What We Believe:

Cornerstone is an inter-denominational group of committed believers in Jesus. We are not ashamed of the Gospel, and our goal is to learn to apply God's teaching in the Bible to ALL areas of our lives. No matter your background, identity, or convictions we welcome to join our community and learn more about what we believe!

Our staff work with the Coalition for Christian Outreach and Bellefield Presbyterian Church, and abide by their statements of faith. All of our student leaders have agreed to the following covenant as an example of what it looks like for us to submit our lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in a college setting:

Cornerstone Leadership Covenant:

We, as the student leaders of Cornerstone, will seek to “live a life worthy of the calling we have received” (Ephesians 4:1). We are committed to the one true God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and believe in the salvation and renewal found in Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection. We desire to live our lives in accordance with the boundaries which God has outlined within Scripture. Though we acknowledge that there may be gray areas in the way in which some passages are interpreted or emphasized, we seek to hold fast to the teaching of Scripture in the following ways:

ATTITUDE:
  • We recognize that as student leaders we are in a position of influence, therefore our attitude should reflect that of Christ, a servant leader. “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:5-7)​
  • We strive to build up our fellow students, Cornerstone, the university community, and God's Kingdom. As people of God, our attitude towards others will not include resentment, judgment, anger, selfishness, cynicism, gossip, and any other divisive qualities.  Instead, our attitudes will be characterized by grace, patience, forgiveness, faith, hope, and love.
LIFE
  • We seek to be a people of community (Acts 2:42). We seek to be inviting to others, building each other up, and challenging one another in the truth. In all speech, including our social media usage, we seek to be mindful of the words we use, remembering the importance of taming our tongues (James 3).
  • We seek accountability, asking others to hold us accountable to both biblical principles and empower us to hold firm to our commitments. We will seek out discipleship and mentorship. We recognize that spiritual council is integral to our growth, and will pursue it to the best of our ability.
  • We commit ourselves to conflict resolution as outlined by Jesus (Matthew 18). When we take issue with someone, we will first go to them directly to attempt to settle it. If we are unable to settle it directly with the person involved, we will go to staff to invite them to assist in the reconciliation process.
  • We believe that the biblical sexual ethic to which believers are called is found in the life-long, covenantal marriage between a man and a woman, and that it is only within the bounds of this relationship that sexual activity is to take place. Because of this, the expectation of all Cornerstone staff and leadership is that any relationship in which they are involved is shaped by and points towards this end.
  • All students under 21 will abstain from drinking alcohol. Students over 21 are committed to the responsible use of alcohol. In our relationship with students for whom alcohol may be a stumbling block, we will be mindful and willing to limit our liberties in an effort to show the love of Christ to others (1 Corinthians 8; 10:23).
  • As God has called us to the University setting as students, we will be faithful in our academic studies, being upstanding in work ethic and abstaining from cheating, plagiarizing, and other things that do not bring glory to God.

MINISTRY
  • We will be students of Scripture; founding our work, life and ministry upon the precepts set by God. Regular Scripture readings and prayer will be part of our routines.
  • God has also called us to be lights on campus. We are resolved to be a presence within Cornerstone and the places we find ourselves outside of the church walls. ​We will pursue opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
  • We will follow through serving with the ministry areas that God has entrusted us with, in both planning and implementation. In addition, we will work to prayerfully support our fellow leaders' areas of ministry.
  • We will pursue cross-cultural ministry in all of our work, hoping to be reflective of the inclusive and celebrative kingdom spoken of in Revelation 7.
  • As God has called us to the University setting as students, we will be faithful in our academic studies, being upstanding in work ethic and abstaining from cheating, plagiarizing, and other things that do not bring glory to God.