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

    STUDENT MINISTRIES DIRECTOR

    Colton moved to Buffalo in October of 2017 and has loved becoming invested in the culture of a city that revolves around pizza and wings. Growing up in Virginia he somehow became a passionate Indianapolis Colts fan, lover of video games and comics, and loves to fish. He has served in different youth ministry contexts for many years now.


    In his time working at a camp, Colton developed a heart for youth ministry and is now pursuing God’s calling for his life with the opportunity to serve the youth of Cornerstone. One of his favorite verses is Ephesians 2:10 “This verse reminds me of part of the purpose I serve here on earth as a servant of Christ to reflect him and do God’s works.”



  • vinh nguyen

    sports director

    Vinh Nguyen moved to Western New York in August of 2017. He moved to the area from Southern Illinois (about 15 minutes from St. Louis, MO so he’s naturally a Cardinals fan). He is currently working on his PhD specializing in New Testament Greek and Linguistics. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry from Ouachita Baptist University and an MA in Biblical Languages from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.


    Vinh has been married to his wife Michele since July of 2010. They met in Southern Illinois where they both lived for over twenty years before relocating to Arkansas. They have three little girls, Alli (6) and Autumn (4)  and Karis (2). Before moving to Louisiana, Vinh served as a pastoral intern and college pastor at Crossgate Church in Hot Springs, AR. He then went on to serve as a Student Pastor while in seminary at First Baptist Church Westwego.


    Vinh is passionate about ministry and enjoys teaching and preaching to students and adults alike. “I want to help make disciples who will keep making disciples for the Kingdom of God. I love developing leaders and equipping them to use their talents and gifts to glorify God in service of the church.” His life verse is Micah 6:8.


    In his spare time (ha!), Vinh enjoys spending time with his daughters, fishing, hunting, playing sports, backpacking (basically anything outdoors). He also loves to read, study biblical languages, do biblical research, and write. His life is dedicated to equipping effective leaders for the local church, so that, the bride of Christ will be ready, adorned and ready to receive her groom.


    Contact Vinh at vinh@cornerstonechurch.life