Dear Cornerstone Family,
I have some news to share—but first, a bit of backstory.
Nine years ago, our nursery coordinator, Linda VanGorden, had to step away rather suddenly to care for her aging parents in Florida. With little time to prepare, we turned to our nursery team for help. Seeing the need, my dear wife, Christy, stepped forward as a temporary solution while we searched for something more permanent.
Well…nine years later, Christy is still serving as our Nursery Coordinator.
It might be tempting to think her husband is to blame, but, in truth, Christy has no one to blame but herself! With five years of experience as a beloved preschool teacher at Clearview Baptist Church, along with her service on our nursery team since Cornerstone’s founding, she was more than prepared. Plus, she has the heart for it.
As a child, Christy dreamed of being a wife, a mother, and someone who worked with children. It has been a joy to watch the Lord bring that desire to life. For nine faithful years, she has poured herself out in love and service to the children and families of Cornerstone. I am deeply grateful, and I trust many of you are as well.
At the same time, our church has grown, and the needs of our nursery ministry have expanded. After much thought and prayer, Christy believes it is time to step aside and entrust this work to another. I am grateful to share that our dear sister, Sharon Strawbridge, has agreed to serve as Interim Nursery Coordinator.
Many of you already know and love Sharon. But for those who may not, I asked Sharon to share a bit of her story:
My family has been connected to Cornerstone and to New College for about 10 years. Two of my daughters, Jenna Thompson and Juli Strawbridge, graduated from New College Franklin. I grew up in Mississippi and met my husband through RUF at Southern Miss. We spent 24 years in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where I taught first grade, raised our three daughters, and served alongside my husband in pastoral ministry.
In June 2025, I moved to this area to be closer to family following the sudden death of my husband in 2022. Many of you at Cornerstone prayed for me and my family during that difficult season, and I am deeply grateful. I thank the Lord for this opportunity to love and serve the children and families of Cornerstone.
In addition to the connections Sharon mentions, I have a few personal ones. Her late husband, Gregg, served as an associate pastor in the church where I grew up. He taught me Latin, gave me my first guitar lesson, and invested in me spiritually as a teenager. And during that same season, Sharon also had the unique (and surely memorable!) experience of babysitting me. (And no, she has taken a solemn vow not to share any stories.)
As I reflect on all this, I am struck by the kindness of God’s providence. The woman who once cared for me as a child is now helping care for the children of the church I now serve. Truly, the Lord orders our steps in ways we could never script.
In the weeks ahead, please take time to meet and welcome Sharon. As her title indicates, she is “trying on” this role in an interim fashion just to make sure it’s a good fit for her and the church. Pray the Lord will confirm this path in his time and in his way.
And please join me in thanking Christy for her years of faithful, quiet, and joyful service.
Your servant,
