Our purpose . . .

BRINGING people to Jesus.

BECOMING disciples of Jesus.

BEING SENT out by Jesus.

Bring people to Jesus. . .
The Bible teaches that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, every person has the opportunity to find “life and have it abundantly” (Jn.10:10). Bringing people to Jesus does not happen by imposing the message of Christ upon others. It happens by offering the gospel respectfully, through loving service, through Spirit-filled witness and caring relationships. We are thirsty people who have discovered the well spring of life. Our task is to lead and bring others to the Water of Life.

Bring people to Jesus. . .
The Bible teaches that we are to extend the love of Christ and the message of the gospel to everyone—to our family, friends, and neighbors and to people all around the world.  Jesus calls us to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” and teaching others to obey His commands (Mt.28:19-20).  Bringing people to Jesus includes praying for and reaching “every nation, tribe, people and language” (Rev.7:9). 

Bring people to Jesus. . .
Mark 2 speaks of four men who wanted to help their friend who was paralyzed. They didn’t have the power to heal him. But they did have the ability to do something very simple—they could carry their friend to the one Person who could really help.  Bringing people to Jesus means bringing them to the only Person who can truly save and heal.

Bring people to Jesus. . .
Bringing people to the Jesus as revealed in Scripture. He is the Son of God and God the Son. He is the Word Incarnate and the Lamb of God slain for the forgiveness of sins.  He was crucified so that we could be reconciled to God, and on the third day He rose from the dead. He is the Head of the church and His Kingdom will have no end.

Become disciples of Jesus. . .
Bringing people to Jesus is more than introducing them to Christ. The church is called to assist people to abide in Christ (remain in relationship with Him).  This assistance comes in the form of teaching the Bible consistently (teaching sound doctrine), encouraging the practice of the spiritual disciplines and holy and obedient living by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Become disciples of Jesus. . .
Discipleship is a call to holiness—being set apart for God.  We are to be disentangled from the things of this world in order to be available for the things of God.  We are called to practice inward spiritual disciplines (prayer, Bible study, meditation and fasting); outward spiritual disciplines (simplicity, solitude, submission and service) and corporate spiritual disciplines (confession, worship, guidance and celebration).

To be a disciple of Christ means that we also participate in a local church community.
We come to Christ individually, but we are called to serve corporately.  Jesus calls us to community in order that the world might see the new society manifesting the lifestyle of the Kingdom of God.  Together, we are to be devoted to “the apostles’ teaching (the Bible), and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread (sharing meals together and communion) and prayer” (Acts 2:42).

Become disciples of Jesus. . .
Just as living life is more than being born, so too being a Christian is more than having a conversion experience.  Our Lord calls us to enter into the great exchange: giving all that we have, all that we are and all that we’ve done in exchange for all that He has, all that He is and all that He’s done.  Jesus said, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny
himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Lk.9:23).  Discipleship is a radical commitment to following Jesus Christ as Lord and seeking “first His Kingdom and His righteousness” (Mt.6:33).

Sent out by Jesus. . .
All of us are called to live outside of ourselves.  We’re all called by Jesus to give our lives away, to learn to love and serve one another.  He calls us to utilize the spiritual gifts He’s given us to build up the Body of Christ.  Jesus calls us to Himself to love us and build us up.  Then He sends us out as His ambassadors filled with His Spirit to share our time and resources to advance the Kingdom of God.

Sent out by Jesus. . .
God calls the church to be His “witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  Each of us must discover his/her calling within the greatest revolution in human history: the Kingdom of God.  Jerusalem represents the geographical area and people that with which we are most familiar. Judea is an extension of Jerusalem—a regional area. Samaria represents people groups that might be unfamiliar or even unpopular to us (the Jews and Samaritans were not friendly neighbors).  The “ends of the earth” describes the scope of God’s mission: reaching every people group with the gospel of Christ Jesus.  God longs to see His church awakened and passionate to be sent out.  Cornerstone is committed to this vision!

Sent out by Jesus. . .
We believe every Christian is called to join in the Great Commission (Mt.28:18-20). Specific commissionings are to be confirmed by Pastors, Elders and mission agencies--but it is Jesus Himself who sends us into His mission field, both locally and around the world. . .so that people will come to Jesus, become disciples of Jesus. . .and be sent out by Jesus to reach still others.