Lay Elders
Mark Bartle
Mark has had the honor of attending Cornerstone since its beginning. He and Debby lead a Home Team, help with 222 Students, Kids Church, and are section hosts. Mark began his journey with the Lord as a child and later made a public profession of faith as a young teenager. After growing up in Columbia, Missouri he moved to Marion in 1992. Mark’s passion for Cornerstone is to always find new ways to reach more people for Christ while continuing to love and minister to the ones that are already a part of Cornerstone. Mark is a Senior Vaccine Specialist for Merck & Co. His interests include his family, photography, cycling, weightlifting, woodworking, hunting and fishing.
Gorden Montgomery
Gorden preached the very first Cornerstone sermon ten years ago! He and Shirley are original Home Team leaders at the Marion Campus. Gorden grew up in Southern Illinois and gave his life to the Lord around age 12. His passion is to see the church stay focused on Jesus Christ. He is also an integral part of the missions ministry here at Cornerstone. He has led trips, in coordination with his non-profit ministry Farming God's Way, to Haiti and Venezuela. Professionally Gorden and Shirley are the owners of AgriLife. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren, golfing, fishing, and traveling.
Brett Sapp
Brett also serves as the Celebrate Recovery Pastor at Cornerstone Church. He and his wife Janet attend the Johnston City Campus.
Stan Stout
Stan was born and raised in Marion and was saved at the age of 13. He served on the founding planning team of Cornerstone and has been a part of Cornerstone since the first service! Stan and Erika also serve in the Children’s Ministry on the Security Team and have truly enjoyed being Home Team leaders in Season Two at the Marion Campus. Stan loves Home Teams and the opportunity that they provide for adults to form lasting friendships and to deepen their relationship with God. Stan is a math teacher at Marion High School and his interests include playing with his children, hanging out with Erika, golf, bow hunting and cooking!
Jason Thrash
Jason and his family began attending Cornerstone a few months before the start of the West Frankfort Campus. He and Pam lead one of the original Home Teams at the Johnston City Campus. Jason also serves on the multi-media/sound team, and as a leader in Kids Church at the Johnston City Campus. Jason moved to southern Illinois in 1992 after growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jason came to know the Lord at age 8. Jason loves that Cornerstone has open arms for anyone and everyone and is willing to step out of the box to reach new people (even if it may be a little over the top!). Jason enjoys sports, hunting, fishing, cooking and coaching his kids’ sports teams. He is employed by the Mike Dover Corporation in Human Resources and Safety.
Bob Wright
Bob grew up in Marion and now resides with his beautiful wife and three kids in Carterville. He accepted Jesus at the age of 6. He has been at Cornerstone since 2006 and served as a Home Team Leader during Seasons 2 and 3. Bob also serves in the worship band, sound booth, children's ministry, and actively participates in our local mission outreach projects. During our Feed Johnston City project, Bob coordinated all of the teams that canvassed every home in Johnston City. Bob is the Vice President of Production at DxR Development Group, Inc. His interests include his family, music, reading, technology, cycling, camping, hiking, and photography.