"Four missionaries currently are involved with Cornerstone City
Church. The Inmans focus primarily on children’s ministries and organize
the Kids Week segment of the church’s annual citywide outreach called
“iHeart Derry.” The Suarezes created and lead the Master’s Commission
ministry and are involved in Street Pastors, an evangelistic outreach to
teens. Raquel and the Inmans also participate in Extreme Team, a
ministry that goes into elementary schools to share the gospel in fun,
exciting ways.
Engaging a culture where historical religious division runs deep
requires exemplifying personal salvation in Jesus and authentic
Christian love. For Cornerstone, sharing that love means loving the
whole community.
“Derry has lots of old memories that conjure up pain,” says Robert
Suarez. “It’s very important that what we do here is visible because
that will create new memories. As a result, what they think back on will
be positive, healthy and life-giving rather than negative.”
As the Master’s Commission and Street Pastors teams go out in
ministry across the city, their impact can be felt in a variety of ways.
“When we’re out among the people, it calms the atmosphere. Young
people come over to us and want to talk. After an hour or so, they go
home without getting involved in trouble. We’ve actually seen a decrease
in violence,” says Robert.
Local leaders, media and the police department have acknowledged what
Cornerstone is doing for the community as both Catholics and
Protestants are touched by believers’ acts of compassion. This year, as
part of the “iHeart Derry” outreach, Cornerstone partnered with Convoy
of Hope Europe to build a playground in a Protestant neighborhood. Their
effort drew the attention of the deputy mayor, who made an appearance
at the site. When the project was completed, grateful parents watched
their children play at the new facility until late in the evening. The
church also hosted a prayer event, inviting people from the community to
form a line across Peace Bridge, hold hands and pray together."
This is an excerpt from an article on Worldag.org, if you would like to read more follow this link: http://world.ag.org/article/bridging-divisions-derry
While in Ireland we will have a chance to participate in the Street Pastor program. Last year we were invited to join the street pastors and stand outside a night club from 12-2am. We handed out soup, coffee, and simply shared Christ's love. As it mentions in the article, there is much more peace in the areas where the street pastors are and they have developed a relationship with the police in Derry. This has in turn opened more opportunities for Christ's love to be shared.
