June 2019 Newsletter

Meet the Students

Meet Kalan Culver-McDonald, a (now) sophomore World History Major at Pitt. Kalan is currently one of our Freshmen Bible Study Leaders. Read more about him:

As it often is in all of our personal narratives, coming to Christ was never an instant transformation for me. It has been, and always will be, an unfolding story, inseparable from the endless twists and turns of my life, and for people faithful and otherwise, college is the twistiest of turns. However, for me, this always came with the question: How will leaving home, being on my own, affect my devotion and my lifestyle? Of course, I am overjoyed, but I never thought that the Church would become a part of my daily schedule at that point, or that I’d be trusted to lead a Bible study, certainly never thinking fellow students would be telling me that my efforts were guiding them to God! I never imagined any of this because I never imagined that I’d find a community like Cornerstone.

When I arrived at Pitt, religion was very important to me, but I struggled to live my faith and find ways to apply it actively. As I have told many of my friends, my Church community back home was almost nonexistent. So, I had never learned how to do more than read the Bible and pray. I was striving for God, but I wasn’t using my life to love Him. Going to Cornerstone every Wednesday night changed all of that, and I specifically remember knowing it at the fall retreat. This was the first time I had found a group who loved each other because they truly cared to and felt called to. Where else could I go where everybody just wants to talk about God in every aspect of their lives? It’s incredible! Simply put, it is the community of Cornerstone that finally taught me how to put my faith into action all over my life, from relationships to activities and classes.

After a full year of being involved with Cornerstone, I can’t even begin to reflect on my life without noticing the major changes. I no longer view prayer solely as an ‘Our Father’ or a reverent petition, but I see my whole life as prayer. I wake up to follow the day that God has planned for me. I go to my classes so I can prepare for the career God knows He can use me best in. I talk to people knowing I’m being called to show them Christ’s love. My conversations are to better understand the Lord, and any second in between is used to find new ways to spread the Gospel. Cornerstone gave me the opportunity and trust to become a leader and a servant together. Writing this, I feel like I’m rambling on and on, but what God has worked in my life through Cornerstone can’t be described concisely. It hasn’t been a series of discernible changes; my life has been repurposed gradually but completely. That’s what God can do in this community, and I can’t wait to see the tumultuous and probably crazy way in which God bends my life next.

Financial Update

Every day I praise God because of where he has put me, and who he has put me with. It is one thing to go to work to keep you and your family comfortable, but it is another thing to go to work and enjoy what you do. There is no better feeling in the world then to go to work, enjoy it, and in the process glorify God the work you just accomplished! The work that I do has only been accomplished because I have a base of people praying for me and supporting me financially. It is because of God working through you all, that I am able to minister to students like Kalan.

As you can see, we are now at $3,656 per month, or 80% of where we need to be. If you are wondering why the percentage is so low, it is because I received another raise of an extra $300 a month! Having full support for every paycheck for the past year has been great, but we could still use your help. I am asking that my current supporters give an extra 10% to 25% on top of their usual giving. With this money we will have more time to minister to students. 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 your financial gifts. Remember that any gift is a good gift. In the past few months, we have truly witnessed God’s provision. 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

This past month was one that was marked with various academic achievements and awards for our children. Benjamin, after just one year at his new school (Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy), won the 6th grade student of the year. Joshua was voted in as president of the Elementary Honor Society at Fulton Elementary School, and will me giving a commencement speech at his 5th grade “graduation.” Finally, Asher won student of the semester at the Pittsburgh Gifted Center. We have always preached to our boys that God has given us a mind for a reason: to obtain as much knowledge as possible in order to glorify him and to help others. We are so incredibly proud of our boys!

In worse news, Emily recently had to undergo vascular surgery. For years, her varicose veins have been causing her a great deal of pain. After getting them examined, it was determined that the blood was flowing incorrectly in them (causing the pain), and they needed to be removed. She underwent the surgery on May 30th, and has been slowly, but steadily, recovering. Emily has always been slow at recovering, and the thought of being idle does not sit well with her. Please be in prayer as she continues to recover. 

Thank you for your prayers, and your continued support.

In Christ,
Andy Moore

January 2016 Newsletter

Coming Home: An Invitation to Prayer
"True, whole prayer is nothing but love." -St. Augustine
God has graciously allowed me to catch a glimpse into his heart, and I want to share with you what I have seen. Today the heart of God is an open wound of love. He aches over our distance and preoccupation. He mourns that we do not draw near to him. He grieves that we have forgotten him. He weeps over our obsession with much-ness and many-ness. He longs for our presence.

And he is inviting you—and me—to come home, to come home to where we belong, to come home to that for which we were created. His arms are stretched out wide to receive us. His heart is enlarged to take us in.

For too long we have been in a far country: a country of noise and hurry and crowds, a country of climb and push and shove, a country of frustration and fear and intimidation. And he welcomes us home: home to serenity and peace and joy, home to friendship and fellowship and openness, home to intimacy and acceptance and affirmation.

We do not need to be shy. He invites us into the living room of his heart, where we can put on old slippers and share freely. He invites us into the kitchen of his friendship, where chatter and batter mix in good fun. He invites us into the dining room of his strength, where we can feast to our heart's delight. He invites us into the study of his wisdom, where we can learn and grow and stretch . . . and ask all the questions we want. He invites us into the workshop of his creativity, where we can be co-laborers with him, working together to determine the outcomes of events. He invites us into the bedroom of his rest, where new peace is found and where we can be naked and vulnerable and free. It is also the place of deepest intimacy, where we know and are known to the fullest.

-Richard Foster, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home

Meet the Students

Meet Drew “Slick” Colebank, a sophomore Neuroscience major from Masontown, PA. Drew is, honestly, one of the nicest people I know. He has a cheerful, humble spirit which is absolutely infectious. Drew joined the Prayer team this year, and I can’t wait to work with him. Read more about him…

1. What is your favorite childhood memory? I once went to a camp called Peniel, meaning "face to face with God" from Genesis when Jacob wrestled with God. There, they have a small, modest outside chapel, where a short vespers service was held. In this particular moment, we sang "Abide With Me" while the wind blew softly through the trees of these woods and the sun was just setting. Though simple, it was majestic. Then I remember clearly the Holy Spirit touching my heart when I asked of Him to "Abide with me fast falls the eventide." It is a peace that I can hardly describe.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? After much prayer of the summer, I decided that God wanted me to focus my energy in to this ministry. I have been involved in outreach events, such as Hot Dogs, greeting, and O-Week. I have attended a weekly small group Bible Study. I am now a Prayer Team Leader for 2016.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Cornerstone instills in me that God intended His people to be creative, to work, and to serve their fellow man in humility. Our diverse Christian community reminds me that God is always present, and by being present love and hope abounds.

Financial Update
God has blessed us recently in the past few months by helping us reach our monthly goal. Now, we are asking for help on a unique way of giving. If you are interested in learning more, please click on the picture below.

Moore News

If you saw our Christmas Newsletter’s picture, you may have noticed that I was holding a new addition to the family. That’s right, we got a dog. She is a Cheaglehund (Chihuahua, Beagle, Dachshund mix) named Olive. Our best friends, Clay and Jenny, teamed with Emily to surprise me and the boys with the early Christmas gift. I was completely surprised. She’s a very cuddly “lap” dog, that goes through random spurts of typical puppy hyperactivity. She especially, and painfully, loves to playfully bite toes or feet. We have to wean her of that one. Oh, and she is possibly the cutest dog you have ever seen. The boys (especially Joshua) love her, as do I. Emily has always said that I become a different person around dogs.

We had a great Christmas as well. We spent Christmas day at home in Pittsburgh and then traveled to Morgantown and Oak Hill, WV the following days. During that week, we didn’t do a whole lot except visit family, and it was fantastic and the relaxing break we all needed. Our house is filled with even more video games, remote controlled vehicles, and Star Wars toys. All of which I appreciate. For those of you wondering, yes I did see Star Wars...five times. If you want to hear my thoughts or review of the movie (I obviously liked it, or I wouldn’t have seen it five times), feel free to email me.

We hope this letter finds you well and that God continues to work through you.

In Christ,
Andy Moore