Cornerstone Baptist Church

     Cornerstone Baptist Church is a group of believers that organized in the home of Gayle and Betty Murdock in March, 1984. Stepping out on nothing but faith and the assurance that God wanted this work for Him to be started, the congregation wandered like the prophets of old, looking for a permanent place to call home…a place where God might be glorified and where the needs of people might be met. Seeking the face of God and trusting in His everlasting promise, the congregation first rented a small meeting room at was then the Sherwood Forest Motel on West Waco Drive, a building which no longer stands, in which to conduct services. Those were the testing days. Having not so much as a church hymnal, the church held its very first meeting in mid-March, 1984 and God proved His promise that He will always be there even if only a few are gathered in His name.

     Only those who were part of that humble beginning can truly appreciate the way that God was faithful to lead…how He helped the congregation find a nice piece of land on which to build…how He gave the people the spirit of giving so that that property could be paid off…and how He gave the church leaders the insight to seek out just the right man to go to bat for them and get the needed financing so they could build!

     February, 1985 brought the coldest weather of the year but the Cornerstone congregation was excited because it brought their first moving day. Despite five inches of snow that feel two days before, the church eagerly packed into the crowded, but cozy quarters that God provided for them temporarily in the shopping center on North Robinson Drive. Immediately, the church hosted Bro. Sonny Holland for a warm, soul-searching revival to get things off on a good note. Then…another milestone cam eon a warm, sun-splashed April day when the church trekked down to its property for the groundbreaking!

     What anticipation the summer days of 1985 brought as member after member ventured down to the property to check on the building progress. What memories each visit brought…such as the two-week tent revival that had been held on this same land back in the fall of 1984, amid what seemed like gallons and gallons of rain! But excitement was in the air as the people trusted God that that simple piece of concrete called a foundation would someday support a beautiful edifice with things like a balcony, carpeted floors, stained glass windows, and a second-floor Sunday School complex.

     Although everyone was anxious to occupy the new quarters and get on with the Lord’s work, lots of people felt a tinge of panic when the word came that the move would have to be accomplished by the first day of the year, 1986. It was a cold, rainy night and the church had met for a time of holiday fellowship at the clubhouse in

Cameron Park…lots of good food, lots of Christian fellowship, and lots of thanks giving praises to the Lord when the word was broken.

No one panicked however. Instead, it was used a springboard to get busy and get the Lord’s work in high gear. He apparently was tired of us waiting, and was ready for us to possess our possessions. So…with a new vision, a hearty spirit, and lots of prayerful determination, the Christmas season became the work season as the faithful gathered each evening to do what they could do…..drive nails, sweep, hang paper, paint, whatever needed to be done. Few will forget the cold night outside but the warmth inside as the people huddled together on New Year’s Eve to fellowship after a long hard day of determined labor! Amidst all the clutter, the bond of fellowship became so close as the great opportunity in the hearts of the people to get to know each other in another intimate way. Working together…sharing a dream together…what a kindred spirit evolved!

At long last the third (and final) moving day for the church arrived! As the New Year, 1986, shoed its face, the church pitched in to clear away every remnant from the shopping center and restore it to its original condition. What a blessing it was to all of us as some of the men from our neighboring church, Robinson First Baptist, showed up to help us move. Truly it was a historic hour to see close cooperation such as this, especially in light of the fact that brothers in Christ today sometimes become jealous rivals when another work is begun nearby. But not these dear brothers, so many of whom showed up and worked hard to help us accomplish our move.

Even though the cement foundation remained uncovered and the walls still needed their promised coating of vinyl (plus a hundred or so other jobs that needed to be done), the first meeting day in the new building was a day that those who were present will not soon forget. Bro. Milton Ker, evangelist from Chattanooga, Tennessee and brother of our pastor, preached in both services and a mighty move of God engulfed the place. Dozens stood until chairs could be secured from our neighbors at the Robinson First Baptist as the glory of God was thick upon the place. Brother Milton challenged the church to be strong…having faith…and most of all, never lose sight of its vision to win the lost for Christ.

What a journey….and little did we know of the wondrous things that the Lord would bring our way. As our church continued to grow it was decided in 2001 to join the Southern Baptist Conference and then we were blessed further when in 2003 the Spring Valley Methodist Church merged with our congregation. It was at this time that Bro. Jim Daniels joined our pastoral staff as co-pastor and Bro. John Slade was named our associate pastor. The Lord has continued to bless our church and we look forward to the blessings that will be ours as we continue to do the Lord’s work.