Cornerstone Festival Draws 16,000 Campers

By Stan Friedman

BUSHNELL, IL (July 7, 2005) - The weather was literally dry as dust, but more than 16,000 campers descended upon this small community in south central Illinois last week to celebrate their faith with music of all genres, in-depth seminars and reunions with old friends at the Cornerstone Festival.

The event, which was held Thursday through Sunday, has been produced annually (since 1984) by Jesus People USA Covenant Church (JPUSA) and is considered one of the premier Christian festivals in the country. A virtual tent city springs up overnight, with campers from around the world spreading out across the more than 500 acres of property owned by the church.

"Cornerstone actually is a number of Cornerstones in one," says Mike Hertenstein, of JPUSA. Subcultures representing punk and hardcore music fans to aging Jesus Movement members from the 1970s have met at festivals over the years and return to reunite. It is the only time many will see each other during the year. Some have been returning nearly every year since the festival's inception. (Top photo shows participants dancing to the sounds of the internationally acclaimed Celtic group, The Crossing, which is part of JPUSA.)

Exposing Christians to diversity is one of the most important reasons for bringing youth groups to the festival, says Tim Ramgren, youth pastor at Broadway Covenant Church in Rockford, Illinois. Having attended the festival several times himself, Ramgren brought a youth group for the first time. "A lot of people you look at - and the first reaction you have - is that person can't be a Christian," he says. "It opens their eyes to see we're all saved under his grace"

Music is a primary draw. Top acts including Third Day, Switchfoot, TobyMac and Jars of Clay performed throughout the week. Cornerstone continued its tradition of introducing many new acts as well as offering a venue for crowd favorites that don't generally get airplay on Christian radio stations. Music stages are set up throughout the grounds.

"Cornerstone is the festival for the more alternative music," says Ramgren. "Most of the other ones don't have the fringe stuff."

Cornerstone is far more than a music festival, however. Seminars as varied as the music are offered. Topics included maintaining sexual purity, the theology of Kierkegaard, and biblical justice. John E. Phelan Jr., president of North Park Theological Seminary, spoke in the "gender revolution" tent, focusing on biblical equality and other issues involving relationships.

High school students participated in seminars and worship geared specifically for them. Ramgren remarked that his students thought one of the worship bands was one of the best they ever heard. Ramgren says he is considering making the festival part of a three-year rotation of summer events that also could include CHIC and mission trips.

The festival also celebrates the creative arts. Painters, sculptors, writers and filmmakers all have the opportunity to explore their craft more deeply as well as share their work with festival-goers. (Lower photo shows one of the more interesting art pieces displayed.)

The unpredictable weather always has been part of the Cornerstone experience. This year, festival goers enjoyed a break in the unseasonably hot weather that broke with the beginning of the event. The drought conditions that have plagued the area made for dusty conditions, however. Some attendees resorted to wearing bandanas over their mouths and noses to protect them from the dust.

(Editor's note: to see more photos from this event, please see Cornerstone Festival.)

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