200 Posts – and this is the biggest news yet!!

I have really been slacking lately on posting here, but it’s not because of a lack of activity. I have been working out the final details on some pretty big changes in my life. Since I graduated from Virginia Tech in 1995, I have been working as an engineer. One year as a crash test engineer for an aerospace company, and then for the last 11 years I have worked as a design engineer for a major fitness company. That will all be changing in a few weeks. BIG TIME! Cornerstone has asked me to come on board as the first pastor on staff and I have accepted. This is a huge step of faith for me and I have sensed God all over this opportunity.

Since the inception of Cornerstone, we have survived week to week completely on Godly men volunteering their time to preach and take care of the ministry and business of the church. We have grown to a point where this is no longer feasible, and the leadership has realized that in order for us to effectively minister and reach out to those who are attending and those who we feel called to reach, that we needed a full time pastor. We have not been a typical church, so we have faced some issues that are unusual.

Since Cornerstone formed out of a church split, it has taken a long time to establish a vision and a leadership structure. I started attending during this planning stage and just felt like God wanted me there helping out in any way I could. I have worked with the youth, with children, with music, with technology, with setup, and with preaching on Sunday morning. Pretty much anywhere there was a need. I have come to consider us as a church plant, but instead of planning everything before the launch, we have had to meet week to week and start ministries and keep ministries going while we are doing the preliminary work in setting up the church! There has even been some discussion on what the actual title should be for me since we are an elder-led church, but I think the function is far more important than the title. The title shouldn’t get in the way of what we are called to do, and for that reason I believe that the title of pastor is the best and will allow us to really connect with the culture and area we live in.

My role will be much more that of a leader, teacher, equipper, and encourager and not so much of the traditional visitation/counseling role. For us to be able to grow and get those attending involved in ministry, this role will be critical. So for the church attenders reading this, get ready. Cornerstone is getting ready to go full steam ahead. Experiencing new life in Christ, Equipping believers to effectively live and share the Gospel, and Engaging our community and our world with God’s love. I am excited and ready to start!! I put in my official two week notice at work today and assuming all the final little details are worked out, I will be starting June 15th. God is good.

This will be a big change for me and for my family, but we are trusting God to carry us through. I do ask for your continued prayers as we start this new assignment from God. It has not been easy leaving a good job that I enjoy and that I have done well in, but when God leads, you know that it is time to move forward and follow Him.

One last thing, at least for now I will continue teaching and leading the youth. I know I will have to start recruiting and plugging in some help, but I feel that youth and children deserve our focus. I will do everything I can to make sure that we are reaching and teaching the children and teens that God has entrusted to us.

Mike

I am a former design engineer who now pastors Cornerstone Community Church in Galax, Virginia. I'm passionate about following Jesus and I love technology. I've been married to Jennifer for 28 years, and we have three adult children.

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *