Dear Ministry Partners and Friends:

I’m no dendrologist, but I’ve heard planting a young tree is tricky. First, that fragile tree has to be taken to its new location. That seemingly simple process alone can permanently damage the tree. If it survives relocation, then it must be grounded in the proper soil so as to stabilize it. Again, a very delicate process. Then, though planted in the right soil, it still requires continual external support just to hold it up. Without these supports holding it up, the sapling will succumb to the elements early in its fragile existence and topple or blow over. But as that support helps to stabilize the young tree through often harsh conditions, it grows stronger, little by little. And then the day finally comes: Those external supports can be removed, and the tree, though perhaps a bit wobbly, can stand on its own. The joy of that day is multiplied as the tree’s first fruit begins to appear on its branches. Because of frequent care, abundant help, and much sacrifice from others, the young tree is alive, fruitful, and standing firm.

Well, I didn’t know if this day would ever come. But by God’s great grace shown to us through your sacrificial support in prayer and donations to our sapling church plant, it has. It really has come!

From 2006 through early 2008, Cornerstone Church, a.k.a. the “Jackson Hole church plant,” was just a collection of ideas, nothing more. It was on paper, and that’s all. It was an exciting idea that the three, then five, then eleven, of us talked about as we met together at The Masters College, Grace Community Church, and Placerita Baptist Church.

The church plant team, fall 2008, newcomers in Wilson, Wyoming.

None of us knew what would happen. Many people were skeptical (and with our inexperience in mind, appropriately so). None of us were sure about anything except for this little verse spoken by Jesus Christ: “I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18). We banked everything on those words of our great God and Savior. Our conversations in the early years, the frenzied garage-sale fundraisers, the “Jackson Hole church plant” nights in the college dorms, those early support letters written with some uncertainty, the 27-hour U-Haul drive to move the church plant team from California to Wyoming, searching for jobs and housing – we entrusted everything to those words of God.

And now we are thrilled to tell you that, by God’s grace through your help, we are ready for the outside supports to be removed from this sapling because Cornerstone Church is financially standing on its own. And on top of that, God has seen fit that it bear fruit.

Things have been far from perfect, far from mess-less, nor without mistakes or pain.  Anything can happen; one strong gust and a green free-standing tree can be blown over in a second. But rejoice with us one final time as we highlight some of the recent fruit that our God has caused to grow:

• Over the past several weeks, at least four people that I know of in their twenties have come to faith in Christ. It’s been incredible. I wish that you, our supporters, were here to see it. God, in his sovereign grace, has seen fit to blow through our community by his Spirit to give new life.
• We recently baptized two more at Cornerstone who wanted to be obedient to Jesus.
• The regular attendance at our weekly church gatherings now averages around 100 people.
• The children’s ministry has grown to a point where we are often scrambling for leaders, teachers, and space. Thankfully, many are stepping up to serve.
• Our weekly men’s leadership equipping breakfast keeps moving forward with a group of faithful men looking to grow and make disciples.
• We are in the process of our first elder ordination. Matt Mumma is currently going through the process in preparation for this high calling. As many of you know, Matt has been with us since the beginning, faithfully serving through biblical counseling. His competence as a shepherd has been increasing over the past few years.
• This week, Bryan Chassard finished teaching through the first round of our “Fundamentals of the Faith” class. The response was actually greater than we anticipated, and we will certainly be doing more in the near future.
• Just a few days ago, I received a letter from a young woman in the church full of encouragement: “Confronted and convicted by my own sin I wanted to ‘head for the hills.’ I am grateful for the leadership at Cornerstone to steer me into biblical doctrine and support me in growing as a Christian. I was falling down a lot and when I was ready to pick myself up, my family at Cornerstone took me in with open arms and hearts.”
• A year ago, we kicked off our “Gospel Community Groups” ministry. These groups were designed to promote greater fellowship and one-anothering in a closer, life-on-life setting, while also providing more hands-on shepherding. In the gospel communities, we complete a 20-week study of the entire Bible, a 4-week study of the attributes of God, and a 12-week study on conflict resolution. Five groups of approximately 10 people were started last year. At this time, the groups have grown massively, and a sixth was started just a few weeks ago. God has used these groups tremendously to save and sanctify souls.
• Financially, we are at a point where we can fully support our needs. Again, I confess that I could not see this day coming, especially this early on.

And the list of God’s church-building accomplishments goes on and on. But in the meantime, I just want to thank you all, so so much. We are so grateful for you all. You were so patient with the church plant team, so sacrificial in giving, and so faithful to continue supporting us, especially in the early days. THANK YOU!! May our great God bless you richly for your sacrifices!

And so, as this will be our final letter, we invite you one more time to team up with us in prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Builder of his church:

1. Praise and thank God for his great love shown to us through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for our sin. Christ is the reason churches are planted; he is worthy of all our efforts! (Romans 11:36)
2. Thank God for bringing many souls, both recent and in earlier days, to saving faith in Jesus. Nothing is more thrilling than to watch God get glory in rescuing souls. Praise Him! (Acts 11:48)
3. Thank him for all the financial support that he has provided over these past four years from both inside and outside Cornerstone, and for his abundant faithfulness to meet needs (Philippians 4:19).
4. Praise God for how patient he has been with us, the leadership, and especially me (Eric), since we have not always made the wisest decisions. Praise him for his forbearance in still strengthening us all the more (Psalm 103:8).
5. Praise Jesus for the continued unity we have experienced, though we are a young church with young leadership. It is so kind of the Lord to give us unity, and it is critical for the longevity of the church (Philippians 1:27, 2:1-2).
6. Thank him for the patience and endurance of many in the church who have stuck it out, served hard, sacrificed much, remained united, and did what they could to serve the body and make disciples (Philippians 2:25).
7. Please pray that God would continue to transform every single individual, more and more into completeness in Christ. Pray that He would be increasingly formed in us all (Galatians 4:19).
8. Ask God to give the church continued and increased unity with one another in Christ, always being gentle, humble, and patient with one another, showing tolerance in love (Ephesians 4:2-3).
9. Please pray for the leadership to be always growing as examples in humility. Pray for wisdom and discernment beyond our years, and deepening love among us for God and the flock (1 Peter 5;2-3).
10. Please pray that we, as a church body, would grow in doing all things for God’s glory (Psalm 115:1).

I praise God for all of you. You have been that stable and dependable support which God has used to build this little church. Thank you all. Of course, you can stay up to date on the happenings of the ministry at our website (www.CornerstoneJH.com). Feel free to drop us a line anytime.

For the fame of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Eric, on behalf of Cornerstone Church’s former church plant team: Leslie, Matt, Sera, Bryan, Ashley, Chris, Rebecca, Melissa, Neill, and Natalie

Cornerstone Church (including a few visitors and missing some regulars), March 11, 2012, at the community center in Wilson where we gather every Sunday.