Cornerstone Crusaders Ministry Serves Children

“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 two years ago at  Cornerstone Baptist Church, Batavia. 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.