Staff & Leadership

Meet our Lead Pastor
Chris VandeLinde serves as the Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Christian Church. Under Chris' leadership, Cornerstone is passionate about seeing people connected to Jesus and their lives transformed, both locally and globally. He is known for his creative approach to teaching and presenting the Bible. Chris, his wife, Nicole and their two children are grateful to live this close to baseball heaven.
Meet the Team

Micah Balu
Student Minister
Joined Team: June 2018
Hometown: Florissant, Missouri
Alma Mater: Ozark Christian College (2018)
Favorite Things: Toasted ravioli, Cardinal baseball, and all things St. Louis.
Hometown: Florissant, Missouri
Alma Mater: Ozark Christian College (2018)
Favorite Things: Toasted ravioli, Cardinal baseball, and all things St. Louis.

Brittany Bear
Children's Minister
Joined Team: February 2020
Hometown: Greenville, Ohio
Alma Mater: St. Louis Christian College (2014)
Favorite Things: Drinking multiple cups of coffee, rewatching Gilmore Girls, spending quality time with people, or listening to Harry Potter on Audible.
Hometown: Greenville, Ohio
Alma Mater: St. Louis Christian College (2014)
Favorite Things: Drinking multiple cups of coffee, rewatching Gilmore Girls, spending quality time with people, or listening to Harry Potter on Audible.

Ben Browning
Worship Minister
Joined Team: June 2019
Hometown: Washington, Illinois
Alma Mater: Lincoln Christian University (2004)
Favorite Things: Good projects, plenty of laughter, and a great cup of coffee
Hometown: Washington, Illinois
Alma Mater: Lincoln Christian University (2004)
Favorite Things: Good projects, plenty of laughter, and a great cup of coffee

Torri Davis
Ministry Team Admin
Joined Team: April 2017
Hometown: Troy, Illinois
Alma Mater: Liberty University (2009)
Favorite Things: Being with her family, sarcasm, photography, and binge watching TV shows.
Hometown: Troy, Illinois
Alma Mater: Liberty University (2009)
Favorite Things: Being with her family, sarcasm, photography, and binge watching TV shows.

Lisa Engelman
Executive Administrative Assistant
Joined Team: January 2013
Hometown: Decatur, Illinois
Favorite Things: Spending time with her two children, knitting, and watching SLU Men's Basketball and the St. Louis Cardinals.
Hometown: Decatur, Illinois
Favorite Things: Spending time with her two children, knitting, and watching SLU Men's Basketball and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Josh Kinney
Pastor of Mobilization
Joined Team: March 2008
Hometown: Suburban Atlanta, Georgia
Alma Mater(s): St. Louis Christian College (2008), Cincinnati Christian University (2012)
Favorite Things: Spending time with his family, volunteer coaching for youth sports, and watching/attending any sports event (he is a diehard Georgia Bulldogs football fan).
Hometown: Suburban Atlanta, Georgia
Alma Mater(s): St. Louis Christian College (2008), Cincinnati Christian University (2012)
Favorite Things: Spending time with his family, volunteer coaching for youth sports, and watching/attending any sports event (he is a diehard Georgia Bulldogs football fan).

Taylar Knight
Worship Minister
Joined Team: September 2021
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Alma Mater(s): St. Louis Christian College (2016)
Favorite Things: Quality time with family and friends, reading mystery books, drinking chai lattes, rewatching Friends or playing The Sims.
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Alma Mater(s): St. Louis Christian College (2016)
Favorite Things: Quality time with family and friends, reading mystery books, drinking chai lattes, rewatching Friends or playing The Sims.

Vicki McGee
Financial Administrator
Joined Team: December 2010
Hometown: Pittsfield, Illinois
Alma Mater(s): St. Louis Christian College, Hickey Business School
Favorite Things: Cooking, reading books, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Hometown: Pittsfield, Illinois
Alma Mater(s): St. Louis Christian College, Hickey Business School
Favorite Things: Cooking, reading books, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Brian McGrew
Facilities Supervisor
Joined Team: July 2013
Hometown: Belleville, Illinois
Favorite Things: Spending time with family
Hometown: Belleville, Illinois
Favorite Things: Spending time with family
Kaitlyn Strunk
Student Connections Minister
Joined Team: January 2022
Hometown: Clearwater, Florida
Alma Mater: Johnson University (2022)
Favorite Things: Exploring, drinking iced coffee, superheroes, and goats
Hometown: Clearwater, Florida
Alma Mater: Johnson University (2022)
Favorite Things: Exploring, drinking iced coffee, superheroes, and goats

Josh Mehrle
Pastor of Operations
Joined Team: May 2014
Hometown: Florissant, Missouri
Alma Mater(s): St. Louis Christian College (2001), Fontbonne University (2009), Maryville University (2011)
Favorite Things: Smoking meat on his Traeger, home improvement projects, spending time with his three daughters, and reading with a good cup of coffee.
Hometown: Florissant, Missouri
Alma Mater(s): St. Louis Christian College (2001), Fontbonne University (2009), Maryville University (2011)
Favorite Things: Smoking meat on his Traeger, home improvement projects, spending time with his three daughters, and reading with a good cup of coffee.

Seth Scantlin
Tech Minister
Joined Team: October 2020
Hometown: Shelbina, Missouri
Alma Mater: Ozark Christian College (2017)
Favorite Things: Wings and pizza are favorites together. Play pick up sports, disc golf. Woodworking/home improvement projects and playing guitar. Watching KC Chiefs Football or Cardinals Baseball, Star Wars/Lord of the Rings.
Hometown: Shelbina, Missouri
Alma Mater: Ozark Christian College (2017)
Favorite Things: Wings and pizza are favorites together. Play pick up sports, disc golf. Woodworking/home improvement projects and playing guitar. Watching KC Chiefs Football or Cardinals Baseball, Star Wars/Lord of the Rings.

Dusty Schulz
Children's Minister
Joined Team: January 2019
Hometown: Mountain View, Missouri
Alma Mater: Ozark Christian College (2020)
Favorite Things: Running, sharks, and being with people.
Hometown: Mountain View, Missouri
Alma Mater: Ozark Christian College (2020)
Favorite Things: Running, sharks, and being with people.

Felicia Severson
Communications Director
Joined Team: January 2023
Hometown: Webb City, Missouri
Alma Mater(s): Ozark Christian College (2016) Moody Bible Institute (2020)
Favorite Things: Dr. Pepper or Chai Tea, Spending time with People, Trying new things, Planes & Sports: St Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers & Notre Dame Football.
Hometown: Webb City, Missouri
Alma Mater(s): Ozark Christian College (2016) Moody Bible Institute (2020)
Favorite Things: Dr. Pepper or Chai Tea, Spending time with People, Trying new things, Planes & Sports: St Louis Cardinals, Green Bay Packers & Notre Dame Football.

Tiffany Snyder-Schulz
Graphic Designer & Photographer
Joined Team: April 2016
Hometown: Mililani, Hawaii
Alma Mater(s): Southwestern Illinois College (2015), Liberty University Online (2018)
Favorite Things: Visiting local coffee shops, reading good books, and appreciating all things cozy!
Hometown: Mililani, Hawaii
Alma Mater(s): Southwestern Illinois College (2015), Liberty University Online (2018)
Favorite Things: Visiting local coffee shops, reading good books, and appreciating all things cozy!

Raydean Stuckey
Operations Administrator
Joined Team: February 2009
Hometown: Carthage, Missouri
Alma Mater(s): Southwestern Illinois College, McKendree Universtity (2012)
Favorite Things: Reading, being on the beach, and spending time with her husband and family.
Hometown: Carthage, Missouri
Alma Mater(s): Southwestern Illinois College, McKendree Universtity (2012)
Favorite Things: Reading, being on the beach, and spending time with her husband and family.

Kathy Warren
Receptionist
Joined Team: February 2014
Hometown: Fairview Heights, Illinois
Favorite Things: Time with friends and family, reading, and movies.
Hometown: Fairview Heights, Illinois
Favorite Things: Time with friends and family, reading, and movies.

Patrick Wheeler
Pastor of Ministries
Joined Team: November 2016
Hometown: Derby, Kansas
Alma Mater(s): Ozark Christian College (2009), Lincoln Christian University (2019)
Favorite Things: Watching The Office, all things sports, drinking Arizona Sweet Tea, and hanging out with his daughters.
Hometown: Derby, Kansas
Alma Mater(s): Ozark Christian College (2009), Lincoln Christian University (2019)
Favorite Things: Watching The Office, all things sports, drinking Arizona Sweet Tea, and hanging out with his daughters.

Cathy Wright
Pastoral Care Minister
Joined Team: January 1977
Hometown: Oakley, Kansas
Alma Mater: Manhattan Christian College
Favorite Things: Grandbabies, gardening, and being outside in her yard.
Hometown: Oakley, Kansas
Alma Mater: Manhattan Christian College
Favorite Things: Grandbabies, gardening, and being outside in her yard.
Cornerstone Residents
Cornerstone has a big heart for pouring into the next generation of ministry workers.
For this reason, a constant flow of residents have been working around the church since 2017.
For this reason, a constant flow of residents have been working around the church since 2017.

Adam Herbert
Kids Ministry Resident
Timeline: January 2023-
Hometown: Shiloh,Illinos
Alma Mater: Ozark Christian College(2022)
Favorite things: Coffee, St. Louis Cardinals, going to motorsports events, and being outdoors.
Hometown: Shiloh,Illinos
Alma Mater: Ozark Christian College(2022)
Favorite things: Coffee, St. Louis Cardinals, going to motorsports events, and being outdoors.
Is Residency the right option for you?
If you are interested in gaining hands-on ministry experience, college credits, and guidance in ministry job-hunting, check out the information on Cornerstone's Residency program
Meet our Elders
As an Independent Christian Church, Cornerstone is staff led, but is overseen by a team of elders that is comprised of members of the church body who meet the qualifications for Elders found in 1 Timothy 3, and Titus 1.

Jeremy Clanin

Jeff Doane

Steve Entrekin

Ron Fleming

Mark Garst

Ron Langford
