Pastor Randy Thornton
Interim Senior Pastor
Randy is the founder and Multiply Pastor of Grace Church. After graduating from Grace College of Divinity, Randy and his wife Sarah were commissioned by the Lord to move with their young family to Southern Pines for the purpose of planting a church.
What began as a church plant in the reception area of an apartment complex, turned into a church with over 1,500 in attendance on a given Sunday. The mandate from God for Grace Church, has always been to “Fill the City with Jesus”, and the Lord continues to fulfill this mandate. With the help of God, Randy has assisted in establishing several ministries in the county such as Pregnancy Support Services, Pray Moore County, Sandhills Classical Christian School, and the American Family Radio (now K-LOVE).
Under Randy’s leadership, Grace Church has planted churches in Columbia, SC, Leland, NC, and in the nation of Honduras. Randy and Sarah reside in Pinehurst; they have four adult children and five incredible grandchildren.
Pastor Randy and Grace Church have been in relationship with Cornerstone Community Church for many years. In addition to being the multiply pastor of Grace Church, he also serves as Cornerstone’s interim senior pastor.
We encourage you to get to know Pastor Randy and the wonderful saints who call their church home Cornerstone Community Church, and we invite you to make your home with us!
Former Pastor Willie Taylor
Senior Pastor
Before Pastor Taylor’s passing in 2022, he and his family had been deeply involved in this ministry for approximately 35 years (this includes when the church was called “Faith Christian Fellowship”). He gave his life to the Lord in the church also. He has been the youth leader, a home group leader, a life group leader, and was one of the first two elders ordained at Cornerstone.
He was ordained as Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in September of 1997. A former high school head basketball coach and teacher, he naturally began to “coach” his new congregation in the faith and teach the Word of God. Pastor Willie’s heart for Cornerstone had always been to help people become successful with their lives. He defined success as fulfilling the purposes for which we were created. He had a true shepherd’s heart in that he loved people, and genuinely looked after their best interests.
Pastor Willie was happily married to his wife of 51 years. Minerva is a great woman of God and an intercessor. They raised three godly daughters: Ivy, Camie, and Brandy. Their family has been a great blessing in service and love over the years, and they have touched many lives.