2023 June Newsletter

My Cornerstone Testimony - Part 1 - A Pub, Pints, and Prayer

Usually, this part of my Newsletter is dedicated to student Testimony. I decided this time to do something a little different. I wanted to share my testimony of how God is working within Cornerstone.

In 2018, I was visiting my best friends (Clay Fuller and Will Coulson) for a weekend in Morgantown, WV to watch the NFL draft together – something we’ve been doing together for almost 20 years. During those days, we drove around the town, visiting our old college haunts, and I started to get nostalgic. Morgantown is a very special place to me - a place marked with growth – a place where Jesus found me. I thought to myself, “It would be great to move back here. God would have to provide a way.”

A few days later, I kid you not, I got a phone call. It was from a pretty well-known church in Morgantown asking me to apply for the position of Director of College Ministry. Was this a sign from God? Afterall, I had just said “God would have to provide a way.” Seeing no harm in listening to what the church had to offer, and the appeal of moving back to West Virginia, I decided to apply. After a strenuous interview process, where they wined and dined me, I was offered the job. On paper, the job seemed pretty prestigious: it was a big-time job (for a pastor) at a big-time church, with an easy way to work my way up the pastoral ladder. The pay was about the same, but I wouldn’t have to raise half of my salary anymore. However, I turned down the job. There were a few reasons for turning down the job was 1. I wasn’t called to the job, I felt called to stay in Pittsburgh, continuing my job. I felt that I had unfinished business. I also didn’t want to leave behind an already established community. Now some of these reasons have left many puzzled. Couldn’t God use you in Morgantown? Well, yes. God can use anyone anywhere. But power, fame, and money aren’t reasons for leaving. My wife, Emily, felt the same way.

You see, I realized that I was deeply unsatisfied with job at Pitt. I was near burnout, and the once-joyful experience had lost its luster. It wasn't solely Morgantown that I desired; I craved change. It was evident that a significant shift was necessary. Instead of simply informing my coworkers via text, I opted for a more personal approach. Hence, we convened at our beloved local pub to share the news.

Over a pint or two, I informed them that I was staying, and they seemed happy and relieved with the decision. However, I didn't stop there. I felt the urge to express my deep concerns about the stagnant nature of our work. It seemed like we were trapped in a monotonous cycle, repeating the same motions endlessly. Let me clarify, there's value in following a familiar routine, but only when it's infused with passion and purpose for the Lord. Sadly, that was not the case for us at the moment. I felt a spiritual drought, and it was evident that our students were far from reaching their full potential, which was disheartening for all of us.

I was fairly emotional, and started to tear up – literal tears in my beer. Both of my coworkers looked at me, with complete empathy, and said that they felt the same. We collectively recognized the pressing need for change. However, we acknowledged that the power to initiate true transformation did not lie within us alone. Our students' renewal required a higher force—only God could orchestrate it. So, in that humble pub setting, we made a resolute decision to turn to prayer. Our heartfelt plea resonated, “God, we are asking for change. We are asking that you just show up!” And do you know what? God showed up! Just not in the way we were expecting…

Financial Update

To Donate:
https://ccojubilee.org/staff/amoore

I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and generosity throughout this incredible, continued journey. Thanks to your amazing help, we have experienced significant financial blessings over the past year. I am delighted to share that I have also been blessed with a raise, which allows me to continue pursuing my passion of reaching college students for Christ. As we strive to do this, I am reaching out today to ask for your assistance in raising $5600 each month to support our ongoing efforts. We are excited about the prospect of increasing monthly support, while recognizing that one-time donations are equally impactful. Additionally, I am seeking to replenish my Ministry Account with an extra $10,000. Please remember that any gift, regardless of its size, is immensely valuable and appreciated. On a side note, any contribution towards the goal of “$10,000” should be marked on the check or as a side note, as "Replenishment of MA" to ensure proper tracking. If interested in donating, you can click on the link above. Your incredible kindness fuels our mission, and together, we can make a lasting difference in college students’ lives. Thank you again for your unfailing support and unwavering belief in this ministry. Thanks, and God bless!

Moore News

To Donate:
https://ccojubilee.org/staff/amoore 

Haiti h2o Podcast, "Lessons of Hope":
https://open.spotify.com/show/1q1RZhmoykCbZSyOkUPnaq?si=c329788cb0c04fec

First and foremost, I want to apologize for the lack of updates recently. It's been a whirlwind of activity, but I am committed to sending out a monthly newsletter for the rest of the year to keep you all in the loop. Your support means the world to me, and I want to ensure that you stay connected and informed about the exciting happenings in our lives.

Now, let's dive into the biggest news of the past year - we've moved! Well, not too far, just 12 houses down from our previous address. We went from 1104 Portland St. to 1144 Portland St. It may seem like a small change, but the new house offers us so much more space, and we feel truly blessed to have it. Also, the dogs love it. If you're curious about how we came into possession of this wonderful home, it's actually a cool story. Feel free to reach out to me, and I'd be more than happy to share the details with you.

I would like to provide you all with an update on my seminary journey. As some of you may remember, I had initially planned to take a sabbatical. However, I am grateful to share that I was granted permission to extend my required campus life to two years instead of one. This wonderful opportunity has allowed me to balance taking classes and continuing my work simultaneously. With this adjusted timeline, I am on track to complete my degree in May 2024. Looking ahead, I hope to pursue ordination in the EPC (Evangelical Presbyterian Church) while also continuing my work with college students.

On the professional front, Emily, my incredible wife, is thriving as the communications director at Haiti h2o. She has recently been involved in producing, directing, and editing a podcast called "Lessons of Hope." If you're interested in getting a glimpse of her remarkable work and learning more about the inspiring mission of Haiti h2o, I invite you to click on the link above to listen. It's a fantastic opportunity to see firsthand the impact she's making and to gain insights into the incredible work happening at Haiti h2o.

Now, let's talk about our boys. Benjamin, who is now in 10th grade, and Joshua, who is in 9th grade, are both attending sci-tech, which happens to be conveniently located across the street from Bellefield. Benjamin is currently an active member of Boy Scouts, where he is dedicatedly working towards achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. As he prepares to enter the next phase of his life, Benjamin will soon be embarking on the exciting journey of exploring college options. Joshua had an eventful year, as he joined the football team, but unfortunately experienced a separated shoulder that limited his playing time as a Wide Receiver and Cornerback. Determined to contribute, he found a new way to shine on the field by volunteering as a punter and kicker, and he thrived in those positions. As for Asher, he continues to pursue his passion for visual arts at CAPA. He's really enjoying it, and is quite the artist. Although he does have one complaint - those flights of stairs he has to climb every day!

In closing, I hope this update finds you all in good health and high spirits. I sincerely pray that God's blessings continue to shower upon each and every one of you. Thank you for your unwavering support, and I look forward to sharing more exciting news with you in the coming months. Thanks, and God Bless!

In Christ,
Andy Moore