“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” –Galatians 5:1
If there was ever a “pep-talk” book to get College ministers fired up, it would have to be God on Campus by Trent Sheppard. I have been reading the book, along with the college staff and student leaders, before school begins. The book recounts various spiritual “big wigs” and how their ministry all got started on a college campus. These “big wigs” include: Henry Dunster, John and Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, Samuel Mills, Jeremiah Lanipher, Robert Wilder, D.L. Moody, John Mott, and many more.
The book reminds us that there was a time when Harvard was considered a holy place and Princeton trained prophets, when students and professors could not help but pray because there were certain questions that could only be answered by an Intellect greater than our own. It shows that there was a time when student leaders provoked campus movements, when young radicals defied the status quo of their generation and engaged and reshaped their society to transform culture.
As always, we are always looking to improve Cornerstone, but our goal remains the same: to show students that Christ has set them free so that they may go and do likewise. Or as the CCO motto puts it, “Transform Students to Transform the World.” I truly believe that if you want to change the world, a great place to start is the college campus. And like so many of our famous predecessors did before our time, Bobbi, Chris, and I (along with our interns Ben and Amanda) plan to do likewise.
Preparing for Students
Rarely do I say that a summer has flown by, but truly this one has. Maybe it has gone by fast because a large portion is missing from my memory due to the concussion…maybe not. Whatever the reason may be, it has been a short and interesting summer. In the blink of an eye, I now find myself taking an extra step in preparing for the new school year; often wondering what type of students I will come in contact with or will join the Cornerstone ministry.
This year, I want to focus on my strengths. I am an extravert, and love meeting people and making new friends. So this year, I will mainly focus on doing just that by spending a majority of my time on campus. In fact, all of the staff has decided to focus on their strengths this year. It will be another exciting school year.
Pretty soon, we will be having our leadership retreat and our welcome back activities. Please be in prayer for the incoming freshmen and the staff as we take on more work.
Why We Do What We Do
Meet our new Intern Amanda Adametz. Amanda graduated this past year with a degree in mathematics. During her years at Pitt, Amanda tutored student athletes and was involved on our leadership team. Read more about her:
1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? Favorite Movie - The Little Rascals, Book - The Count of Monte Cristo, Music - I'll listen to almost anything, but I've been on a country kick lately.
2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? During my sophomore year, I was a Freshmen Ministry Team Leader; and then I transitioned into the Tech Team, maintaining the Cornerstone website and running slides on Wednesday nights. I took a short hiatus from the Leadership Team my senior year, but still attended Wednesday nights and participated in Bible Studies. Currently, I'm starting my year as a full-time Cornerstone Intern.
3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Cornerstone almost immediately provided a Christian community for me when I came to Pittsburgh as a freshman in the fall of 2007. My closest friends are men and women that I met through my involvement with the group, and they're individuals who have influenced my life immensely. Cornerstone pushed me to take ownership of my Christian faith while away from the comfort and protection of the family and home environment in which I grew up. Cornerstone and its philosophies helped me to realize that God can redeem every academic discipline because He created them, and that we can glorify God in studying anything from poetry to mathematics.
You may have from the chart that our desired goal has changed from $3,200 to $3,500. The reason that this has increased is because of another raise that I have received. It is because of all of you, I have been raising this support so I can minister to students like Amanda, and see how God has worked in his life after graduation. Working with College students, and seeing God transform them, is a true blessing. If you would like to help this ministry, we are always looking for new supporters. This is what makes ministry possible. Now that I have gotten a raise, this is more important than ever! If God leads you to do so, we would love for you to be a part of this ministry through gift and/or prayer. I am asking that my current supporters give an extra 10% on top of their usual giving. This will help to make up the difference from what I currently make and from my goal. We trust for you and for us that God will provide. He always has, and He always will. Remember that any gift is a good gift. 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
It has been quite the hectic month for us! Emily and I decided to get a puppy for the boys. After finding an ad for Chocolate Labs (Emily’s dream dog) in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, we decided to “pull the trigger” and get one. We soon bought a little girl pup in Grove City, PA, brought her home, and the boys named her Zucchini. She was very docile, but like any lab, she became super active and liked to chew on pretty much anything; toys, furniture, our feet, power chords, etc. After less then a week, Emily and I decided that this puppy was extremely high maintenance and cutting in majorly to our time with our kids. That is something we never wanted. So, after some prayer we decided to give away the dog to my parents. My dad’s dream dog has also been a chocolate lab, so the fit felt right. We have no doubt that we did the right thing by giving her to my parents.
Other than the puppy news, I have been preparing pretty heavily for the upcoming school year and Emily has been preparing for my sudden absence due to my preparation and work. It always takes the boys by surprise when daddy has been home for much of the time during the summer, and then is gone most of the time when the students come back. Please pray our family through this time. Being away from home is never an easy thing.
In Christ,
Andy Moore
