“Cornerstone”

This family ministry group was originally started in 1995 when Brent felt called to share the gift of music God had given him.  Brent shared with his sister Wendy this calling and together they began to travel to various churches and functions to share the gospel through music.

Brent grew up in a Christian home attending the “Millvale United Baptist Church”.  Brent comes from a musical family and started singing with his brothers and cousin at the early age of five years old.

During the summers of 1995 and 1996, God provided an opportunity for Brent to attend the “Steve Hurst School of Music Ministry” the Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee.  This school takes the gift God has given you and teaches vocalists and musicians to reach their highest potential.  This is done through a series of workshops and one on one coaching.  All this is done in an environment that fosters a heart of ministry.

In 1997, Brent’s stepdaughter Jennifer joined the group.  Jennifer has one of those voices blessed of God.  Jennifer’s style of contemporary music is appealing to the youth however young and old enjoy listening to her sing.  Jennifer sings when her schedule allows.

In 1998, Brent’s wife Charlene joined the ministry.  Charlene has a heart for ministry and it shows when she sings.  Charlene will very often share with you her experiences and how God is working in her life.

In November of 1999, a decision was made to name the group.  As a result, this family ministry group was registered as “Cornerstone Ministries”.  The music group became known as “Cornerstone”.

In the fall of 2000, God opened the door allowing “Cornerstone” to release their first recording entitled “Loving God, Loving Each Other”.  We have received much testimony of how God has been able to work in people’s lives through this recording.

Another recording project was released in the spring of 2004 entitled “Step Of Faith.”  On this recording is the song “Thank You Jesus” written by Brent.  This is Brent’s first time writing music and God has been using this song to reach so many.  Brent has since written several songs.

During the year of 2001, God had changes in store for the ministry of “Cornerstone.”  In October of 2001, “Cornerstone” came off the road for six months to prayerfully seek the direction God wanted the group to go.  During this time, Brent and Charlene began to focus on the youth in their community as Brent’s sister Wendy went on to other opportunities in music ministry.

However, in 2002 “Cornerstone” felt again God’s calling to share the gospel through music.  The opportunity opened for Jennifer and Brent to attend music ministry school in Nashville in 2002. This was Jennifer’s first time going to this school and was richly blessed with the friendships she made and the training in music ministry she received.

In the fall of 2002, Charlene was part of a missionary team to Brazil.  During this time Charlene helped to build a church and minister those in need.  Charlene was very blessed and a witness to what God can do when you allow yourself to be used of God.

In June 2003, Brent and Charlene were part of a missionary team to New York City.  They volunteered at “The Bowery,” a Christian shelter for the homeless. They also took part in feeding the homeless by setting up soup lines in several parks in New York City.  They received blessings over flowing, as God was able to work through them to bless and minister to those in need.

 Also in 2003, Brent performed at the City River Wesleyan church in Bangor, Maine during a weekend stay there.

In June 2004, Becca Shaw, a young lady who attends Immanuel Baptist Church, joined “Cornerstone.”  Becca was inspired by our daughter Jennifer to use her vocal talent.   Jennifer was unable to be with us very often after enrolling in university so we have been blessed to have Becca with us.  Becca loves the Lord and loves to sing.

2004 was another great year.  Brent was part of the 400 member choir at the “Franklin Graham Festival.”  An awesome sight from the choir view as the invitation call was done at the end of the evening and hundreds of people came forward. 

In July 2004, Brent and Charlene were blessed with the opportunity to take a group of teens to New Brunswick to join 1300 other teens that ministered in a program called “Tidal Impact.”

In July 2004, “Cornerstone” volunteered at a Christian camp “Kids with a Promise” in Pennsylvania.  This camp does outreach to less fortunate kids from the streets of New York City that have not had the opportunity to experience the gospel.  The camp had over 800 campers with 576 professions of faith.

The summer of 2005 took us to on a cross-country trip to Manitoba.  We enjoyed family and friends along the way while also having the opportunity to minister in Sackville, N.B., Sudbury, Ontario and Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

The year 2005 was a big milestone for “Cornerstone” celebrating ten years of ministry.  October we marked this event by having a concert at our home church with some very special guests.  Family, friends, musicians, singers and Pastors from several churches came that night to celebrate with us.  This event was a very emotional time as we reflected on what God was able to do through us because of our obedience to follow the path He has laid out for us.  

2006 was another awesome year.  Highlights included the opportunity to minister in several new churches, a DVBS in Oxford, prison ministry, sharing the stage with Andrew Martin “International Southern Gospel Artist of the Year” and becoming involved with ministry to NASCAR fans. 

Brent volunteered at the “Victory Junction Gang Camp” in North Carolina.  This camp was formed three years ago by Nascar driver Kyle Petty to provide children with chronic illnesses the experience of camp without the costs associated.  This camp was a dream of Adam Petty, Kyle’s son, who died while racing at the New Hampshire International Speedway.  Brent was involved with children that have cancer and although was very blessed misses the kids.

We are NASCAR fans and Brent became interested in the ministry side of racing.  MRO “Motor Racing Outreach” does ministry events at most racing events including the NASCAR events.  In 2004, after contact with MRO, they invited “Cornerstone” to come to the NASCAR Nextel cup stock car racing event in Loudon, New Hampshire in July of 2006.  During the Saturday evening slot car event we performed the national anthems for Canada and United States.  On Sunday morning “Cornerstone” performed at the church service for the fans on the morning of the Nextel Nascar cup race.  We also had the opportunity to meet Morgan Shepherd, driver of the #89 “Victory In Jesus” race car and his team.  We talked a lot about our ministries.

2007 was another awesome year.  There were several new churches on the schedule, two daily vacation bible schools as well as a spending a week at family camp looking after the music.  Charlene also went to El Salvador with a mission team to help minister and build homes.  She felt blessed with the accomplishments there however got sick during the visit and is still recovering.

The 2008 schedule started out with a trip to Ottawa where we laid the tracks for our third recording project “Sowing Seeds” – released in April.  We were very excited, as it had been four years since we had one a recording project. 

We included three new songs written by Brent that we trust will be a blessing.  We enjoyed the opportunity to have the vocals of our daughter Jennifer and Becca Shaw.  This was Becca’s first recording project with us.

June 2008, Charlene completed her three year study and received her Lay Pastor Diploma.

2009 was a year of transition.  We had a full ministry schedule with several new churches, family camp, vacation bible schools and speaking events.  However, we made a move from Truro to the valley, and settled in Hantsport in time for Christmas.

2010 has been another great year.  We have had many blessings and have seen the God continues to work through the ministry of Cornerstone.  With our new home now in the valley, this gave several opportunities to visit many new churches to make many friendships. 

Also in September of 2010, Charlene enrolled in the Acadia Divinity College where she is enrolled in the “Bachelor of Theology” program offered there. 

We enjoy our new church and although ministry outreach is important, “Cornerstone Ministries” also feel that ministering in their own church is the first priority.  Brent and Charlene now attend the Hantsport Baptist Church.  They are members and involved with the ministry of music, choir, Sunday school and youth program to name a few.

Ministry within their home church and outreach in other churches has provided a good balance of commitment to their home church and the call God has placed on “Cornerstone” to do outreach in other areas.

God has opened many doors allowing “Cornerstone” to extend this ministry beyond musical concerts to also include Daily Vacation Bible Schools, camp ministry, prison ministry, outreach, missions, and youth ministry through music, puppetry and drama.

“Cornerstone” generally travels in Nova Scotia however, has travelled to New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania.  God has truly been able to bless people through the ministry of “Cornerstone” as they reach out with the Gospel message.  This family group has been very blessed and thankful for the opportunities God has given them to minister.