April 21, 2020 marks Cornerstone Church's 25th Anniversary (April 21, 1996) The picture above is from our 2020 Easter Service conducted outside in the parking lot due to the Covid-19 situation. Robert Fellows (who has been with us since our Broken Bow, Nebraska days ushered, and Don Fleming who has been with us since 1998 set up our sound system to play through car fm radio. We had a great time, though unusual and a little awkward. 

My family and I moved to Jacksonville in July 1995 from Broken Bow, Nebraska to assist Pastor Larry Easton and International Christian Center who were going through one of the worst situations a church can endure. After almost a year, the burden fell to me entirely and we formed Cornerstone Church with a remnant of 84 people who became our charter members. We started in a 3,000 seat auditorium and have moved 5 times since to this location we are about to occupy on Atlantic Blvd.

We have seen most of the original people and many others come and go as people do through death, job transfers, being sent out to mission fields and other ministries, and of course, the occasional falling away. It has been challenging to my faith to say the least, but through it all God has sustained us, blessed us, and continued to use us for His Glory. I cannot say how many have been saved, baptized in the Holy Spirit, healed, delivered, discipled etc. I am not great at keeping statistics. I know it has been many here and abroad. I appreciate those few who are still working by my side to this day more than they will ever know. I can truly say, I have not been abandoned by God or my friends! There are many in the city (and worldwide) who still call me "Pastor" and for that I am thankful.

I never expected to celebrate our 25th anniversary this way. I will be making a special anniversary YouTube video for Sunday April 19th. (youtube.com/ronnydthomason) and God willing we will meet soon to have a proper celebration. 

Though I am tempted to be nostalgic about the past and remember those who have passed through our lives, I am determined to be forward minded and ever hopeful that God will reveal His purposes for all that has happened and also bring about the long awaited spiritual renewal that we know is coming. I am hanging on, and hanging in, determined to reap the harvest we have been promised!

Thank you all who have been a part of this journey! God bless you for allowing us to come along side you and your families for the Glory of God and the expansion of His Kingdom in your hearts.

Pastor Ronny D. Thomason