Our History
Cornerstone Church was founded in 1990 by Pastor Brad Kalajainen and his wife Colleen. Their vision was to begin a United Methodist Church serving Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Caledonia, and other surrounding communities. A small group of 15 people began meeting in a home to worship, pray, and develop the plans for the new church. They soon moved their celebration services to South Christian High School where they grew to several hundred attendees over the next 7 years.
In the fall of 1997, Cornerstone Church moved into their new home on 68th street (just east of Kalamazoo Avenue) in Caledonia. Cornerstone's continued growth, especially in numbers of children and youth, has already demanded 2 expansion projects. In May of 2007 Cornerstone Church entered a campaign,"Chapter 3 - The Footsteps of Faith," to build a new facility at the corner of 84th and Kalamazoo. A ceremonial ground breaking event for the new building was held on Sunday, September 21, 2008.
Cornerstone Church continues in its mission to "invite all people to become followers of Jesus Christ."
On July 1, 2006, Pastor Ken Nash and his wife, Christine, and his 3 children joined our growing church. He came to Cornerstone from Carson City United Methodist Church where he was first appointed and grew the congregation from 80 to 500 in the five years he served there.
He shares the same passion as Brad for empowering lay leaders in the church. He helps preach, teach, strategize and set the vision for Cornerstone's future, and coaches leaders in all areas.
Please feel free to email either of them.