Dear Cornerstone family,
On Tuesday evening this past week, I sent an important message to the Cornerstone family about an upcoming staff transition. In his own words, Rev. Ben Griffith penned the note below.
Dear Brothers and Sisters of Cornerstone,
It is with a deep sense of joy mixed with sadness that I want to share with you that we believe the Lord is calling us to serve in another corner of his kingdom. Since the summer of 2019, it has been our incredible privilege to be swept up with you in the work that King Jesus is doing here, growing his church and advancing his kingdom through Cornerstone in Franklin, TN. Serving alongside Nate, Tony, Greg, and the leadership has been a true and rich gift, a season in which I've been given so much more than I could possibly give in return. You have loved us well. You have welcomed, embraced, and encouraged our family, and we are so profoundly grateful that King Jesus has intertwined our stories together in the larger story that he continues to write for us all. God is good, and he is at work, and he has been so good to us through you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
A few weeks ago, after a long season of prayerfully wrestling and processing, we accepted a call to serve with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) on the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. RUF is a ministry that has long been near and dear to us—Rebecca and I met through and were deeply shaped by RUF in college, and we have continued to support and stay connected to RUF through the years. We are truly thankful for and thrilled about the prospects of jumping into this ministry opportunity and continuing to grow and serve with RUF at Samford.
There is so much more to say, both about how hard it is to think about leaving Cornerstone and about how compelled we feel to follow the Lord's call towards RUF at Samford. For now, please know how grateful we are for you, and how blessed we are to call Cornerstone our home. King Jesus is at work, his kingdom is on the move, and there are exciting days ahead for this dear part of the body of Christ at the corner of Church and 3rd Street. May he continue to give us the grace to press on eagerly where he leads, further up and further in, as we keep our eyes on him.
Yours in Christ,
Ben Griffith
As sad as I am to see Ben and the whole Griffith family depart, I’m thrilled with the opportunity before them and for the blessing in store for the students at Samford University. Ben will continue in his pastoral duties at Cornerstone through March 15, 2023. Between now and then, we will have opportunities to hear from Ben about his work with RUF at Samford and to give the whole Griffith clan a proper Cornerstone send off.
In the weeks to come, I will share more about the steps we’re beginning to take to help fill the big shoes that Ben leaves behind. For now, I would simply ask you to pray for and love on the Griffiths. As excited as they are about the work of RUF at Samford, the Griffiths are very sad to leave Cornerstone. Your love and prayers over the next four and a half months will mean the world to them as they prepare to answer the new call God has placed on their life.
Your servant,
