March 2011

 Dear Ministry Partners and Friends:

 “The grills are about ready!” J.B. proclaimed loudly as a cooler with 200 burger patties awaited consumption for our 2^nd annual Cornerstone Quarter Cookout. “Okay, here comes the first bus!” Local skiers and ski resort employees poured off the bus to be greeted by the church.

“Thanks for the 25 cent burger,” one local skier remarked. The conversation continued, as we noticed he had a very unique name. “What is the origin of that name?” “Its Israeli,” he replied, wolfing down a burger while in his ski gear. “So you’re Jewish? Do you know Hebrew?” “Yeah, I grew up going to Jewish school.” My wheels were turning at that point. “So what do you think about Jesus? Do you think he is the Messiah?” I replied. “Well, we believe he was a false prophet and not the Messiah.” “Interesting,” I said.” That proceeded into a robust discussion about the resurrection, Jesus Christ fulfilling the messianic prophecies, and salvation available for all, Jews and non-Jews, through faith in Him. In the meantime, snow was pounding our two little white pop-up tents in the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort employee parking lot. But that didn’t deter the crew of 20 or so Masters College students and Cornerstone regulars from flipping up burgers, chips, drinks, and, most importantly, a Bible and a tract for 25 cents. As burgers flipped off the grill and into the plates of hungry local skiers, so did conversations here and there about the gospel.

 Speaking of the gospel, we had the privilege of baptizing a woman recently, as usual, in the 150 gallon portable horse trough. That beat up old trough is seeing more people dunked in it than it is horses drinking out of it.

 We apologize for the delay in an update letter. God has kept us more occupied than ever in recent months. Here is a fly-by of what has been happening:

 As the church has been recently seeing unprecedented growth, shepherding and discipleship needs are on the rise. To meet these needs, the church body is transitioning into “gospel communities,” groups of around 10 or so, where care and the one-anothers can be ensured for all.

 We had the privilege of sending our largest crew yet to the Shepherds Conference: 8 men made the 1000-mile trip, with 5 attending for the first time.

 As mentioned above, we had the privilege of hosting another team of Masters College students during spring break. In addition to cleaning homes, watching kids, and chopping wood, they came alongside us for servant-outreach to the community at large.

 In a major blessing from God, part of the numerical and spiritual growth has included a band of young men and women fired up to disciple others. They have recently sought the leadership out for counsel to get organized and equipped as budding disciple-makers.

 This coming Sunday, by God’s grace, a handful of souls will complete another round of membership to Cornerstone.

 God answered prayer to provide the final room available in our rented facility for the Sunday school kids. Instead of cramming into the hallway by the bathrooms, they now have plenty of room (and confined space) for teaching, singing, and crafts.

 As of 10 days ago, Cornerstone has been the blessed recipient of a family from one of our mother churches, Placerita Baptist in southern California. Adam, Erin, and 5-month old Titus arrived in their moving van in Wilson to link arms with us for Christ.

 As usual, we find ourselves in need of strength and wisdom beyond our resources. We ask that you would take some time to team-up with us in prayer: 

1. Thank God for his love shown to us in the death of Jesus for our sin on the cross (1 John 4:9).
2. Give God praise for the spiritual and numerical growth he is causing in the church. We know that God alone causes any kind of growth; we merely scatter the seed and water it (1 Cor 3:7).
3. Thank God for the new rising group of young people who are passionate to grow in Christlikeness and pour into others to do the same; this is a major praise (2 Tim 2:2).
4. Pray that all of us here would grow in our understanding of God’s love for us in the Person and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, such that all of our lives, in the small details and great, would be in sincere response to him (2 Cor 5:14-15).
5. With growing numbers, it is easy for the leadership to become sinfully proud. Please pray that the whole church, and especially the leadership, would never stop growing in Christlike humility; not thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to and giving sincere praise to Jesus (Rom 12:3).
6. Beg God that we would all grow in promoting Christlike unity among the church body (Eph 4:3).
7. Pray that the whole church would grow in a love for and submission to the word of God (Jas 1:21).
8. Please ask God to give us unprecedented wisdom in shepherding as he is bringing counseling and shepherding opportunities that are beyond our strength (1 Kings 3:9).
9. Pray for great wisdom and skill to organize and equip the body effectively since it is no longer possible for the leadership to directly disciple everyone; pray for new disciple-makers (2 Tim 2:2).
10. Please continue to ask God to provide the many financial needs within the church (Ps 34:8-10).

Though numbers are on the rise, financial assistance is still needed to further care for this growing flock. We thank God for all of you, especially those who have been bearing with us for nearly three years now! If you would like to team up with us financially, please make checks out to “Cornerstone Church.” All of your offerings are tax-deductible. Checks may be mailed to: Cornerstone Church, P.O. Box 980, Wilson, Wyoming, 83014.