Get to Know the Shepherding Board

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Get to Know the Shepherding Board

The Shepherding Board consists of experienced ministry team members from various branches of The Cornerstone. While they share in their love for the Word of God, for God’s people and for The Cornerstone Scripture Study, they reflect the diversity of The Cornerstone membership in age, professional and community service backgrounds and branch representation. With prayer and God’s help the mission of the Shepherding Board is to:
• Establish, implement and oversee guidelines and policies to insure the integrity of The Cornerstone.
• Facilitate the growth of The Cornerstone.
• Discern the spiritual direction for The Cornerstone through prayer and consensus of members.

Listed below are the current members of the Shepherding Board along with one of their favorite scripture verses.

SB-SueDerdeyn

Sue Derdeyn, Ave Maria Branch – Iowa City, Iowa, member since 2006

And not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. – Romans 5:3-5 (NABRE)

These are the first scripture verses that spoke directly to me—I felt I had lived these words! They helped me see that God’s Word is still relevant and can be a source of great comfort and encouragement. From that time on I was hooked and I have been reading and studying the bible ever since!

SB-PeggyFonke

Peggy Fonke, St. Joseph Branch Branch – Clayton, Missouri, member since 2001

… As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. – Colossians 3:12-13 (NABRE)

I love this passage from Paul because it helps me to understand HOW we can follow Jesus’ command to love one another, every day! It’s a road map for my journey toward Jesus and a recipe for transformation. The Cornerstone is helping me change for the better. As I change, I become closer to Jesus and experience His joy, an indescribable joy, unlike any other. It is a tiny glimpse of the joy we will experience in eternal life. I want others to experience this amazing gift that I have received through The Cornerstone.

SB-DanJohnson

Dan Johnson, Mary Queen of Peace (MQP) Branch – St. Louis, Missouri, member since 2006

Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” – John 6:67-68 (NABRE)

This passage plainly speaks to the undeniable truth that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.   Nothing else the world offers can satisfy our longing.  Only Jesus can fill the God shaped hole in our soul.  Like the  apostles, we understand that the way of the cross is difficult and the world will tempt us to stray; but when we choose Christ we experience a peace that the world cannot provide. Jesus indeed has the words of eternal life.

SB-JanMelnyk

Jan Melnyk, St. Anthony Day Branch – The Woodlands, Texas, member since 2008

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me… – Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NABRE)

The reason I love these verses is the reminder that God’s will for us all here on earth is for GOOD. During times of trial in my life, I have clung to these verses, remembering that His love for us is so inconceivably abundant and He desires for us to live our lives seeking Him in all things, proclaiming the Good News to everyone who crosses our path, and to never stop believing in the hope and joy of living eternally with Him in Heaven.

SB-LauraKozak

Laura  Patton Kozak, Mary Queen of Peace (MQP) Branch – St. Louis, Missouri, member since 2008

…knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. – Romans 5:3-5 (NABRE)

This is the verse that brought me to the Cornerstone. This verse reminds me that we all need God, prayer, and a community to walk with us on this journey of living, of becoming what God desires for us, and that we are called to endure, grow in God, and always hope in God’s promises.