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If you have been at church in the past month, you have likely noticed a young firecracker of a leader leading us in worship each week. Josh and his wife Laura joined the Cornerstone community at the beginning of August and they have made a huge difference already.

Josh works full-time in Downtown Vancouver and lives in Port Coquitlam. Josh and Laura are excited to get to know more of the people at Cornerstone and to be a part of welcoming those who are going to come.

In the meantime, Josh was gracious to let us into his life a bit. He answered these questions for us:

You look quite young, when is your birthday?

October 2, 1992.

What is your favourite food?

Sushi, particularly anything with raw salmon but there are so many good choices at a Japanese restaurant. A very close second is Pho.

What is your favourite movie?

The Departed. Over the top as usual for a Scorsese film but loved the gritty and deep characters and the complex dynamics between them.

How did you meet your wife?

We met at youth group at Coquitlam Alliance Church (back when Jon Morrison aka “Jonny Mo” was the youth pastor). Although we initially met at youth, we properly got to know each other at Camp Qwanoes where we did the Counselor in Training program together.

What do you appreciate most about her?

She’s the most beautiful person I know. When I say beautiful, I don’t mean purely on the physical level. Everything about her character, heart and intellect inspire me and I’m so grateful that I get to be the man that gets to love her and have the closest human relationship with her.

If you could have coffee with one person in history, who would it be?

At the moment, Albert Einstein since I’ve always been meaning to learn the theory of relativity but haven’t gotten around to it. If I’m sitting in front of Albert Einstein I’d feel inclined to finally put some time towards it.

How did you come to know Jesus and what difference does he make in your life?

I was born and raised in a Christian home which made a large impact in the foundation of my relationship with Jesus.

Being raised in that environment allowed the Bible to be the centre of my worldview and opened my heart and mind towards the life God had for me. As I grew older and began to critically think about my worldview, Christianity always stood as the most sensible and life-giving.

Every day I am learning to completely submit myself to Jesus as the Lord of my life. My relationship with Jesus has exposed truth in my life and has lead me to follow his way instead of my own sinful nature.

What do you appreciate most about worship through music?

The role of music in worship is truly beautiful. God has provided such an amazing gift that stirs the heart, mind and soul. Music can move us physically, provide emotions and even unify people from diverse generations and cultures.

This is why I believe worship in music is so important for the Church and the Christian life. No matter where we’re coming from during our weeks, we can be united with our brothers and sisters and worship God as one body. Music provides that unity and also provides an outlet where worshippers can learn to grow and excel in the action.

Personally, it allows myself to pour everything I have to praise God and to become better in my action of worshipping.

What are you dreaming about seeing happen at Cornerstone?

I really hope and pray that Cornerstone continues to place worship as a critical part of the life of its people. That the desire to glorify God

That the desire to glorify God influences, inspires and transforms all the ministries that the church will partake. That people will see that we do what we do simply because it is a response to what God has done for us.

And that our corporate worship times will be unifying and spiritually rejuvenating as we get to sing praises with one voice.

Thank you, Josh and Laura, for joining our community. We are excited to have you and look forward t to watching God use you as you lead.