OUR STAFF

  • Jon Schuerholz

    Executive Pastor

    Jon was raised in a stable loving non-Christian home, thirty minutes outside New York City. Jon decided to trust Jesus Christ at fifteen after meeting a man who really loved JESUS. Jon went to Nyack College and studied bible, theology and religion. There Jon met his wife Esta and they were married in December 1988. They moved to Buffalo in 1991 to attend the University of Buffalo and then was called into fulltime ministry. Esta is an RN and works at Buffalo General Hospital. Jon and Esta have five adopted children.


    Jon was ordained in the fall of 1994 by the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Jon has served as a youth pastor associate pastor, lead pastor and as a regional church coach. Jon and Esta have lived on Grand Island since 2002. Jon has had numerous opportunities to serve in Africa and the Middle East.  Jon enjoys traveling, the outdoors, swimming in water of all kinds, the Buffalo Bills, British Television, History, reading and being with family. 


    Jon’s driving purpose and passion in life is to be and make disciples Jesus Christ



    You can contact Jon at jon@cornerstonechurch.life


  • Matthew pfeil

    ASsociate pastor

    After being an elementary PE teacher in Las Vegas for over a decade, Matt has returned to his hometown to help make disciples and drink Tim Horton's coffee. It was in Las Vegas where Matt met his wife Amy, came to faith in Christ, had 3 kids (Madelyn, Elizabeth, and Andrew), went to Seminary, and perfected his guacamole recipe.


    He is excited to walk alongside people, helping them to grow in their intimacy with Christ. His life verse is 1 Peter 315; ask him about it - he'd love to tell you why!


    Matt and Amy love spending time with their kids, which usually includes playing hide-and-seek, hot-and-cold, and trying to find the remote control after their youngest child hides it.


    You can contact Matt at matt@cornerstonechurch.life.


  • Donna linenfelser

    children's ministry director

    When she's not dressing up like a scarecrow or doing an interview as Fancy Grace, Donna is opening up the Word of God to show kids just how big Jesus is. She has been in Children’s Ministry for over 30 years. "I have had the opportunity to teach my own children, and now my grandchildren...what a blessing! I love planting seeds in the lives of the kids.”   

     

    Her life verse is Ephesians 4:32, because no one is perfect.

     

    With their kids grown and married, Donna and her husband Paul are “empty nesters” on Grand Island. When they DO get a chance to relax, they love taking off in their camper for the weekend.


    You can contact Donna at donna@cornerstonechurch.life.


  • sam eichel

    worship director

    Sam was born and raised in Grand Island, New York and grew up attending Cornerstone Church. He graduated from Houghton University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education. After realizing that public school teaching was not his passion, Sam began to see the Lord pointing him toward worship ministry. Over the next few months, he saw the Lord provide and put things in place which ultimately led to this position.


    Sam feels extremely blessed to be able to serve on staff at his home church where his family attends. “The events that led me here are a testament to the faithfulness of believers who have gone before me and the leaders who have poured into me.” 


    During his spare time, Sam enjoys reading, playing board games and watching the Bills, Sabres and the Yankees. You can contact Sam at sam@cornerstonechurch.life.



  • colton lackey

    pastor of student ministries

    Colton joined the staff at Cornerstone in 2019. While growing up in the church it was not until after High School that he truly gave his life to Christ. After this, Colton began to serve in various youth contexts that eventually led him to move away from Virginia to Buffalo. Colton met his wife Chloe after moving and they were married in 2021. Since being on staff at Cornerstone Colton has also graduated from Kairos University with a bachelor’s degree in Christian Thought and Practice, has been ordained through the North American Baptist Conference, and is now currently attending The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in pursuit of an MDiv.

     

    Some of Colton’s favorite hobbies are reading, watching football, and fishing. One of his favorite verses is Ephesians 2:10 “This verse reminds me of the purpose I serve here on earth, as a servant of Christ I have been called unto good works in order to glorify God.” 

     

    You can contact Colton at colton@cornerstonechurch.life