Staff & Leadership

Meet our Lead Pastor

Pastor Chris VandeLinde has been the lead pastor of Cornerstone since June of 2015. He grew up in Roanoke, Virginia and is a graduate of Johnson University (2000) where he met his lovely wife Nicole. He continued with a Master's program online with Hope International University (2011). He is passionate about leading others into a relationship with Christ and helping others grow in their personal, spiritual walk.

Chris and his wife have 2 children in college & high school. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family; watching, talking, and coaching sports; and listening to music.

Lead Team

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.

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.

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).

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.

Family 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.

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.

Chandler Key

Associate Student Minister

Joined Team: May 2025
Hometown: Monroe, GA
Alma Mater: Ozark Christian College (2023)
Favorite Things: Chicken Wings, Golf, All things Sports (Roll Tide), a good cup of coffee and exploring new cities

Kyla Wood

Associate Children's Minister

Joined Team: June 2024
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Alma Mater(s): Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville (2024); Ozark Christian College Online (Present)
Favorite Things: Family, friends, dad jokes, and traveling.

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.

Care Team

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.

Worship Team

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

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.

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.

Karen Garst

Live Experience Coordinator

Joined Team: March 2024
Hometown: Evansville, IN
Alma Mater: Purdue University
Favorite Things: My family , my ( soon to be 10!) grandbabies, that I get to play a small part in creating an atmosphere for people to encounter God, the incredible people I work with, music, and any horse time I get.

Operations Team

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.

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.

Tiffany Snyder-Schulz

Graphic Designer

Joined Team: April 2015
Hometown: Mililani, Hawaii
Alma Mater(s): Southwestern Illinois College (2015), Liberty University Online (2018)
Favorite Things: Local coffee shops, reading, and all things cozy!

Brian McGrew

Operations Administrator

Joined Team: July 2013
Hometown: Belleville, Illinois
Favorite Things: Spending time with family

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.

Kathy Warren

Receptionist

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

Meagan Hamilton

Financial Administrator

Joined Team: June 2026
Hometown: Snyder, Texas
Alma Mater(s): West Texas A & M
Favorite Things: Hanging out with her husband and 2 children with a cup of coffee on a calm Saturday morning in the fall, watching her kids pursue their interests in soccer and ballet, and traveling.

Meet Our 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.

Ericka Knoll

Children's Ministry Resident

Joined Team: June 2025
Hometown: Springfield, Illinois
Alma Mater: Central Christian College of the Bible (2024)
Favorite Things: Reading, St. Louis Blues hockey, and spending time with friends and family

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

Cornerstone 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.