GOSPEL
The gospel is the good news for the world that Jesus lived, died, resurrected and ascended, and that he is returning. We seek to proclaim this good news and to see it bring reconciliation.
COMMUNITY
God has adopted us into a radical community living out the implications of the gospel in our life together, as we seek to be an embassy that anticipates the full coming of the Kingdom of God. We long to learn from and serve alongside neighbors for the common good of Bridgeport.
MISSION
The gospel calls this community to mission, extending the presence and reign of King Jesus into the world, proclaiming and exemplifying the reality of this Kingdom and its hope for our neighbors and world. We invite people to encounter the healing power of Jesus in the gospel of God’s actions and the community of God’s people.
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OUR VALUES
As we seek to fulfill this vision by God’s help, the following are some of the distinctive values by which we believe God calls our community to be marked:
PRESENCE
INTEGRATING OUR LIVES WITH ONE ANOTHER AND OUR NEIGHBORS THROUGH PROXIMITY
Love the people of Bridgeport by seeking their long-term good – spiritually and physically – as participants, not as saviors. Practice consistent presence in one another’s homes and in public spaces, forming relationships with one another and neighbors through shared time and space. Practice rhythms that allow us to regularly encounter God’s presence in our own lives, that we may be a faithful extension of that presence.
PROCLAMATION
BEARING PROPHETIC WITNESS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Tell the biblical story of God’s actions in history and our hope for the future, in both word and deed. With our own lives, submit to Jesus as King and to Scripture as his revelation. Invite people to come and follow Jesus. Seek justice and the well-being of all people, in word and deed.
RECONCILIATION
HEALING THE BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS CAUSED BY SIN
Seek to participate in the healing of broken relationships between people and God, one another, social structures, and creation, as a foretaste of the shalom of the renewed world coming when Jesus returns. Sacrifice to be a multi-ethnic, multi-class, multi-generational family with truly shared leadership.
INTERDEPENDENCE
NEEDING ONE ANOTHER AND HONORING ALL PEOPLE AND GIFTS
Recognize the centrality of the marginalized. Practice sharing and hospitality that meets one another’s material and dignity needs. Seek to empower and include the spiritual and cultural gifts of all sisters and brothers across class, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, marital status, and gifting.
SACRAMENT
WORSHIPING AND RECEIVING GOD’S GRACE IN BODILY, MATERIAL REALITIES
Make central the practices commanded by Jesus of baptism and communion. Seek healing of the whole person. Worship in body, mind, and desire.
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OUR NETWORK
LOCAL, GLOBAL, AND HISTORIC CHURCH CONNECTIONS
Cornerstone Bridgeport is a new congregation in the Cornerstone Parish, a part of the Greenhouse Movement . We are a member of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest in the Anglican Church in North America . We also participate in Pray Bridgeport, an ongoing gathering of neighborhood churches for prayer over the neighborhood and one another.
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OUR LEADERS
Rev. Nate and Sarah Beasley
Overseeing Pastor
Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Nate and Sarah met as students at the University of Illinois. They both personally have experienced the joy of being with Jesus and are passionate about extending his table to others. They are pastoring a group of Cornerstone congregations that includes Cornerstone Bridgeport. The best way you can bless them is by coming over for dinner and eating a lot of food. They have toddler twins, Joshua and Eliana and they currently love taking walks as a family through the city.
Zach and Karen Savella Stallard
Location Pastor
Zach and Karen met serving together at the Cornerstone congregation at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Now Zach is the Location Pastor for Cornerstone Bridgeport. They love living in Bridgeport and look forward to many years in the neighborhood. They are asking God to raise up a beautiful community of Jesus-following, neighbor-loving Kingdom ambassadors to participate in God’s ongoing work of bringing the Kingdom of God in Bridgeport.
Vision Team
- Mimi Guiracocha Bloomer
- Chris Ridgeway
- Karen Savella Stallard
- Zach Savella Stallard
Mobilizers
- Arts: Annie Yarbrough
- Communication: Taylor Yangas
- Communion: John Tyler
- Cross-Cultural Relationships: Na Suen
- Feasts: Jasmine Dela Luna
- Housing: Ben Guiracocha Bloomer
- Mission Partnership: Hannah and Drew Werner
- Music: Karen Savella Stallard
- Outreach: Chris Ridgeway
- Prayer: Cody Yarbrough
- Proclamation: Erin Walker
- Treasurer: Josh Grile-Nielsen
- Welcome: Rachel Savella