by Lauren Honigford

With the threat of decreased enrollment, declining economy and a long list of necessary budget changes, Joe Stowell has had a full plate since day one.

He has chosen to take things in stride, and is trusting God every step of the way.

“I feel like a student because this has been a year of learning for me. I’ve also been a builder because we’ve had to build some things this year, too,” Stowell said. “I even feel like ‘Mr. Fix-it’ because we’ve had to fix a lot this year, too.”

A former Chicago resident, Stowell and his wife, Martie, were unsure of what to expect when they moved to Grand Rapids. They had resided in Farmington Hills before, but were unaware of what West Michigan had to offer.

“It’s like it’s a nation by itself with its own culture. God has blessed this area with highly resourced Christian families who are generous and want to use the resources God has given them to advance His kingdom,” Stowell said. “I don’t know if I have seen a greater Christian wealth than here.”

Stowell admitted that the unique dynamics of the Grand Rapids area allowed him to establish a standard for how things needed to be run around Cornerstone.

“At the core of this place, there is a real spiritual hunger on campus,” Stowell said. “We have great students here, and great faculty who truly love the Lord and the students.”

Despite these positives though, Stowell still faced the pressure of a global economic meltdown as he approached his first year as president.

“In September, I felt like I was watching a tsunami approaching from over my shoulder,” he said.

After some hard work with budget adjustments, and an increase in enrollment for fall 2010, things seem to be looking up. Stowell said that he did not feel that the university was in trouble, but realized with the current state of the economy, trouble was right around the corner.

“Our vital signs are good; it’s just a matter of keeping them good,” he said. “We need to prepare for any uncertainties coming around the corner as best as we can.”

Marc Fowler, executive vice president and chief operations officer felt similarly about Cornerstone’s current condition under Stowell’s leadership.

“This has been a very positive year of forward movement in terms of strategic direction, new initiatives, new cabinet members, renewed spiritual emphasis, reconnection with churches and Christian high schools and new identity, mission and vision statements that crystallize our new season with Stowell,” Fowler said.

Stowell feels the strong human capital on campus gives him hope for a promising future for Cornerstone. The encouragement and support that he has received from both staff and students has also helped him to move forward as he continues to lead the university.

One of Stowell’s most memorable moments with Cornerstone thus far is his official announcement as president last year on Jan. 26.

“I remember looking into so many faces that day. I didn’t know them, and they didn’t know me,” Stowell said. “I remember thinking, ‘This is it, here we go. We’re going to do amazing things for God here.’”

Stowell knows that as he works hard and presses on, big things will continue to happen for both Cornerstone and, ultimately, Christ’s kingdom. Others agree he is the right man for the job.

“Stowell’s thrust of the new season is to make Jesus the center of all we do and say, to create a campus community that is spiritually contagious, and to develop all of us, faculty, staff and students, into more fully devoted followers of Jesus, to His glory, honor and praise,” Fowler said.