Meet Jay Taylor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jay Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jay, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears by Mark Batterson

I loved reading this book and gaining a deeper understanding of prayer and, in turn, making a more consistent practice of prayer. Along with an entrepreneurial mind comes the willingness to be a professional problem solver. However, with that comes the tendency to feel like you are always in control and can “make something happen.” This book helped me cast my worries and my plans on God – who is ultimately in control and knows the plans He has for me.

Having faith often looks crazy. A shepherd boy named David looked crazy taking on Goliath with a slingshot. Noah looked crazy building a boat in the middle of the desert. Peter looked crazy getting out of a boat in the middle of the sea. However, in order to experience His miracles, we have to take risks.

There are particular times in my life when the Holy Spirit has prompted me during prayer to do something that seemed crazy. One of those particular times was six years ago when God called my wife and I to move across the country from Idaho to South Carolina. No family there. No friends there. No job there. But we answered the call and are grateful for the many blessings placed in our lives. In fact, Cornerstone Charter wouldn’t exist without that leap of faith.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Cornerstone Charter exists to provide a fun day on the water for children battling health conditions and special needs. I founded the organization because I have always had a heart those children and wanted to bless them with an opportunity to forget about their hardships and their struggles. Being on the boat and on the water has always brought me so much joy, and I knew it could bring the same joy, smiles, and laughter to children and families that need it most. It’s pretty hard to have a bad day on a boat!

As a non-profit organization, our mission is only possible thanks to our generous sponsors – businesses and individuals. In addition to the many sponsored trips we do each year, we also operate as a traditional boat charter service. However, what makes us different, is any time a trip is booked, we give a trip to a child and family. This “Book a Trip, Give a Trip” program is an additional fundraising method to help expand our mission and reach more children.

I am very excited about the future of Cornerstone Charter. In our short three years of operation, we have provided more sponsored trips every season and continue to add more Community Partners to our programs. Community Partners are other local organizations that are also serving the same population – we are able to come alongside their programs and offer boat trips to their clients and the many families they assist.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on this journey is that giving can bring more joy than receiving. I set out to bless these children with a fun day on the water, and by the end of the day I am feeling more blessed than them. Giving reflects our Christlikeness and offers a way to live out the gospel with our resources. Giving also develops our character, fostering selflessness and countering the natural tendency toward self-centeredness. When we readily give of our time, talents, and treasure, we step beyond our little world and serve others. Lastly, when we give, we express satisfaction in what God has provided us and acknowledge Him as the ultimate provider.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Charleston has a lot to offer, which is why it makes so many travel destination lists! However, if you’re in town for a few days here are my “must-do’s”: 1. I may be a bit biased, but you have to see Charleston from the water with a Harbor boat cruise. From multiple marinas with hundreds of millions worth of yachts to historic downtown to the famous Shem Creek, there is so much to see. My favorite stop in Shem Creek is Red’s Ice House which has a chill, on-the-water bar feel with great food and live music.
2. I would also take them to Folly Beach for that classic, laid-back, come-as-you-are beach town. The plethora of food and drink spots up and down center street paired with the large beach areas miles long make Folly Beach a definite stop.
3. If you’re anything like me and from an area with poor-quality, previously-frozen fish and chips, then I am taking you to the CODfather for the best fish and chips in town.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I want to thank God! His path, although windy, rocky, and full of challenges, has provided me with the resources to carry out the mission of Cornerstone Charter. Second, I never could have accomplished what I have personally and professionally without the support of my wife, Chelsey. She is the glue that holds our family together and has sacrificed her own ambitions to help me with my ambitions. We got married young, at the ages of 20 and 21, and built our lives together as a selfless team.

Website: https://www.cornerstonecharter.org/

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