Originally from the Quad Cities, Illinois, Gene and Juli were married in August of 1990. Gene, a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, has a not so secret past as a long-haired rocker. Juli is a Registerd Nurse who when Gene cut his hair and went to Moody, went to work for a company specializing in Hair restoration. In 1997 Gene and Juli moved from Chicago to La Crosse, WI and started what is now Cornerstone Community Church. While living in La Crosse, Sam (now 9), and Spencer (now 7) joined the family. The years in La Crosse were full of discovering what it means to live in community with other people who are on the journey of knowing, experiencing and serving God together.
In 2005, following a brief detour through the Quad Cities, serving at Heritage Weslyan Church, following the death of Gene’s dad, the Reynolds decided to move to Madison. Gene and Juli, believe that the hope of the world is the hope that the Kingdom of God brings. For people who believe in God but have lost interest, lost hope in the church and organized religion, there should still be a chance to experience community as God intended it to be. This can happen when we discover TOGETHER what it means to live a life of faith in our day to day.
Since moving to Madison, Gene and Juli have committed to getting to know the community before determining what the ministry would “look like” as it becomes a part of the life of Madison. For a time, there was a team of people together for the purpose of beginning what we began to call a “network of neighborhood churches”. Due to various life circumstances many of the team members have relocated and Gene and Juli were brought to a place of rediscovering the mission that God has them on.
This season has been one of seeking God and redefining our values. Our call is certain. We are to continue on in carrying the good news of the Kingdom of God as best we understand it. Presently, the house in Madison is up for sale and plans are in the making for a move to Nashville, TN. In parntership with GTM Intl, theReynoldsFam will carry on same mission in different city. God willing.
Gene continues to pursue his music as a songwriter, and with guitar. Juli is currently pursuing a degree in Biblical Studies, and is working at the Madison Surgery Center. Sam and Spencer are Elementary School students. They play soccer, t-ball, basketball, swim and of course they love reading the most. -well some day, that may be the case!
Reynolds Family,
OK, time to confess my sins to one another….I frequent your websites to read and really enjoy what you write. I stumbled upon your blog some time ago (you know the friend of a friend of a friend thing we encounter on the web. ) But, I never confident enough to comment, or really don’t have the time in my lunch hour.
The latest discussion about being a part of a church has changed this. I consider myself a poster-boy for what can happen when one makes a commitment to God and tries to stay on the right path by himself. I found out the hard way (or easy way at the time) to go right back to the sin that I was in before I told Him I would live for Him alone. I can see now that it is much easier to stay on that path when I am surrounded by other people that keep me from the edge.
Well on another note, I rejoice that you guys are homeschooling. Lisa has been homeschooling our girls for I think 4 years now. The whole family considers it a blessing. I know she would be happy to talk to you about it. Our email is….
Bowmans2plus2@aol.com
Enough for now, my lunch is over.
God Bless,
Matt
God bless you 4 in your new journey!! I will be in prayer for you.
Let me know what email you prefer to use…I don’t see it on the webpage.
Thanks and remain blessed in perfect peace!
Love from the Quad Cities,
Jennifer Sergeant