August Financial Update

To Donate to my NEW campaign: https://ccojubilee.org/campaign/4398/Moore-Campaign

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

Andy: Hey everybody, Andy here. I just wanted to take a moment to be vulnerable and say that we need your help financially. This past year has been one financially of ebbs and flows, goods and bads. Recently, it's kind of been one of those "when it rains, it pours" situations. We've had some supporters who can no longer give, understandably. We've had some hiccups financially, we've had some automotive trouble, and of course, we've had some medical expenses as well recently. So, I am just asking for your help financially. That's why we actually started the campaign, because we started to dip a little too low. I'm so grateful for you all—for your support, for your love. It's because of your support that I'm able to do what I do. I can go out on campus and spread the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.

But it's one thing for me to say what I do, and it's another thing to hear a testimony from one of my students about what I do.

John: Hi everyone, just wanted to take a second to talk to you all about some of the impact that Andy has had on me during my time at Cornerstone and at Pitt. I first met Andy Moore my freshman year of college, and he was quick to get me involved in his discipleship group with two other students. We've been meeting consistently for three years now, and Andy has served as a close friend and mentor to me and these other two students.

During this discipleship group, it's a time to decompress about our weeks, play some board games—which I'm sure you all know Andy is very fond of—and just talk about our spiritual lives and well-being, and get more into the Word with his guidance. Through Andy, I've been able to grow so much in my faith, and the support that you guys give him is directly responsible for the growth and ministry that he provides to myself and every other student at Cornerstone. He has done so much for this community for so long, and myself and every other student appreciates and thanks you for any support you give him, whether that be financial, through prayers, or by spreading his newsletter. He has done so much for this community, and it would just mean so much to me if we were able to support him back. Thank you.

Andy: Thank you to John for doing that. Now, I don't want you to hear John's words as a puff piece. I'm actually very humbled by what I do. The only reason I can do what I do is because the Lord allows me to do it and has gifted me to do it. Another reason I can do what I do is because of you all supporting me financially. So if you are interested in giving and helping in this time of need, I ask that you can click on one of the two links below. We have the campaign and our usual way of giving. Thank you all for listening, and God bless.

To Donate to my NEW campaign: https://ccojubilee.org/campaign/4398/Moore-Campaign

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

 

January 2014 Newsletter

Receive Reconciliation
“In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” -2 Corinthians 5:19-20

Reconciliation is not something we do, but is something that God has accomplished. The ministry of reconciliation is not telling people to make peace with God, but telling them that God has made peace with the world. The Gospel is not good advice, but good news.

We are not called to make peace with God – that is God’s work. The method of reconciliation is reckoning, for there is reckoning of sins. They are, however, reckoned not to the sinner but to Christ. On the cross Christ took our sins and did not count our sins against us.

“Be reconciled to God.” We must not miss the importance of this passionate plea which is not that we are reconciling ourselves to God, but that God reconciles us. Receive God’s offering of reconciliation, and because of this we will receive his offer of peace and salvation. The atoning substitutionary death of Christ brings reconciliation with God. This promise of peace was made long ago by the prophet Isaiah: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

The Gospel is not ‘reconcile yourselves’, but ‘be reconciled by God’. Receive reconciliation from God.

-R. Kent Hughes, 2 Corinthians: Power in Weakness

Cornerstone and Bellfield Update
With a new year, there comes new leadership. This year Cornerstone will be having its largest leadership team. The thought of supervising this many people can seem daunting, but I believe that we have a great crop of students this year. Again, I will be in charge of Outreach, supervising the team and trying to figure out new ways to stop spending as much time at Bellefield, and getting out on Pitt’s campus.

One outreach method that we used is that we go out on campus, in front of the student union, and give out hot tea. We call it SereniTea. Here we have a pretty extensive menu that we go over with the students, featuring teas with rather odd names (i.e. Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration) that often lead to questions and spiritual talks. From here, we brew the tea which usually takes a few minutes and gives us the opportunity to chat with the student about anything and everything, and in turn form a relationship with them. When we first started doing the tea, we had to throw it together very quickly and thought it would be disastrous. “No one will show up except two or three Cornerstone students,” I thought to myself. To my amazement we had quite the crowd and even a line of students waiting to get tea. God quickly reminded me that He will show up when he pleases…even in my doubt. SereniTea has been a success not just because of the students running it, but because God shows up. It has been a wonderful experience.

Meet the Students

Meet Derrick Kreider, a sophomore at Pitt who is majoring in Anthropology and Psychology with a German certificate in a linguistics minor. Derrick has been involved with Cornerstone from the very beginning of his college career, and is known for his happy disposition. Read more about him:

1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? Favorites are tough for me...but um...movie: I was both shocked and enthralled by I Am Legend. Book: I found The Road to be intriguing when I had to read it in high school. Band/Music: I'm not terribly picky with music. I won't mind listening to pretty much anything. When I listen to the radio I often have it tuned to K-Love (or another Christian music station). On Spotify I find myself listening to bands like Gungor, Tenth Avenue North, Parachute, or ones similar (I often use the radio function so it cycles through similar artists).

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I've been involved in Cornerstone since my very first day on Pitt's campus. I came to most of the orientation week events and I've been consistently attending Wednesday night fellowship ever since. This past calendar year I was part of the Freshmen Ministry Team, so we (a team of sophomores) led the freshmen Bible study for the first semester, and for this coming year I am the advisor for the new Freshmen Ministry Team.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Cornerstone has provided a home for me. Like I said, I've been involved in Cornerstone since I got to Pitt. I've dabbled in a few of the other campus ministries, especially during my first semester, but it was in Cornerstone where I was able to develop solid friendships and where I felt most challenged and encouraged to pursue Christ. I am encouraged by the staff who consistently seek God and pour into the students of Cornerstone, and the friends I've made in addition to the staff have been very helpful in supporting my walk with Christ. In times of doubt or stubbornness or feeling attacked, they've been there to pray for me, encourage me, and point me back toward God. They've challenged and developed my understanding of who God is and what it means to be a Christian.

Financial Update

This past month was quite a good month for us. It is a reminder of God’s provision. He always has and always will provide, and He has taught us that many times over. We are very thankful for the support given to us as well as our wonderful supporters! If you are interested in supporting this ministry, I would love to meet with you. Please contact me using the information on the front of this newsletter or email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org.

Moore News

Christmas was wonderful for the Moore household. We were given the gift to go on a vacation of our choosing over Christmas, and decided to go to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina which is very familiar to Emily and me. This was the first vacation we have taken without extended family. We spent the week relaxing, and having a great time with our little family visiting various places such as the beach and Savannah, GA. Overall, it is exactly what we needed to end such a difficult year.

Our house is now filled with a variety of Star Wars action figures, various Ninja Turtles toys, Lego, and Nerf guns. There is a whole host of things that the kids have gotten into, which always keeps the house fun and Emily and me on our toes. It is also really fun that the boys are getting into a lot of things that I loved when I was their age (Star Wars, Ninja Turtles, baseball, etc.). It gives us a lot of common interests.

Emily does a great job wrangling three (sometimes four) boys. She continues to spend her spare time reading anything she can get a hold of, watching Downton Abbey or Sherlock, experimenting in baking or cooking, or being actively involved in Bellefield’s Women’s Ministry. In other words: she stays busy.

We thank each and every one of you who reads this letter and has supported us in thought, prayer, or financially. May God Bless you!

In Christ
Andy Moore

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

Fall Newsletter

Recasting an Old Vision
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” –Jeremiah 29:11

I believe that this passage, Jeremiah 29:11, is one of the most misused verses in the Bible. Though beautiful, it is often taken out of context. We have a tendency to skip over verse ten and go straight for eleven. Verse ten states, “For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.” What is actually stated here is that the Israelites are going to have to go through immense suffering and trial before they reach that “future and hope.” It kind of reflects on the summary of the story of Joseph in Genesis 50:20, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Or the famous Romans 8:28 passage, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” In other words, to quote the band Switchfoot, the shadow proves the sunshine.

In my last newsletter, I told everyone what a difficult semester it had been. In fact, it was so stressful for me that I thought God may be leading me elsewhere. I took the summer to reenergize and reinvigorate myself, and then refocus on work. What is it that I wanted to see happen in Cornerstone? What did I want my job to look like? Are my passions that once were, still my passions? I took that summer to completely reevaluate myself, and came up with the conclusion that I had strayed away from what I am good at: evangelism. I knew I needed to get back there. I’m sure that I have mentioned this before, but I am a very relational person. In fact out of the three Cornerstone staff members, I am the most extraverted. Basically, I need relationships. With this in mind, I devised a plan: meet as many students on campus as possible. I just don’t want to meet students though, I want to know them. I want to form a relationship with them. I want to hear their story. I want to befriend them. And from there, Lord willing, I want to tell them about Christ.

So far, I would say that this recasting of an old vision has been successful. It was my goal to meet three new students a week, which would mean that I have met about 35ish students thus far…if I had just met three students a week. The Lord has done great things, and I believe that I am close to the hundred mark with how many students I have met. Wow! Even typing this, I am stunned at how God works. Not only has he blessed me with meeting students, but he has provided ways that I couldn’t have thought of to meet students. I just had to go through a little rough patch to get here. Please be in prayer for me as I continue to meet and form relationships with students.

Why We Do What We Do

Meet Laura Tileston, a freshmen nursing major here at Pitt. Laura has been involved in a variety of ways in Cornerstone, and has really found a home here. Read more about her:

1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? My favorite movies are probably A Walk to Remember and Dirty Dancing. Besides the Bible (which of course is the best book of all time!) I can get lost in any novel by Jodi Picoult, such as Change of Heart, as well as the book Kisses from Katie, the story of a girl who left her comfortable life in Nashville to teach children in Uganda right after she graduated high school, and ended up adopting something like 13 girls and starting a ministry there; so inspiring! Music is especially hard because I love pretty much all styles of music, but I’ll say Mumford and Sons have me hooked right now. However, you can never go wrong with Relient K, Gungor, or Something Corporate!

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I’m a freshman so I haven’t done terribly much with Cornerstone as of yet, but I’ve joined a D-Group (Discipleship Group) with two awesome girls and sing with the Worship Team every few weeks on Wednesday nights. I also went on the Fall Retreat, which was an absolute blast and a great way to meet more people!

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your year at Pitt? I’ve only been at Pitt for a little over 2 months, but Cornerstone has been a great place to make friends and build solid relationships with new people here in Pittsburgh, as well as introduce others to Jesus through such a college-friendly ministry. Most importantly, it’s a wonderful outlet during the middle of the week to come together to worship and learn about God!

Meeting and getting to know students is what gives me energy. It is my bread and butter, and helps me even through the rough times. God has truly blessed me this semester, and I am grateful. I am also grateful for your donations and support which have helped me accomplish these goals of meeting students like Laura. Honestly, it is God working through my supporters that makes this all possible. Your support, in turn, makes you a part of this ministry. If God leads you to do so, we would love for you to join 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.

Moore News

So, where to begin…A lot has happened since my last Newsletter. First, Benjamin has started kindergarten at Fulton Academy a few blocks away from us. Fulton is a magnet school with an emphasis on French. We have always known that Ben was very intelligent, but wondered how he would handle a classroom setting. After some initial struggles of boredom and not meeting people, Ben has really found his niche and is excelling. He has won both the “Wildcat Award” for the best behaved student and the “Student of the Month.” During the parent teach conference, the teacher was amazed at how smart and advanced Ben is. God has certainly gifted Ben with intelligence and a thirst for knowledge. We were a little worried when Ben told us in the first week that he hadn’t met anyone, but that soon changed. God has a gifted Benjamin with a personality that other kids seem to gravitate towards. He seems to really be excelling in school.

Joshua in the meantime has had to learn to adjust to life at home without a big brother during the day. Luckily, he still has Asher to play with. We’ll have to see how Asher adjusts when Joshua goes to school next year. Joshua still loves his sports, and can tell you anything about them, and Asher still loves Pixar’s Cars. Together, Joshua and Asher are fun to watch. Joshua is extremely protective of Asher, and Asher usually shoves away Josh’s protectiveness.

Emily continues to thrive with watching the boys and maintaining our home. She is my constant support for when times get rough and great accountability for when I am not thinking clearly. If it weren’t for God working through her, I would have been in a much bigger mess.

I hope that all is well with you, and that God is blessing you richly. As Paul says in the beginning of Phillipians, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

In Christ,
Andy Moore

January & February Newsletter

Embracing Change
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9

Change can be a hard pill to swallow. Giving up what you know, and what is comfortable in exchange for uncertainty is never easy. In a few months, senior students will experience the change of graduation to joining the working force. A few months ago, high school students became freshman, therefore experiencing change. It is the fear of facing an uncertain, cloudy future that makes change so hard to deal with. Change is inevitable. There is no dodging or avoiding it: Change happens. It’s just how we deal with change that matters.

I have found that it is easier to face change when someone is with you to experience the change as well. When I moved from Morgantown, WV to Pittsburgh, it was easier because I had Emily with me. How much easier is it then to have the God of the Universe, which dwells within us, when we face change? What an amazing thought that is.

So remember that when uncertainty arrives, you have the ultimate comforter, the very one who made comfort, with you. Though I still have my anxieties, knowing God is there helps put my mind at ease.

My Third Trip to the Dominican Republic
If you remember from one of last year’s newsletters, I defined my first trip to the Dominican Republic as “The largest spiritual renewal in my life, other than my conversion to Christianity.” This year I have the pleasure of taking 10 students back to the place were I found a love for those who are less fortunate and learned how deep Christ’s love and joy goes. This will be another great opportunity to see how God is working in the Dominican Republic. I can’t wait to go back! Please pray for the following students going on the trip: Nicole Arthur, Danny Churchill, Andrew Dekkinga, Danielle Englert, Dillon Hoffman, Cody Latimer, Jessica Martin, Jason Retucci, Megan Schug, and Connor Smith.

Why We Do What We Do

Meet Jason Retucci. Jason is a sophomore history major at Pitt, who started becoming involved in Cornerstone this year due to his roommate Cody Latimer. Jason recently came to know Christ as his savior and has been involved in a Discipleship group with Cody and me. He has a uniquely weird (in a good way) and funny personality, as you can see from the following questions. Read and enjoy!

1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? I like the movie The Blues Brothers because I am the Blues Brothers…Both of them. I like the book East of Eden by John Steinbeck and am also a big fan of Raymond Carver's short stories. My favorite band is probably Rush.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I attend Cornerstone and am involved in a D-Group with Andy Moore and Cody Latimer. We kick it in Market Central and discuss our readings (Wayne Grudem’s Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know) for the week. Over Spring Break, I plan to attend a trip to the Dominican Republic.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Cornerstone, as well as D-Group, has given me the opportunity to have some good old fashion Christian fellowship, which is important to me. Inserting these little breaks from a secular university into my life has helped me to grow stronger as a Christian.

You may have seen from the chart that our monthly giving remained at $3200, 91% of where we need to be. It is because of all of you that I am here and will get to where I need to be., I have been raising this support so I can minister to students like Jason, and see how God has worked in his life during his years at Pitt. Working with College students, and seeing God transform them, is a true blessing and I thank God every day for this opportunity. If you would like to help this ministry, we are always looking for new supporters. This is what makes 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. 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

Christmas was a wonderful time with the family. Like the past few years, we spent Christmas in Pittsburgh. My favorite part of the day was lighting the Advent Candle at church with the family. Benjamin shined as he got to read the passage in from of the congregation. It was an absolutely incredible experience.

Emily and I soon celebrated our birthdays after Christmas (mine on December 28th and hers on January 2nd). I turned the dreaded (duh duh duh) 30, but did not really stress about it. I started feeling older when I started having kids (age 24), so 30 was nothing to me. Hopefully we can say the same for Emily next year!

I hope all is going well with you all and that the Lord is blessing you richly in the new year!

In Christ,
Andy Moore

Christmas Newsletter

Please click on the picture below to read my Christmas Newsletter: