First of all, I want you to know --God saw this coming and He went ahead of you and prepared a place for you...
Remember when Paul the Apostle was a prisoner on board a ship headed to Rome? During their journey, a brutal storm came and they were faced with imminent shipwreck. FEAR quickly gripped their hearts as they faced the uncertainty of what lied ahead. However, Paul boldly assured them that NONE would be lost. As the ship was about to be destroyed, a centurion on board gave (2) directives: Those that CAN, swim to shore. The others, grab onto pieces of the ship and ride the waves to shore. And it came to pass, that they all escaped SAFE to shore. Friends, this applies to us today. The "storms" of our life shall pass; they hold no power over you --unless you allow it the power to DEFINE you. This season of your life will contain many invaluable lessons that you will carry with you always --just keep walking!
Many emotions are experienced while searching for a new local assembly --especially after leaving one you considered a "home" for so long. Often when we first walk into a new church building, we feel a bit lost...looking around the room, hoping to find a familiar face. For those who recently left Cornerstone, I'm sure that was a difficult decision for you to make. Jesus said, "Come follow me..." He will never ask anything of you, that you are not able to do through Him. "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ."
Don't feel you have to force anything to "fit" right away. And perhaps visiting each church for a few weeks in a row, would be the best way to get an overall picture of each one. Most importantly friends, allow the Holy Spirit to refresh you during this time! Great things are in store for you... go with Truth, go in freedom --and let the Peace of Christ rule in your hearts!
Take your time and ENJOY the journey forward! Gen. 12:1-- "The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you." God WILL show you this new place...you need only trust HIM. So just RELAX --it will all come together in time. And the good news is --WE are STILL family, because we are ALL apart of the Body of Christ! Jesus Christ our Lord --He is our Covering and THIS Blessing follows us WHEREVER we go!
So, without further ado...
The following is a list of churches in and around Toledo, that our bros./sis. recommended to those seeking a new place of fellowship... If you have one to add to the list, please comment below! Thanks!
▪ Calvary Assembly of God
5025 Glendale Ave., Toledo, OH
▪ Cedar Creek Church
▪ Crosswood Church
17360 North Dixie Highway, Bowling Green, OH
http://dayspringassembly.org/
▪Vineyard Church Perrysburg , OH
Fremont / Oak Harbor
Lima
MICHIGAN
6960 Sylvania Petersburg Rd., Ottawa Lake , MI
Indiana
Maumee St. , Angola
▪ theChurch on Strayer
3000 Strayer Rd., Maumee , OH
▪ The Father’s House
3421 Briarfield Blvd. Maumee , OH
▪
▪ Victory Christian Fellowship
2051 Oak Harbor Rd., Fremont , OH
▪ theChurch on 53 (extension of theChurch on Stayer in Maumee
1105 Co. Rd. 41, Fremont , OH
▪ Lima Community Church
2945 N. Cole St.Lima , OH
http://www.limacc.com/
2945 N. Cole St.
http://www.limacc.com/
▪ Crossroads Community Church
▪ Greater Than Dreams Church
(GTD also offers a weekly Bible Study in Toledo
▪ Harvest Christian Assembly
9030 Secor Rd., Temperance, MI
9030 Secor Rd., Temperance, MI
▪ The Vision Church
Thank your for this list! It will be a starting place for so many in finding their shepard.
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad to see this list because finding a new home is a difficult initial step. Well, so we thought it would be when we first left CS. We didn't think we'd find another home in this area. However, God lead us to Vineyard in Perrysburg and gave us several confirmations that we were in the right place so we gave it a try. We now call it our home.
ReplyDeleteEven though we know God lead us there and the confirmations came, we still had our eyes wide open, so to speak..at least at some level due to what we had experienced.
So far, all I've seen here is genuine love of God, genuine love and care of the sheep and love and service to all of mankind. Very little focus on self. Feeding the hungry, loving the hurting, "doing the stuff" the bible tells us to do. When you're always at the altar or in church focused on self (i.e., seeking the next big thing or that incredible anointing or the increase in finances or desiring to be slain in the spirit by such anointed men), I had to ask myself: is this really what Jesus wants us to do? Or do we use what we've received ALREADY (several times) to go out and help others? And yes, most of us were heavily involved in ministry..but I can't say (personally, for me) that my heart was right with so much focus on what I was going to receive and on performance levels and what God had for US, week after week. Btw, God doesn't expect us to perform...in fact, I don't think He likes the "show."
The Pastor at Vineyard is very humble, as is his wife. They pray for other churches, they publicly and lovingly bless those who choose to leave, for whatever reasons. We've connected with a lot of wonderful people at Vineyard. Still miss our family at C-Stone, of course....wonderful people there as well. =)
Everyone serves everyone. I think it was the 3rd week we attended that one of the ministry leaders (who is a Chaplain at an NPO) asked us how he could serve our family. This may not be a big deal to some people...but God knew what that would mean to us. Some of you may know what that would mean to you. He has more than followed through on what we requested due to a need in our life. See how God works?
Praise and worship is not the same as C-Stone but it's really good...we like it! And God's presence is there! =)
Is it CS? No. And to that I say, thank you God for the positive things that we received while there and we trust You to work us through the hurts. And thank you for moving us on, to our new home.
I want to encourage those looking for a church to know that there IS one for you. Try all of them on the list and see what fits or which one God calls you to. God is faithful! And remember this - just because it's the end of a season does NOT mean it's the end of your destiny! This was something God spoke to us as we made the decision to leave.
Blessings and love as you begin or continue your search!
Needed to read & to hear that there is life after CStone. I am thankful for escaping & thankful that I somehow found this site as I was looking for a new church home. God is good & I am looking for new spiritual things to be thankful for in this Thanksgiving season & to learn to let go of the Cornerstone way, a way of deception & twisting of the Word for personal gain & a way that exploits members's giftings for the building up of Michael's kingdom. Perhaps I will seek out Vineyard which sounds like a pure & simple, doctrinally sound church.
DeleteWow. Good to read such positive things about someone who has lived through leaving CStone & has stepped out to try a new church. It gives my heart hope.
DeleteTo Happy In Our New Home,
ReplyDeleteThank your for sharing. It has been on my heart to visit Vineyard Church for some time now. I happen to know the pastors from a church I attended in the 80's. Bill & Barb are very down to earth people. Perhaps I'll visit this Sunday.
You may be surprised to know that the church Bill & Barb & I attended - the former Living Word on Dorr & Secor also became very cult like & ended up closing as it literally fell apart due to division. I exited before it closed.
Also, Jim Wend, Janet's husband was the head of the music dept at that church. Funny how life is sometimes.
I am glad that you are adjusting & feeling at home in your "new home". It must feel good to be around genuine loving & caring pastors. It must be truly refreshing.
Your words of encouragement are most needed as others need to know that God is indeed alive and well & moving in other churches. It is also good to see that the focus is not just on self & seeking those "big" things that seem so spiritual.
I am so glad that God is blessing you there & healing your hurt as you move forward. It is a painful thing to leave wonderful people & relationships that have been made over so many years. I too miss those I was close to at one time & I pray that I will soon find a new home as well.
Take care & blessings & love to you.
We go to Cedar Creek at the Toledo campus and I can remember bashing the place for so long....how times change...
ReplyDeleteThe thing that I realized their at the creek is that the culmination of the church isn't just Sunday...meaning everything wasn't based around the service and the man on the platform. At the Creek everything is based on Monday through Saturday, and Sundays are a time to come together.
If you're looking for the small group setting to get know new people they have a multitude of groups that cover the how spectrum.
And the coffee isn't that bad either :)
I was kicked out of that church because I convienced a dying man from a local hospice to come there and accept Jesus before he passed. I was told to never do that again because he did not fit their image.
DeleteSee folks - there really is life after Cornerstone. It just takes time, openess, a willingness to work through the detoxing of your mind from false indoctrination & learning to trust again. We will probably always be cautious & suspect as we settle into a new church home - that's to be expected.
ReplyDeleteDear Confused No More,
ReplyDeleteYes, life is sure interesting! That's great that you already know Bill and Barb. I encourage you, especially since it's been on your heart to visit Vineyard, to take that step. :) If you recognize me from CS, please come over and say hello. I will do the same. Vineyard is a very friendly, welcoming place.
I appreciate your kinds words. We're all on a similar journey. Blessings to you as you continue your search.
Gone and Happy,
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm liking the coffee also! Lol ;)
To Gone & Happy & Happy In Our New Home,
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like the coffee & so glad to see that having coffee in church doesn't make you any less spiritual:)
I remember when MP used to preach on all of those bad things that those other less spiritual churches have & do & the comments he'd make about them acting more like being in a movie theatre than the house of God.
It's funny what I used to believe based merely on MP's word & never having experienced it for myself, I took it at face value. I put so much stock in what MP said about so many things in the world out there. Funny that it always had to be presented as us in here & them out there.
Well, our eyes have been opened & it's amazing the things we now see that we never would have thought to allow ourselves to expereince under the leadership of MP.
May you continue to enjoy the coffee & the fellowship in your new found church homes! And may the coffee devil be no more - LOL:-)
Oh my gosh, you are so spot on about the things Michael says about other "less" spiritual "religious" churches. Man are my eyes being enlightened by the comments here. I wish I had found this blog sooner. It looks like there haven't been many comments in awhile. I was wondering why. I guess it doesn't matter, I'm just glad I found it & can read words of real truth.
DeleteConfused No More,
ReplyDeleteI heard someone from CS was there today...not sure if it was you. I was in the back working in a ministry. If it was you, I'm disappointed I wasn't able to say hello (of course, I'd want to say hello to any new visitor, but esp. those from CS since I know what you're going through). Hope to see you next time, tho, if you decide to come back! :)
Blessings to you. ( Big hug )
To Happy In Our New Home,
ReplyDeleteYes, I was there today:)I went with a friend who is another former Cornerstonian. We recognized a familiar face, Mariam at the door. It was good to see her.
I truly enjoyed the service & the praise & worship. We could definitely sense the presence of the Holy Spirit there.
It of course was much different from Cornerstone, but there was a sincerity there & a true genuineness to lead you to serve others through the love of Christ. No bells & whistles, just the simplicity of what the Word of God calls us to do. No levels, no special anointings. Just we all have Jesus within us & that is what we are to take to others. We are to go & bring all that Jesus did for us to others. Very refreshing.
We'll be back and may bring a few other former Cornerstonians with us :)They currently go to the Church on Strayer & like it, but are not sure if that is where they are called to stay.
It is good to know that there is hope & life after Cornerstone. A process indeed, but one that Jesus will walk us through. We will probably never get over it, but we will get through it with the love & grace of God.
Thank you for your encouragement & blessings & hugs to you as well. Perhaps we'll see you next week:)
Confused No More,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you came and so happy you enjoyed it! Refreshing ~ yes! I think that's the term we used. :) Marian is so wonderful, we just love her and Tim.
I'll look for you again next week, along with the others!
Blessings!
Hello, I really appreciate this blog. I wanted to add a church to the list. The Armory Church is a where I have been a member for 2 years now. The pastor is a man of integrity and humility who has a true love for his sheep. His vision is great and we are praying for people to build HIS church! There is a true spirit of love and family there and the preached word has truly changed my life.
ReplyDeleteThe Armory Church
3319 Nebraska Ave.
Toledo, OH 43607
Would anyone be willing to post feedback on the following Churches:
ReplyDeleteCedar Creek and Crossroads...
"Curious2" is considering leaving C-stone and they would like to know what the above churches are like.
Thank you in advance!
If you are ever in Florida, you can come and be refreshed at: Kingdom Life Christian Church, 825 9th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34205
ReplyDeleteAfter the "Heartbreak Warfare", there is "Real Life" after Cornerstone.
Good to know & so thankful to hear that there is life after Cornerstone & all of the heartbreak "warfare".
Delete