| Encouraging “God’s Servants”: Highlights from our Christianity, Culture, and Identity |
 On Thursday, Cornerstone and our church engagement arm, the Church Ambassador Network, hosted a special lunch for over eighty Granite State pastors & lay leaders at Grace Capital Church in Pembroke. Our theme was “Christianity, Culture, and Identity,” and it was a time of great inspiration and encouragement for these selfless servants. Katie Anderson, who works and worships in Nashua, provided a powerful opening to the program with her riveting testimony of living as a man for seven years before de-transitioning to her true biological self. At the core of that process was her embrace of her most foundational identity: that of a beloved child of God, baptized into His Church. The head of the national movement behind the Church Ambassador Network–now sponsored in seventeen states by sister Family Policy Council organizations like Cornerstone–addressed the attendees next. Drawing on his extensive ministry based in Iowa’s state capitol of Des Moines, Greg Baker encouraged pastors in their anointed identity as ambassadors for Christ in their communities. A natural extension of their core ministerial identity is the call for pastors to prayerfully encourage state government officials to assume their identities as “God’s servants” (Romans 13.4)–whether they are believers or not. The results of nurturing these church and leadership partnerships in Iowa have been astounding, where state organizations like Iowa’s Dept. of Health and Human Services now regularly look to churches in Iowa as primary partners in dealing with complex issues like the addiction crisis, adoption & foster care, mental health, and others. Shannon McGinley’s Family Policy Council counterpart from Maine, Mr. Carroll Conley, then encouraged pastors to both advocate for good public policy with integrity and keep the relational doors open to share the gospel. Serving in the dual role of Executive Director of the Christian Civic League of Maine and the Director of the League’s Church Ambassador Network, Carroll has learned how to faithfully advocate for Biblically-aligned public policy while nurturing relationships with state leaders–even a governor whose policy views are diametrically opposite to those of most faithful Christians. A highlight of the event came with awards given by Cornerstone and the Church Ambassador Network. Cornerstone bestowed the William Wilberforce Award to Rep. Glenn Cordelli, recognizing him for his unflagging courage as a state legislator, notably on issues related to life and education. The Church Ambassador Network awarded its annual prize to Pastor John Rivera of Hope City Church for his grace and perseverance in nurturing valuable connections with his state representatives and state senator and for his outstanding service to the underserved in Manchester. Shannon McGinley, Cornerstone’s Executive Director, took time to thank pastors for their courage during the past legislative session and reminded them of the power of their public testimonies–which will be needed again this upcoming legislative session as we take on legislation that impacts key areas of freedom, faith, and conscience. Mary Fahey, Cornerstone’s Communications and Policy Specialist, then equipped the pastors with a comprehensive preview of the legislation we will be monitoring in 2024. Natalia Saa, worship leader from LifeWay Church in Derry, led us in a closing song of commission as shepherds of God’s people. Finally, our event host, Pastor Mark Warren of Grace Capital Church in Pembroke, closed the event in prayer, asking for God’s help in these times of great cultural upheaval. Feel free to take advantage of the following opportunities that were offered to our event attendees: STAY INFORMED & ENGAGED: Click here to make sure that you’re receiving our Saturday morning Family Update emails and to register your preferred areas of engagement.BE EQUIPPED AS A CHRISTIAN CITIZEN: Email Lauren, lgawlak@nhcornerstone.org to schedule a Concord 101presentation for your church or group. VISIT THE STATE HOUSE THUR 11/16 10a-1p: Email Lauren, lgawlak@nhcornerstone.org for more info and to RSVP. LIVE GENEROUSLY: Click here to give to Cornerstone and its Church Ambassador Network one-time or on a regular basis. The following resources are available to you as well:Baby Safe Haven Signage: by NH law, your Church is already a baby safe haven! Read ALL the details, including how to get your own church signage, here! Visit the Resources area of our website for a comprehensive list of helps for those dealing with gender dysphoria, transgenderism, and unwanted same-sex attraction. Legislative Updates To prepare for the start of the 2024 legislative session, here are a few important bills that will carry over from the 2023 session, and will continue to need the support and active engagement of Granite Staters. The State Recognition of Biological Sex – HB 396: House Bill 396 addresses the threats to the safety of our women and young girls that arise from the use of self-declared gender identity alone to separate bathrooms, locker rooms, athletics, prisons, and other private areas. The bill seeks to clarify that nothing in New Hampshire law prevents public facilities from differentiating between the biological sexes in these areas. Last session HB 396 was retained in House Committee. This session, Cornerstone hopes to advance this bill out of the committee and into law. The Students first act – SB 219: Currently retained in committee, Senate Bill 219 attempts to shine light on the amount of public money being dedicated to underwrite the salaries of school administrators and to fund the state’s equity and inclusion agenda rather than going to teachers and students. Cornerstone is currently focusing efforts on advancing the Students First act out of committee and into law. |
Please follow and like us:
