June Newsletter: Support Raising Edition

Gifts For God

“So that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, and said to Moses, ‘The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.’”-Exodus 36:4-5

The Israelites had constructed many buildings, but they had never built anything quite like this. Their other buildings were all over Egypt, but this one was out of the wilderness. The others were built on the backs of slaves; this one was made with free hands. The others were made of rock and stone; this one was made with their own treasures. The others were made for the glory of Pharaoh; this one was for the glory of God. What was this remarkable building? It was the tabernacle –the house that Israel built as the dwelling place for God.

The tabernacle was no ordinary building. Indeed, there was nothing like it in the world. It was designed by God himself and built to tell the story of salvation. Its layout and furnishings showed how sinful people could approach a holy God by offering an atoning sacrifice. This was all in preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. In becoming man, Jesus became the true tabernacle –the dwelling place of God. And through his death on the cross, Jesus made the atoning sacrifice for our sins, bringing us into a relationship with God that will last forever.

It is no wonder that when Moses called for an offering from the Israelites they were so excited to give! Not only did they give, but they gave so much that it started to become a problem! A good problem to have, but it was still a problem. Remember that these donations were entirely voluntary. There was no tax for the tabernacle. Moses did not even give the people a hard sell. He simply asked for whatever they could give. This is not an approach that many fund-raisers would recommend!

This authentic example of generosity shows what happens when people who are saved by grace start giving from the heart. We are so grateful for what God has done that we want to keep giving. The story of the tabernacle shows that grace is the best motivation for giving. Rather than giving out of a sense of duty – God invites us to give with joyful, grateful hearts. Out of our gratitude for what he has done to save us from our sins, he invites us to make freewill offerings to advance the gospel.

What has God given us? Everything! Right down to the last precious drop of the Savior’s blood. What can we give him in return? What the Israelites gave was more than enough. But that will never be true for us. How could we out-give a God who laid down his life for us by dying on the cross? The most we can offer is to give our lives back to him, using our spiritual and financial gifts to build his church.

You have one life to give to God – only one. It’s not enough, but it’s all you have, and God is asking you to give it to him as a beautiful gift. And when you do, you will find that it is not so hard for you to give him your money as well.

The Case for Support Raising


With most of the students gone for the summer, I am taking the opportunity to raise extra funds. It is easy to avoid the mundane, things that seem to weigh you down, or things you do not like. Support Raising would have to be on this list for me. Not that I think that it isn’t important, but it takes a lot of time and effort.

However, I know that support raising is another avenue to glorify God. It is not merely about raising money to pay bills, and to keep afloat, but a way to sustain the Cornerstone ministry. Support raising truly allows me to do what I do. It has allowed me to be here at Pitt, and to teach students about the good news of Jesus Christ.

Support raising is also a way for people to be a part of a Cornerstone ministry. I often make the comparison that support raising is like owning stock. When you own stock, you become a part owner of that company. Similarly when you aid someone in ministry, you have invested in their ministry by letting them do what they do. In a sense, you are funding their ministry. So, you all are allowing me to do what I do.

It is so easy to become bogged down by the labor of fundraising that you forget about why you are doing it: for the glory of God!

Because of an increase in health insurance and ministry expenses, we now have to raise an additional $300 a month. As you can see from the chart, our support has risen from $2,600 to $2,900. We are currently at 89% of where we need to be. Being at full support has been possible because of all of you, because of your willingness to be part of this ministry and glorify God. Now you can make it possible again. I am asking that my current supporters give an extra 10% on top of their usual giving. This could help me easily raise the extra expenses. With this money, I will have more time to minister to students like “Smitty” (see bellow section “Why We Do What We Do”). 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 this ministry through gift and/or prayer. 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.

Why We Do What We Do


Meet Sean “Smitty” Smith. Sean is a senior majoring in biology and the University of Pittsburgh. He is currently trying to get an accelerated BSN to be a nurse. He enjoys music, camping, hiking, racquetball, Ultimate Frisbee, and playing drums. We hope you get to know a little more about him:

1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? Favorite movie: Gladiator. Favorite book: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series. Favorite music: Anything from jazz to techno.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I am currently one of the prayer leaders in Cornerstone, organizing All Night Prayer and prayer walks every Friday. I have played congas for the worship team and have been an avid attender of Bible studies and other Cornerstone events.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? In my past three semesters going to Cornerstone has impacted me in crucial ways. Certain talks by staff members about pain, suffering, and forgiveness, have been pertinent to overcoming difficult struggles that life has thrown at me. Without the guiding words of staff members and close friends that I have met through Cornerstone I feel my relationship with the Lord would have been destroyed during my times of losing a loved one. The Dominican Republic Trip was another crucial leap in my faith just showing me the true power of the Holy Spirit working through myself and others around me. The spring break trip showed me true team building skills and the true wonder God! Being invited into someone's home, sharing the love and compassion of Christ, and having him accept Christ into his life.

Moore News


Two days before our trip to Colorado, I got in a minor fender bender. I accidently (I guess that’s why they’re called accidents) rear-ended a guy. I was the only one in the car, and am safe. Luckily the check our insurance wrote us covered everything, as we got a new bumper whole sale and attached it ourselves in Colorado. The insurance even threw in some extra money so we could buy a new Steelers license plate!

We had the opportunity to go and see Emily’s family in Colorado for a little less than two weeks. We had a wonderful time, despite Benjamin developing Bronchitis, and traveling through a severe storm. Ben, Josh, and Asher thoroughly enjoyed Colorado farm life. Especially playing with Granny and Grandpa. We got to enjoy a train ride at the Georgetown loop, hang up a tire swing for the boys, and watch as Ben and Josh “drove” the tractor. Asher really started scooting out there as well. He is deceivingly fast (and curious), so we have to make sure that we are watching him at all times…especially his belly times. Thank you for your prayers as we spent two days driving out and two days driving back. We sure needed them as we hit that huge storm on the way out. The boys handled the trip wonderfully, and we are safe at home again getting back into the swing of things.

Please be in continued prayer for the ministry and church here in Pittsburgh as well as our finances. Thanks and God Bless!

Also, check out our new facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=131453700205205) and our blog (http://thepittstop220.blogspot.com).

In Christ,
Andy Moore