August Newsletter: Support Raising Edition

Jesus The Support Raiser
“Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.” –Luke 8:1-3

One of the things that delayed my entrance into ministry was support raising. It seemed like a difficult and tedious thing to do. I was afraid I would be looked on as a beggar, or as someone who doesn’t have a real job. Honestly, sometimes I still feel that way. Support raising can be difficult and tedious. And as far as the beggar thing…well, I don’t think that God has ever wanted me to live an extravagant lifestyle. Nor do I think that he has called me into one of poverty (though sometimes, again, I feel that way). He has, however, called me to be faithful to my vocation. Part of this vocation is support raising.

A ministry costs money. This simple truth is so obvious that it seems ridiculous to state, but I think this is often overlooked. Even Jesus’s ministry required money. He and His followers had physical needs which people met, and those supporters were (I’m sure) more than willing to do so. Those who support the costs of a ministry, participate as partners in that ministry. I believe that Luke is telling us that these women who walked with Jesus and who helped to finance his ministry were a vital part of his mission in which he proclaimed the good news of God’s kingdom. Jesus also put it this way:

“Anyone who received a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And if anyone gives a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward” -Matthew 10:41-42.

To support someone in their ministry is to share in the work and reward of their ministry. Supporting someone in their ministry does involve the mundane, however. I am sure that there was nothing very exciting or romantic about going to the market place and about buying food for Jesus and his disciples. Today, Christians are not eager to pay for rent, for the utility bills, or for stamps. All of these mundane matters are necessary. Buying them is supporting the ministry, no matter how mundane that may seem. One who is faithful in the little, or what seems mundane, will be faithful in much. Jesus’ words refer to ministry with money, and then ministry in other ways:

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” -Luke 16:10.

In the context of this passage it is clear that money is the “little thing” while other matters are the greater things. These women, who were faithful to follow Christ, and to meet the needs of the group, were faithful also at the foot of the cross and at the tomb of our Lord. Their faithfulness in money assured them of faithfulness in the greatest things that Christ accomplished. Faithfulness in the matter of money is critical, for it leads to faithfulness in greater things as well. Investing in the gospel ministry determined where the hearts of these women were, summed up in the verse “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” -Matthew 6:2.

Every time I read the passage of Luke 8:1-3, it humbles me. There were times were Jesus, like myself, had to rely on the charity of others. Every day I thank the Lord for what he has done in my life, where he has placed me, and who he has put in my path. I thank you all for letting me do what I do through your tithes, offerings, and goodwill. You are truly a blessing.

Why We Do What We Do

This segment of my Newsletter has usually been dedicated to a student’s testimony in which they talk about how God has used Cornerstone to change them. This time, I am doing something a bit different: I am going to talk about how God has used Cornerstone to change me. Believe it or not, I have been at this job for six years. A lot has happened during those six years, both good and bad. The job ebbs and flows as students come and go. Nothing has been constant…except God. During those hard times, the times of struggle, doubt, stress, financial struggle, and tension, God has remained. He is unwavering and faithful, even when I am not. These years have been one of growth for me, in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I thought that I would be doing the ministering, and all this time I have been ministered to. When I am in trouble, God is there and listens. When I doubt, God is there and listens. When I am having trouble with a student, God is there and listens. God is what keeps me going and is the one who helps me minister to college students. This is why I do what I do.

Through the past couple of months, Emily and I have gone through some financial struggles. We have lost some support, and our funds have decreased. We are very thankful for the support given to us, and ask for your help in this time. If God leads you to do so, we would love for you to join our ministry with financial support. We are always looking for new supporters. We could truly use your help. If you already support me, I am asking that you consider giving an extra 10% on top of your usual giving. With this money we can be at full monthly support again. Please pray diligently on this subject matter. God will provide, for he is there and listens. 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

If there were one word to summarize this summer with my family, it would be the word, “baseball.” Honestly, my kids have been baseball crazy. It has come to the point that when they are not playing a pickup game with the neighbors (in which they proceed to give me a “box score” after every game they play) or watching Pirate’s games, they are practicing their swing with anything they can get a hold of or practicing diving catches…usually in the house, which they get in trouble for. Joshua even tries to wear a different baseball jersey every day. Though slightly obsessed, both Ben and Josh have become pretty good ball players at such a young age and have a weird wealth of knowledge about the game (some of which I have imparted on them). Admittedly, some of their obsession was from my influence. It’s nice to have a common interest in my favorite sport and something that I was as passionate about as a kid. We’ll see what happens next year when we enroll them in Little League.

Emily, I am afraid, is severely outnumbered at times, but she has been a good sport about it. She lovingly listens to our baseball talk even when (I am sure) she doesn’t want to. She has been doing well lately after a really tough year, with the passing of her mother. Christ continues to work through her and in her even in the midst of tragedy. The grieving process can be slow, but also can strengthen one more than they could possibly know. I have seen this in Em. She continues to grow as a woman of God, and never ceases to amaze me.

Please be in prayer for our family, during the upcoming school year. God Bless!

In Christ
-Andy Moore