Cornerstone Baptist Church began in January 1993 as a Bible Study Group meeting at a Funeral Home in Valdese, North Carolina. It began as a dream of a few men and women who were praying and each week saw their numbers increasing.
Services were moved to an old grocery store on Lovelady Road in February 1993. After long hard hours of labor, the members had renovated the store building into a place for Bible Study and Worship.
On June 6, 1993, Cornerstone Baptist Church was organized with 60 charter members and 10 children. Serving as Interim Pastor was Rev. Lawrence Carroll until Rev. Rob Evans was called as it's first full-time pastor.
In February 1996, Rev. Bill Abrams was called as Interim Pastor and in October 1996 was called as Senior Pastor. The Holy Spirit has blessed the various ministries of the church, and the Lord has added many unto the fellowship.
In November 1996, the church selected a Building Committee and purchased 13 acres of property off Highway 70 East in Valdese. This property was sold in 1999 to assist with the purchase of 20 acres of land on Lovelady Road. The land has been paid in full.
In May 1998, the church voted to conduct a Capital Fund Raising Program, Together We Build. Since its inception over $250,000 has been deposited into the account and used in paying for the First Unit Building.
Through many prayers and determination with a vision from God, Pastor Abrams contacted Carpenters for Christ in September 2000. The leaders of Carpenters for Christ met with the church in December 2000 and later chose Cornerstone as their 20th church to be built, and the first in North Carolina. The Carpenters arrived on Wednesday, June 6, 2001 and began their work on Thursday, June 7. 139 Carpenters, representing 13 states, worked through Thursday, June 14. By the time the Carpenters left much had been accomplished on the 8700 sq. ft. building with exterior walls, and roof in place.(Read Article from "Biblical Recorder")
For the rest of the year 2001, the Building Committee of Cornerstone continued to lead the church in completing the First Unit Building. Many volunteers have come from near and afar to provide a labor of love, while others have given sacrifically to purchase furnishings. In the midst of building the new church, Janet Berry was called as the Minister of Music in November 2001. The Church Family moved into the new facility on February 24, 2002. Cornerstone Baptist Church was dedicated to God on March 17, 2002 during a special dedication service with more than 300 people in attendance. To God Be the Glory!
In Summer 2003, Pastor Bill was given another calling from God, and moved to pastor a church in eastern NC. Thank you Pastor Bill for all that you have done in His service and for Cornerstone Baptist Church.
A Pastor Search Committee was formed. God led Rev. Bob Shepherd to us, and us to him. As Interim Pastor for about one year, Pastor Bob spiritually led Cornerstone Baptist Church, and did not let us stand still, but continually taught us, challenged us and loved us. He is a man who will always be held in a very special place in the hearts of the entire church family! Thank you, Pastor Bob for all that you have done for us.
After much praying, hard work and faith in God, Rev. Ande Myers was unanimously affirmed by the church family on October 24, 2004 as the new Pastor for Cornerstone Baptist Church! PRAISE TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! He joined us with his wife, Michelle, and sons, Daniel and Andrew. A new and exciting chapter in the life of Cornerstone Baptist Church begins!
CLICK HERE for some information from and about Pastor Ande and his family.
