Count Your Many Blessings...

“Count your many blessings…name them one by one.”

It is easy to count the blessings in the Cornerstone Baptist
Church Crusader Children’s Ministry. They are named Mariah, Jacob, Madison,
Nakaya, Ishmail, Alexis, Jaloni…and so many more.

Cornerstone Crusaders is a children’s ministry program that
began in Cornerstone Baptist Church two years ago. The program started with
seven children. Today, they work with over one hundred children and their
families each week. A hot breakfast is provided each Sunday morning, and often
meals on Sunday night. The Crusader team also provides Bible Clubs each week in
three off campus locations, which are mobile home communities and apartment
complexes. In addition, each Club provides a hot meal for the children and for
their families who attend. Approximately 95% of these children participate in
the free and reduced lunch programs in their elementary schools.

The Crusader team has stressed to the children that they
must give back to their community. As a result, they have adopted soldiers in
Iraq, supplied Christmas ornaments for the Georgetown Veteran’s Home, provided
Mother’s Day cards for local nursing home residents, and serve meals at the
Saul’s Homeless Shelter in Batavia. Crusaders hold a “Thank You” lunch once
each quarter. Families, friends and all members of Cornerstone Baptist Church
are invited to attend. Each child works to serve the meal and clean up
afterwards. In true giving fashion, the Crusaders cannot eat until everyone
else has been served.

And, then there is the fun part of being a Cornerstone
Crusader. They have taken trips skating, to Ringling Brothers Circus, Jump Zone
Indoor Amusement Center, and swimming each quarter. However, the most requested
event is the Crusader Lock-Ins – an overnight party of fun and fellowship. Each
lock-in culminates with a lesson on salvation and a time of prayer.

Cornerstone Baptist Church continues to feel the energy and
excitement of all these little blessings…and more importantly, the Crusader
team continues to count them one by one.