Cornerstone’s Strategy for World Ministries

“Ask of Me and I will give you the nations…” Psalm 2:8

 

From our birth as a local church some 32 years ago, the Master of the Harvest has given us an ever increasing passion for reaching the world with His gospel.  Clearly, our Lord has led us and made our active hands and committed hearts to Lift up Jesus and Touch our World, effective in an ever expanding circle of outreach and love. This had become a focal point of Cornerstone. As the Lord continues to increase our global committment to prayer, finances, and encouragement to now over 150 missionaries and ministries in more than 60 nations, so too He continues to increase our passion for world evangelization.

 

We pray that we will always follow the Lord’s leading and be good stewards of all that He has given us and so fulfill our calling in world missions.  May we one day hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servants.”

 

I. Prayer is Paramount. 

The Lord has shown us that prayer is, and must continue to be, the primary gift we give to missions.  Accordingly, as the central point of our strategy for world ministries, we determine first and foremost to continually and faithfully bring missionaries, fellow believers around the world and nations before His throne in prayer.

 

II. Five Guiding Principles. 

With prayer as our central strategy, we believe the Lord has led us in determining five guiding goals and principles.  With His leading, we seek to further His kingdom in the world by:

 

 

Principle 1: Increasingly Affect the World for Jesus Christ

As the Lord leads, we will continue monthly support to an ever increasing staff of missionaries.  Our first consideration for support will be to missionaries and world missions that are accountable to the Assemblies of God World Ministries. 

 

We do not limit the number of missionaries the Lord would have us support, but continue to encourage “new harvesters” by taking them on by way of a monthly commitment in prayer and finances.

 

Supporting an ever increasing staff of missionaries helps us to keep asking the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers, it helps us to replenish missionary staff that finish their term of ministry, and it helps us to never become complacent with our current accomplishments.

 

Principle 2: Build Relationships

As the Lord leads, we will continue to build very close partnering and personal relationships with a limited number of missionaries and their families who will covenant with us.  We have developed at least, one key partnership in Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.  Currently we have partners in Ecuador, Sudan, Nepal, and Uzbekistan.

 

Forming these relationships will allow us to have long term influence in different areas of the world and will also allow for the reaping of mutual benefits for both the missionary family and our church family

 

Principle 3: Show Compassion

As the Lord leads, we as a church family minister one time support in such situations as natural disaster, war, calamities, or special need.

 

Ministering in these times allows us to be His instruments of compassion at critical moments in regions of the world that need His touch, and it helps to open doors to evangelism. The ministries that serve as our conduit in such critical moments include Disaster Relief, Convoy of Hope, Mission of Mercy, and Healthcare Ministries.

 

Principle 4: Distribute the Word of God

As the Lord leads, we seek to facilitate giving God’s Word to every human being.

 

This focus on distributing the Word of God allows the Gospel to be spread with great speed and even greater results.  These opportunities are made possible through Fire Bible China and Book of Hope. Also, tracts and other literature are available by way of Light for the Lost, Bibles through Bible Alliance, the International Bible Society and Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade.

 

Principle 5: Involve Our Entire Church Body

As the Lord leads, we try to have everyone who calls Cornerstone their home church participate in World Ministries in some capacity.

 

Involving our church body in World Ministries allows individuals and families to form a life long focus on the Great Commission. It also allows for a new generation of young people to be exposed to the vast need of the lost around the world.

 

In addition to corporate prayer, individual giving, and individual relationships with missionaries we encourage different age groups in our body to become actively involved in specific outreach ministries.

• Adults take a hands-on approach through MAPS trips and special offerings.
• Our youth participate in world ministry through Speed the Light; which helps supply vehicles and equipment to missionaries and ministries and through AIM teams with a missionary on the field.
• Our children, at an early age, learn the importance of touching our world with the love of Jesus through Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge.

Our entire church body touches the lives of hurting people around the world through World Hunger Day.

 

Prayer is the key that will unlock the hearts of men and women around the world.  These five principles will serve as a guide to allow us to fulfill the Lord’s mandate for his people.  May God use us and this missions strategy to affect our world for the Lord Jesus until His return.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  Romans 10:13-15