Last Saturday, Cornerstone Church held its annual Touch of Christmas blessings event. While the community noticed the queue, winding throughout the east side of town, few understood the magnitude of Cornerstone’s impact or why the church continually engages the community with such awesome voracity.
While Touch of Christmas began in Bristow 10 years ago, the event actually grew from roots nourished decades earlier in the childhood of Bowie, Maryland’s Cornerstone Church Pastor Mark Lehmann. Of the “touch”, he recalled the event that inspired the annual blessings, touching and changing the lives of thousands along the east coast and in Bristow.
Reflecting, Lehmann said “Growing up as a kid, in my own life, we sometimes struggled. I remember one specific Christmas Eve. We had no gifts and no food, and someone filled our front porch with food and a toy for each of my 4 siblings and me. That personal touch, that loving, caring experience, gave us the heart to say that we never want to forget that it’s the personal touch that changes lives. It’s not the gifts or toys but the touch that makes it personal and meaningful, so that’s why we call our outreach the ‘Touch of Christmas’.”
Bowie and Bristow Cornerstone Church campuses partner in the ministry of sharing God’s love and changing the world through it. Whether people drive 5 or more hours to attend Touch of Christmas in Bowie or sit in line for hours to drive through and receive prayers and blessings from servant ministers in Bristow, Cornerstone Pastors Lehmann and Mark Evans and church members express the same desires and love in action for them, offering prayer, encouragement, spiritual support, and personal connection for and with each person and family they encounter and thanking God for granting them the opportunities.
Lehmann said “It’s the heart of our house. It’s the heart of God for people. There is no afterthought in the Kingdom of God. We believe we look most like Jesus when we serve others. He came to serve, save, and love. That’s what we strive to do. It’s about touching people with the love of Jesus. You’re important. You’re loved. We see you.” While Evans shared “We strongly believe that one church can change the world at Cornerstone. Being able to share Jesus with our community and unconditionally love them the way He loves us through provision, grace, prayer, and relationships is awesome and powerful. We’re so grateful for His goodness.”
See Cornerstone, Page Four As for the local impact of Cornerstone’s actions, the numbers alone speak volumes. Throughout Saturday morning’s event, cars stretched nearly a mile and a half as they wound west from East 8th Avenue to North Main Street, north to East 10th Avenue, east to North Poplar Street, south to East 6th Avenue, west to the fire department, north by way of the alley to East 7th Avenue, and once again east, passing directly in front of Cornerstone Church with recipients receiving their blessings along the way.
Evans noted that more than 2 semis-full of food and commodities were distributed to more than 425 vehicles, touching more than 700 families. After the queue of vehicles ended, the church blessed even more people, who arrived on foot and bicycle. A minimum of 300 prayers were prayed with recipients and more than 300 Bibles gifted. Locals also received more than 900 toys and gifts and 600 bags filled with hygiene items. Countless blessings of shoes, coats, socks, and more comforted bodies while Jesus worked through His church to comfort the spirits and souls of His people. In total, more than 60 servant ministers served through the event with 4 Bristow and Creek County law enforcement officers.
Church members noted their gratefulness and blessings of peace, joy, and hope in sharing a touch with the community. As she served, Lara recalled imagery of Jesus attending to lines of people seeking blessings and ministry from him, saying “It hit me that ‘Wow! We’re doing what Jesus did.’ It was very touching and encouraging to me to be a part of that.” Calvin noted “People were so thankful—even for something as simple as a can of beans. Seeing the difference it made blessed my heart.” Jessica and Andy agreed with experiencing the joy of helping others. Each respectively said “I was feeling so joyful to be a part of blessing others.” and “For me, it was the harmony of everyone working together and being of the same heart and mind in blessing others.” That harmony in service was shared by Lisa, who expressed her thankfulness for God’s goodness in bringing a “like-mindedness to sharing Jesus’ love and light” with everyone and the “happiness of hearts” among all who served from the youngest of children to the most mature of adults amongst the group. Kenny identified his gratitude for God returning people he long had missed from his life to it.
Of all those who shared, Joy’s favorite aspect elicited tears. She recalled a gentleman who came by foot, seeking groceries, at day’s end. He arrived with only a walking stick, but as he left, he went home with a wagon filled with groceries and goodies— much more than he anticipated. She recounted the experience, saying “His face touched me so much as he was on the brink of tears. It’s an incredible blessing to be able to share the love of Jesus with others. I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”
More than anything, Cornerstone Church wants everyone to know the love of Jesus. Blessing others with a personal touch at Christmas provides a simple avenue to share His unending love. The church also hopes all churches will join them, reminding all that “One church can change the world, so let’s change the world together!” Lehmann left a parting thought: “Imagine the blessings and positive change the world could see if all churches acted on that belief.”