Cornerstone welcomes a new pastor

Pastor Michael Norby is pleased to be in Greenfield serving as Cornerstone Fellowship Church’s senior pastor.

Norby took on the position earlier this month. He was installed in a worship service Sunday, May 7. Ken Sidey was serving as interim pastor up until that point. He and his wife, Vicki, were thanked for their time of service that day also.

There were a few items that drew Norby to Greenfield.

“Seeing how passionate people are at Cornerstone for the gospel, Biblical truth and missions, both locally and to the world, is what drew my passion to come,” Norby said. “The town is also much bigger than what we were used to.”

Norby and his family come from the north central Iowa town of Radcliffe, where he was the youth/associate pastor of Faith Evangelical Church for 15 years. In that role, he preached some Sunday mornings and helped the senior pastor with nearly all of the ministries of the church.

Overall, the Radcliffe church’s goal was to prepare Norby to be able to take the next step someday in his ministry.

“As I got older, I became more interested in the family aspect, from top to bottom,” Norby said. “That grew my passion for the gospel impacting the whole family, so that’s why I thought a transition time could be coming.”

Norby identified three goals for Cornerstone’s ministry in the near future. The first is to start thinking more and more about church being a concept that isn’t bound to a physical building. In the spirit of meeting that goal, he was the preacher for Nodaway Valley’s baccalaureate service last week, addressing the seniors present about graduating with God’s grace.

“I love missions, so I want to go out and take some mission trips with our church and share the Good News with others,” Norby continued. “I also want to be able to show how God’s word is applicable today just as much as it was 2,000 plus years ago.”

Norby’s hobbies include barbecue and smoking meats, hunting, family activities and cheering on the Green Bay Packers. He and his wife, Michelle — who are both Racine, Wisconsin natives — have two sons: Maverick, 9, and Micah, 5.

“I’ve heard a lot of great things about Cornerstone in the community, which is neat. It’s neat to hear how Cornerstone is being a light to the community,” Norby said. “I’m looking forward to High Power Soccer this summer and for other opportunities that will reach families for the gospel.”

The church’s VBS, called High Power Soccer, is for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade in the evenings July 31-August 3 at the Nodaway Valley high school stadium. Information was expected to be sent home to parents through the school’s Friday folders this week.

Norby, whose family will reside in Greenfield, said his office at the church is always open to church members and the community.

The Norbys report they are excited to become a part of the Adair County community.

Cornerstone Fellowship Church is celebrating 25 years of ministry this year.