Cornerstone Of Love

March 2015 has been designated Women’s History Month. This is an opportunity to shed some light on those females who have been instrumental in making something great from nothing, or something greater from something that was not yet. My focus will be on Mrs. Deborah Bennett who is such a woman and first lady of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Richmond Virginia 23234. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the birth of the church and Deborah unbeknownst to her, was an instrumental conduit to this birth. Deborah had a humble beginning and was raised in Greenville, South Carolina during some troubled times. There was racism against black people and Jim Crow was alive and well. Eventually her family moved to New York City in the borough of Queens. Raised like every other little girl, she was loved, protected and cared for by loving parent’s grandparents and a host of relatives. It was in her young life at the age of eight years old when a student from the Bob Jones University witnessed to her as an eight year old child and shared the gospel with her. She was not at all sure exactly what the student meant, but she never forgot the seed that was planted inside her heart that day. As Deborah grew up, she saw a lot in her Queens’s neighborhood. There was always something going on, or something about to go down on a daily basis. New York was hustling and bustling with sounds, people and good and bad times. Debra traveled all over the city of New York like any one would and studied at Brooklyn College, but the difference with her is that she still felt a burden. She distinctly remembers praying for God to raise up the many people she saw daily in her and the adjoining neighborhoods she frequented. She wanted to be able to help everyone become better because they knew Jesus. But she was just one person and started living her life in the meantime. By the 1970’s Deborah was coming into herself and pursuing different interest, and met and married Stanley Bennett in 1972. He was a very handsome man with a structured background (former Marine) and various interest. He was into activism, social consciousness and he had a very lucrative and profitable professional life all mapped out. One thing though never changed and that was Deborah’s burden for her people. She remembers praying that God, in his infinite wisdom would raise up a black man from the men available to speak to and teach the people. This wasn't easy, because it seemed that most men were just fine with doing their own thing. Deborah’s husband was one of those men, as he felt like his job was how he fulfilled his responsibility to his family. Nonetheless, it was as a result of Deborah’s faithful walk with the Lord that God used her testimony to draw her husband Stan Bennett to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, just two months after she herself was saved by Christ. In the years that followed, Deborah’s husband began to bear the burden that his dear wife originally had. He also had a deep seeded love for the Lord and because of this love, God was able to begin a “good” work in him. In 1985, the Bennett household relocated to Jacksonville Florida where her husband attended Trinity Bible College. After those trying college years, where some say Deborah received her PHT (putting hubby through) degree, in 1989 the decision was made by God and giving to now Pastor and Mrs. Bennett to move to Richmond Virginia. It was here that the true legacy of Deborah’s story will live on forever. Without a brick and mortar place to worship in, Deborah surrendered her home and all parts of it to become the birthplace of what is now known as Cornerstone Baptist Church. In 1990 Cornerstone relocated to the chapel of Richmond Christian School and there the church remained for seven years. Seven is the number of completeness and perfection (both physical and spiritual). It derives much of its meaning from being tied directly to God’s creation of all things. According to Jewish tradition, the creation of Adam occurred on October 7th, 3761 B.C. (or the first day of Tishri, which is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar). The word 'created' is used 7 times describing God’s creative work (Genesis 1:1, 21, 27 three times; 2:3; 2:4). There are 7 days in a week and God's Sabbath is on the 7th day. During this time God added to the church, both day and night. Now…This Church is celebrating its 25th anniversary and Deborah is involved in a host of ministries at 6100 Cornerstone Blvd, the current home of Cornerstone Baptist Church. The church is nestled up on a hill and twelve acres of land surrounds it as it shines as a beacon to the community like Deborah’s favorite artifact the lighthouse. Some of Deborah's ministries include the Choir, Director of our ladies outreach ministry entitled Phoster Club, and Sunday School Teacher to the Nursery Toddlers. Deborah & Pastor Bennett have 3 grown children, Matthew and Pamela, and the youngest, Jonathan, who is now our Youth Pastor. Pastor and Deborah Bennett are the proud grandparents of 11 grandchildren. Deborah's life verse can be found in I Cor. 15:58. Which goes as follows- Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.