Hi, my name is Hayden Taylor! I have been working at Cornerstone for nearly two years, and I am now transitioning into this residency with the hope of becoming a Pastor. I will specifically be under the supervision of Nick Volkening and Nathan Ralls. Not only that, but I will also be a part of our youth team, playing a role in that as well.

Growing up, I was not a Christian. I went to church for the first time when I was around 14 years old. Although I did not want to be there, thanks be to God, he started to work in me and I started to understand his love for me. I started to understand what it meant to be forgiven. I started to understand what the Bible was saying. I started to understand what Jesus meant when he died on the cross and said, "Forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34).

I know what it is like to feel broken, lost, and hurt. I know what it is like to have a blinded view of the church. I know what it is like to be apart from God. However, I also know what it's like to feel loved, cared about, and forgiven. There are people out there who don't know Jesus, who haven't felt his hand on their shoulder, who are blinded by the things of this world. Knowing that is what motivates me the most. That is why I am doing what I am doing.

We partner with an agency that works alongside our residents to guide them with raising support. To learn how to become a supporter, click here.

With the rise in instability in the world, there has been a rise in the prevalence of mental health issues. Nearly 50 million American adults experienced mental illness in 2019; only 47% of those that needed services received them, and 5% had serious thoughts of suicide. Over 2.5 million or 10.6% of youth in the U.S. have severe major depression. We in the church have not been immune to this rise.

My goal is to guide some of these people back to the narrow path and to introduce them to the only one that can save if they haven't met him. Practically, this will look like refining the counseling intake procedure, training in the counseling field myself, raising up others to counsel competently, and providing counseling care.

My heart has always been with those suffering. I personally have been there. God has given me the desire, knowledge, capability, and opportunity to live out and teach the Gospel to those who need to hear it the most.

We partner with an agency that works alongside our residents to guide them with raising support. To learn how to become a supporter, click here 

Today's culture faces a great moral crisis in what to believe, who am I, and what is my purpose in life?

Matthew 28:18-20 "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”

The greatest calling for followers of Christ is to "go!" Go into the culture and proclaim the Good News in what Jesus has done in our lives, but what Jesus wants to do in the lives of the people He places in our paths. We can gain their ears, and we'll gain their hearts.

We partner with an agency that works alongside our residents to guide them with raising support. To learn how to become a supporter, click here 

Hello! My name is Parker Robbins and I am a pastoral resident of Cornerstone Church in Marion, Illinois. I have been attending Cornerstone for 3 years as a volunteer in Kids ministry. Kids ministry at my church involves many things including leading the teaching portion every once in a while. Well eventually it was my turn in the cycle to teach one Sunday, and right off the bat I noticed something....teaching came very naturally to me!!! As I started to get more grounded in scripture, I realized that teaching is a gift given by the holy spirit (Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:28.). I realized shortly after that it is my job as a disciple to faithfully steward this gift that God gave me for the good of others and the glory of God. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. -1 Peter 4:10-11 It is my mission as a disciple of Jesus Christ to use the gifts that he gave me to bring more into his kingdom today. This is my sole purpose for being here on this earth, and I desire to preach the word of God faithfully to a broken world. 80 percent of the population of America desires to grow spiritually due to a lack of hope. Of course, we know that the only true thing that will fill this void of hope is the good news of Jesus Christ. God has me here in Southern Illinois to faithfully partner with the body to bring that 80 percent alive in Christ right here. Thank you so much for being willing to partner with me on this journey.

We partner with an agency that works alongside our residents to guide them with raising support. To learn how to become a supporter, click here 

My name is Lucas Johnson and I have volunteered with Cornerstone Church since 2020, and I have now joined Cornerstone Church staff as a ministry resident to pursue vocational ministry. I am specifically going to be under the supervision of our Student Director in hopes that I will one day become a youth pastor or student director myself. I have found a passion for helping lead the youth around me to Jesus.

I grew up going to a small southern Baptist church where I was the only kid, along with my older brother. Since I have gotten older, God has put it on my heart to serve students. I want to share the Gospel to the students who feel alone, who feel like they have no community. 45% of our youth feel as if nobody understands them. I want to share with all of our students that feel this way that there is a Heavenly Father who understands them and wants joy for them.

A lot of people would say our youth and our students are the "future", but I would say they are the "right now." It is imperative that we build up faithful warriors of Christ in our students, and teach them the joy of living with Jesus as our Savior.

It is so humbling that God is using someone like me to minister to our youth, to be a part of something so crucial. It is a privilege and an honor to be employed by Reliant and Cornerstone Church. Thank you so much for considering to support this ministry and the mission God has given me!

We partner with an agency that works alongside our residents to guide them with raising support. To learn how to become a supporter, click here 

I have the amazing opportunity to partner with Cornerstone Church and their mission to Help People Follow Jesus! As a part of that vision, we are passionate about raising up strong, equipped, and fully developed leaders! People need the Gospel of Jesus and it is so important that we have strong and godly leaders to bring that message in boldness and power!

The Worship Residency will train me in three specific categories. These areas include Doctrine/Theology, Characters/Affections, and Hands on Skills. Essentially we are working on my Head, Hands and Heart! Through this, my foundation of scripture will be strengthened through Bible courses. On top of that I will be discipling, mentoring and serving others, plus actively doing ministry work in the worship department and other various ministries. Additionally, I will be taking strategic lessons to develop greater vocal technique as well as learning an instrument!

I am full of anticipation and excitement about this season of ministry and pushing forward the Gospel message of Jesus Christ! Isaiah 6:8 says, "' Who shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here I am. Send me!'"

We partner with an agency that works alongside our residents to guide them with raising support. To learn how to become a supporter, click here