’t say was that each “step” has sub-steps. So, there were actually about forty plus steps to assemble the kitchen. It took three hours to assemble it, but it was worth it!
The following day, my parents came in to visit and we had our second Christmas. It was a great time of visiting. They stayed until my birthday, in which we went out to Quaker Steak and Lube and had “all-you-can-eat” wings…followed by watching a horrendous WVU loss to NC State.
The next day we went to my sister’s house in Akron, Ohio to celebrate our third Christmas. It is always a treat to see my sister Bekie, borther-in-law Andy, and nephews Ethan, Micah, Noah, and Caleb. It is especially fun to watch all seven boys play.
In other non-holiday related news, Asher has officially started to walk! Granted it is not his main mode of transportation, but he has taken up to approximately ten steps thus far, looking more and more like Ray Charles in his movements.
Overall, it was a fantastic holiday season with plenty of family, friends, and love united in Christ. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us both financially and in prayer this past year and for sticking with us in good times and bad. Thank you and God Bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
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