Archive for September, 2009

by Matt Kimbrell, October, 2008

Memorial Day weekend 2003 I walked onto Etzel Avenue to start my new job as the latest in a long line of managers for Cornerstone Corporation. I had applied for the position after reading the job description in the “Tucket,” the community newsletter for Grace and Peace Fellowship.

Being a newly-relocated seminarian with a desire to see redemption reach into broken homes and neighborhoods, I signed up for what I thought would be a temporary job, a job that would no doubt give me some valuable ministry exposure and a way to pay for school. But the past six years have given me far more that that. For six years I have been given an exciting front-row seat to the brick and mortar reality of God’s work of restoring that which is broken about our world—both relationally and structurally.

One of the key players in my development as a laborer in the kingdom is Richard Lammers, an eager, energetic example of one who serves without complaining or grumbling—one who labors often without any recognition. For over ten years Richard has faithfully served Cornerstone with his encyclopedic knowledge of property maintenance and his jam-packed van stuffed with tools and as any rehabber knows, the right tool for the job makes all the difference. And there has rarely been a moment where Richard hasn’t said, “I’ve got one of those in my van.”

For six years God has allowed me to be his student not simply in the wily arts of rehabbing old buildings, but more importantly in the compassionate work of caring for families. I am indeed grateful and consider it a great privilege to work with my dear friend Richard. An interesting fun fact: Richard and I are both graduates from Covenant College and Covenant Seminary.

(In November 2008 the Cornerstone Board hosted a dinner in honor of Richard’s many faithful years of service to Cornerstone.)