Cornerstone and COVID-19
I was standing in the hot Fort Lauderdale sun at a Habitat for Humanity work site when I got the text from a friend, “It looks like Pitt is going to be shutting its doors.” Because of this “inside information,” I had the chance to prepare the 34 Pitt students that I was with. When the official announcement came, the tone was somber but expected. Even in the midst of their grief, many students could not focus on themselves. Many came up to me and asked, “What does this mean for you or Cornerstone?” It was because of their selflessness that I too had to ask myself the question they asked me, “What does this mean for me and Cornerstone?” Obviously I would still have a job, but Cornerstone would have to adapt and look drastically different.
Our world, within a matter of days, has been flipped upside down. Humans, who I believe are wired to be communal creatures, are now told to isolate. Businesses are being shut down, whether it be temporary or permanent, and cities and towns look vacant. People are dealing with the disease by either denying it, or by hoarding. These are strange times, for the world has changed. But our God, he does not change. As Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” A true solace we must rely on.
And now, a digital world has become our means to communicate. Cornerstone large group and small groups will now be held online. Instead of meeting people face to face, I will now meet them screen to screen. My blog will probably be updated a lot more, since I am now (mostly) working from home. I am now creating a weekly video series, called “Biblical Touchpoints” in order for students to become Biblically literate and theologically astute (link). The world has changed, and we must adapt. Yet, God’s truth will remain...even digitally. So stay safe, adapt, and rely on the Lord.
Cornerstone Student Testimony
Meet Mike Stolarz, and listen to how God has been ministering to him through Cornerstone.Cornerstone has had a major impact on my life over the past year. I began attending Cornerstone just over a year ago after being recommended that I attend by various members of my home church Hebron Presbyterian in Penn Hills. I had been raised going to church for the majority of my life, but, because of some struggles I went through in high school, I started coming less and less to the point where I stopped coming entirely (unless my parents forced me to go). By the time I started college in August of 2018, I wanted nothing to do with the church or God. I saw signs for Cornerstone around campus, but I wanted nothing to do with them. I thought they were lame, and if I wanted to be a cool college student I had to party and live recklessly; smoking weed and drinking instead of anything God related.
During this time, I was in a rock band with some friends from high school and I was in charge of the band's money. My drug use became so bad that I no longer could afford my habits. So, I began to dip into the band’s money, and by the end of 2018 it was all gone. I felt an intense shame at all times based on these actions, as I knew full well at the time that I had sinned greatly. But, I hid this sin and shame from everyone. In hiding this shame I went into a deeply depressed state where I felt trapped and with no way to get out. Eventually my band found out that I had stolen all of the money, and I became even more depressed. I had told my mom what I had done, and she prayed with me every day that week. By the end of the week, I had been kicked out of my band, lost the majority of my friends, but somehow miraculously was able to pay back all of the money that I owed. That Sunday I went to church with my family, and I felt extremely convicted of my sin but at the same time loved and forgiven by God and the members of my church. After the service some members came up to me and asked if I was at Pitt, and they recommended that I come to Cornerstone which they had attended and loved years ago. That night I gave my life to Christ, and that Wednesday I attended Cornerstone for the first time.
The first time I went to Cornerstone the theme for the month was “shame.” I found this to be a true sign from God, as it was exactly what I was dealing with at the time. That night we were asked to discuss with our tables any experience we had with shame, and I felt called by the spirit to share all of my testimony with people who were complete strangers at the time. That night the music also had a major impact on me, and I asked one of the worship leaders if they needed a drummer. It turns out that they had been praying for a more consistent drummer for that entire year! Soon after, I was able to attend the Jubilee Conference which was truly life changing and eye opening. Now, a year after this all took place, my life has completely changed all thanks to the grace and love of Christ. I am now part of Cornerstone’s worship team, playing drums and leading worship every week. I have been able to stay clean and sober from drugs for over a year now, and plan on staying sober long term. This would not be possible if it weren’t for my support system that God has provided in my friends and family. God has completely changed my life through Cornerstone, the leadership that Andy, Mark, and Bobbi have provided to me, and the love and encouragement I have received from all people in Cornerstone, through Christ.
Spring Break Testimony
Meet Ethan Pohlman, and listen to how God ministered to him through the Habitat for Humanity Spring Break trip.
My Cornerstone campus minister, Andy Moore, reached out to me in the fall semester one night after Cornerstone. He asked me if I wanted to go to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for spring break with Panther Habitat for Humanity. I was a little skeptical at first, but it wasn’t a lot of money and seemed like it could be fun. The catch was that he needed the commitment and money pretty much the next day. Somehow, he convinced me to go for it. God was working through him that night, because, while I didn’t know it then, this trip to Florida would end up being what I now consider the best week of my college experience so far.
The Saturday of the spring break trip I got into a van with Mike, a friend from Cornerstone and also the only other person I knew on the trip, and 5 strangers. Honestly, I was a little nervous. I had no idea what to expect, and I was trapped in a van with these people for the next two days. But I very quickly came to realize that I had nothing to worry about. We jammed to a ton of different genres of music, played ridiculous car games, and began to open up about our lives. That first car ride was very symbolic of this trip as a whole- God challenged me with obstacles, tasks, decisions, new people and new experiences, but He also gave me the tools to overcome everything that I was faced with, and in the end turned it all into a rewarding experience. The main focus of this trip was the workdays, where we built homes for low-income individuals. This presented a challenge, simply due to the nature of the work. Patience was key. Often the tasks that we were accomplishing seemed small and insignificant, but the fact is that each of us was a small part of achieving a greater goal. For me, the most rewarding point on the trip was after finishing laying the tarpaper on a roof. It had taken a day and a half to complete, and afterwards we were able to stand back and know that we accomplished something real that was going to help someone who needs it.
This spring break trip was full of accomplishments. God challenged me, either by placing me in an uncomfortable position, or surrounding me with unfamiliar people, or by presenting me with a physically demanding task. Yet out of that, he inspired friendships that will last a lifetime. He filled my heart with a love for service. He opened my eyes to a great organization made up of caring people. He inspired conversations about Him. I had the blessing many times on this trip to share with others my involvement in the church, and what my faith means to me. God was at work in my life this trip, and was working through me to help others, starting with that seemingly impulsive decision to say “yes” to going on this trip.
Donating to Our Ministry
Because of this pandemic, we realize that finances are tight for many of you, but we could use your help now more than ever. If God leads you to donate, we ask that you click the following link:
https://secure-q.net/Donations/CCO/15954
Because of this pandemic, we realize that finances are tight for many of you, but we could use your help now more than ever. If God leads you to donate, we ask that you click the following link:
https://secure-q.net/Donations/CCO/15954
Thank you, stay safe, and God Bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
In Christ,
Andy Moore
