One of the more memorable ministry experiences happened for me over a seven years ago. My wife and I had been married a little over a year; after leaving a very difficult board meeting, not able to access our car by the parking lot jam, we decided to take a walk. It was my intention to get our mind off of the meeting and the uncertainties that were on the horizon for us as a young couple.
A few short minutes into our walk it began to pour down raining. I thought to myself, “oh great, it’s raining.” We laughed and reflected on the Lord’s faithfulness and eventually made it back to our car as one happy couple. The possibility of transition was very intimidating to me. That walk in the rain is still a memorable moment for Julie and me. In times of adversity, or uncertainty, I remember, “the walk in the rain.” It was in that walk where I was reminded of the Lord’s faithfulness.
A few months later, the Lord put it in our hearts to transition and continue in ministry. This move would require a leap of faith, but we believed that the Lord is faithful and that He would give us an opportunity to impact a transient community. We had a small budget, an even smaller core group and very limited resources. God proved himself faithful, not only adding to the church, but also giving us opportunity to impact people with the love of Jesus. God is faithful!
Almost 8 years later, I reflect with gratitude on the journey. Every journey is full of transitions: graduations, marriage, relocations, and personal changes. I have come to appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the overall process of bringing people into a passionate experience with Jesus in the midst of transition. God is faithful!
2011 was not absent of challenges and transition. However, the journey is still just as sweet. The demographics are changing. Many of the people who were students have graduated and have made Boone their home. We have seen more “mature” and “senior” adults are calling the Summit their home. Oh, and you should see the number of expecting mothers (and fathers) are anticipating the birth of their new additions that will to add to the nursery ministry.
We continue to have a significant impact in our community and on the campus of Appalachian State University. We have committed more time, people and resources to global missions. We have invested in our own: updating toys in children’s church and nursery, launching both college campus ministry and fresh strategies to connect our “mature members.” We are also updating within the scope of media and outreach. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter {@cornerstonesummit} and www.cornerstonesummit.org.
Throughout the journey it has been the generosity of people like you that assist in seizing and sustaining the opportunities that God has given us. It is a blessing to have people throughout the journey that believe and support the vision. When I think of people like you, I am reminded that God is faithful.
The transparency and length of this letter reveals the value that the Summit and I place on relationships. The Summit has always been a special place. From the beginning you could feel the love, the sense of family, the joy of worship, and the passion in an encouraging message. We started with a belief that there would be a place on the mountain, in which God would bring a diverse group of people together, to learn of Him, grow in Christ and grow as a family. We will continue to be a special place for those seeking God and we will continue to believe that God is faithful!
In this end-of-the-year letter, I reflect on 2011. Having added one son to make three, I know that I am a better Father than I was a year ago. I am a better husband than I was a year ago (my wife agrees). I am a better Pastor and leader than I was a year ago. God has blessed the Summit. God has blessed my family and God has blessed me. God is faithful.
As I reflected on the year 2011 and the overall journey, I thought of all of the victories, the challenges, transitions, and transformations. We have mourned through the death of loved ones, cried at weddings, rejoiced in salvations, we have been humbled holding newborns. We are in constant prayer for those who have been scattered and we intercede for those who are broken. We pray passionately for the salvation of souls.
I want to thank you for your financial support, friendship and prayers. There were a few transitions on the horizon as we entered 2012, in some ways it reminds of a previous walk! I feel like we have moved into something new and fresh! What was a walk has become a journey and through the sunshine and the rain, I have found God to still be faithful.
My sincerest gratitude and appreciation for your support, Pastor Reggie Hunt
