Jerry Ernst
Pastor
Youth Directors
Kalvari Kershner
Kids Ministry Director
Emily Carter
Nursery Coordinator
Ross Carter
Worship Leader
Mary Elder
Choir Director
Laurey Grogg
PeaceMeal Coordinator
Lori Wilkes
Building Administrator
Angie Simmons
Administrative Assistant
Al Allender
Financial Secretary
Emily Carter serves as the Nursery Coordinator. Emily feels called to share God’s love with children and teach them His ways (Proverbs 22:6). She feels blessed to serve in this area of ministry and is excited to see how she can be used to further His kingdom. Emily is also on staff at the Fredericktown Christian Preschool.
Currently the Children’s Ministry Director, Kalvari is always ready to share the love of Jesus with children of all ages within the church and the community. Kalvari and her team of volunteers bring the Bible to life through an interactive skit that the children get to participate in each week. She uses her gift of creativity to help the children understand God’s word and how much He loves each of them. Witnessing the children growing in their faith brings Kalvari great joy.
Brian and Julie Zimmerman have served in youth ministry as a couple since 2020. In addition to being the Youth Ministry Directors, Brian is also a full-time researcher at The Ohio State University, working with non-game fish and Julie is a full-time high school visual art teacher in Utica. They both enjoy the outdoors, animals, and visiting new places. They are passionate about introducing students to Jesus and empowering the next generation of Christ-centered disciples. Walking alongside youth as they navigate their own faith journey brings joy to both Brian and Julie.
Pastor Jerry Ernst joined Cornerstone Community Church as the Senior Pastor on July 1, 2023. Pastor Jerry was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where his father, Rev. J. Richard Ernst, was a pastor in The Wesleyan Church. Jerry sensed a call to witness to his high school classmates after his salvation experience at age 16. Pastor Jerry has served in various types of ministry since the age of 18 when he joined an evangelistic Christian Rock band which traveled the USA, ministering to over 500,000 young people in school assemblies.
Pastor Ernst has been in full-time pastoral ministry since 1995, where he has served as youth pastor, inner-city church planter, and senior pastor for five previous churches (KY, WV, and Ohio) before starting at Cornerstone Community Church. Jerry’s passion in ministry is sharing Jesus, preaching, developing leaders through leadership training, vision casting and motivating people and churches to follow Christ with fervency. He enjoys running, coaching, camping, shoes, BMX bikes, playing the drums, hamburgers, Chinese food & connecting with people of all ages. Jerry has a heart for the “outsider” who knows nothing about the goodness of Jesus Christ.
Jerry has been married to his wife, Abbey, for over 28 years. She has been a valuable help-mate in ministry with her own leadership abilities and skills (Counselor & Social Worker – MA in Counseling; MSW, LISW). They have three young adult children, Gabe, Harper, and Josiah.
Jerry is a graduate of Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School (Iowa), Indiana Wesleyan University (B.A. Christian Ministries), and Asbury Theological Seminary (M. Div.). His life verses are from Matthew 9:35-38 where Jesus says, “The Harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”