How Cornerstone Church Took My Faith To The Next Level

I started attending Cornerstone Church in 2023. It all started when I met my wife Cacey, the worship leader at Cornerstone. She encouraged me to watch the livestream for the church and see if I found Pastor Doyle to be a good preacher. I was reluctant at first, knowing good and well every church I’ve attended in the area was more of a bible study. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard Pastor Doyle say something along the lines of “This church isn’t for those with lukewarm faith, this church is for those who want to build their faith.” This is what I had been yearning for. The message was strong and there was a sense of authority that he spoke with that wasn’t considerate of the congregations feelings, but it was empowering and a message that needed to be delivered. When I say that, I’m not insinuating he was seeking to hurt anyone’s feelings. I mean he speaks a message that is considerate of the word of God over the emotions of man. It fired me up.

I ended up reaching out to Cacey and I said verbatim “I was going to try going to your church because I’m attracted to you, but I actually listened to his last sermon and I am actually very interested in attending.” This was the beginning of a breakthrough. I’ve never experienced a church in the states that welcomes the Holy Spirit, where I’ve witnessed healing, where I’ve felt such an overwhelming feeling of the Holy Spirit. My family is from Honduras and church in the states is very, very different. A lot of churches I’ve attended have regulations where they censor themselves so the congregation feels comfortable. The type of church where it’s members attend to convince themselves they’re Christians because they attend church on Sundays. The type of church where members don’t seek to be challenged. The type of church where your lifestyle doesn’t change the moment you step out the door. I can’t express how disappointed I’ve been. I can express how grateful I am to God for answering my prayers to put me in a church where I could worship without feeling uncomfortable. I am surrounded by others who want to praise like they mean it.

⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. ⁶ There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. ⁷ But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ⁸ For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; ⁹ to another faith ^[f]by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of ^[g]healing ^[h]by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ and to another the ^[i]effecting of ^[j]miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the ^[k]distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He ^[l]wills.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NASB)

This excerpt from Corinthians is near and dear to me. In churches I’ve attended in Honduras, you witness miracles at practically every service. A lot of people don’t realize we have the same authority and gifts like those of the apostles. There are preachers who prophesy, members who offer words of knowledge, and various forms of tongues. I am a nondenominational Christian. I believe in the gospel. I don’t believe or endorse how denominations have their own standards of conduct that aren’t biblical. I’ve attended Pentecostal churches where there is expectations on dress code and hairstyle. There are even expectations on behavior. Each denomination has it’s own non-biblical standards of conduct, which I find to be a means of division between Christians. I’m not attending church to dictate how people dress or judge them for how they behave. I attend church to build my faith, find fellowship, and worship our Lord and Savior!

The gifts of the spirit in the Bible were not something I was always very familiar with. I did not understand it was something I had privileges for. I joined a class at the church called “Spiritual Gifts.” This was my breakthrough. Praying in tongues, receiving words of knowledge and how to speak to the enemy with authority. It has changed my life drastically. I cannot express how much this has helped me in my life. I have spiritual dominion, whereas I did not have this before. I want to pray for people in public. I want to spread the word. I want to participate in outreach. I want to give my money to this church because I know there is good intent with my tithing. That was always a struggle for me at mega churches. You see how lavish the church experiences are in those churches and it just never resonated with me to give. I did it because it was biblical, but I was hesitant because of what I could see. One church I became a member at had a private chef from a fine dining restaurant prepare us meals once we were initiated as members. It just didn’t feel right.

All in all, I do not want to criticize other churches. That is by no means my intent in sharing my testimony. I am just so ecstatic I found what I was looking for. I’m excited to be a part of this congregation as long as it is God’s will for me. If you are interested in trying a new church, or have the same desires I do in a church, please comment. Reach out, I would love to build new relationship founded in faith.

Much love,
Ricardo Ramirez