Pastor James “Jim” Bzoskie, the founder of Corner Bible Church, died last week. Bzoskie was a pillar of the community, meeting regularly with Hastings police and fire departments and Dakota County Sheriff’s Office to provide chaplain services for the past 40 years.
Bzoskie was a regular face at events across the community, from leading water stops at Gobble Gait to the annual Give Thanks Concert at Cornerstone to coordinating volunteer events through the church, such as Bible studies at the Dakota County Jail.
Bzoskie died while at Corner Bible Church after helping a driver get her car out of a snowbank after it spun out, a scene that is indicative of the way Bzoskie lived.
“It’s not surprising,” said Dakota County Sherrif Joe Leko. “He died helping someone.”
Bzoskie was at the church late Friday night preparing for the jail “packing” event that he created decades ago that brought “goodie” bags to Dakota County Jail inmates for Christmas. Bzoskie often hand-delivered the bags containing candy, snacks and positive affirmations to inmates during the holiday season.
The program was one of many volunteer programs at the Dakota County Jail that was either founded or spearheaded by Bzoskie, including work with Alcoholics Anonymous and other substance abuse groups that met in the jail as well as volunteer chaplain work between a number of churches that worked with inmates.
In 2023, Bzoskie was named volunteer of the year by the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association, in part for his work in the Dakota County Jail and the Dakoka County Sheriff’s Office which began in 1979.
“He is instrumental in our jail programs facilitating inmate church services, Bible study, parenting and anger management classes among others. He gives hope to those who desperately need it. He is also a resource for our staff. We lean on him heavily for support and guidance as we navigate through work and personal lives. He is always there. Since he began 44 years ago, there have been over 1,100 hires in the Sheriff’s Office. He has touched every one of them,” said Leko at the event.
Across the community, Bzoskie’s leadership and compassion were remarked upon just hours after his death was announced.
“Pastor Jim was an incredible community leader, providing unsurpassed guidance and goodness; always present, always encouraging […] Personally, he was a mentor, a friend, someone who led by example the good you can do by simply showing up with purpose, passion and love. Hastings Family Service and our entire community will never be the same because of him and will never be the same without him,” said Amy Sutton, Hastings Family Service Executive Director on Saturday in a Facebook post.
“Pastor Jim was one of a kind. He was selfless in all of his acts. I will miss his gentleness, his support, encouragement, prayers, but most of all I will miss his early Monday morning texts of psalms and leadership affirmation,” said Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender.
“His advocacy, kindness, and unwavering support for our programs and community will be deeply missed. We are grateful for his service and the lasting impact he made on Hastings,” said Hastings Community Education in a Facebook post.
Bzoskie was a long-time member of the Community Education Advisory Council.
Bzoskie’s work could be seen far beyond Hastings, with Bzoskie providing numerous invocations at the capitol in St. Paul where he served as a guest chaplain multiple times.
Bzoskie attended Kingsway University and Theological Seminary before founding Corner Bible Church on July 1, 1983.
Cornerstone’s mission was always focused on sharing the gospel widely in a way that was accessible.
“Our main purpose is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone, in a clear and simple way, so that all who hear and understand its message can come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ and accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior,” according to Cornerstone Bible Church’s website.
Bzoskie served as senior pastor there until his death.
Bruce Karnick contributed to this story.