That is exactly how the church's senior pastor Oleg Petrovich Kostyuk characterizes the “Cornerstone” church.
A small church which is located on southeast of Sacramento recently entered into the Association and is already became well known. Although there are only a hundred members in the church, there are over ten different ministries. In contrast to many other churches, this church has its own website, broadcast of Sunday services, and has an online radio ministry. It were they, ministers from this church along with their head pastor, who organized a youth conference “Fairless Faith”. The conference took place last September and was led by well-known American professors Frank Turek, Michael Adams, and detective Warner Wallace who shared their experience of defending the Christian faith. The "Cornerstone" church has a school for children and the youth which teaches the foundations of the faith. Unlike many other pastors of the Association’s churches, their pastor Oleg Petrovich made time to attend the “Don’t Waste Your Life” conference which took place earlier this June.
I wanted to get to know this church better, so I visited them on the third Sunday of June. Although not planning on it, I happened to visit on Father’s Day. Being a woman, I started getting myself ready to patiently listen to the messages that do not pertain to me. However, I was completely gripped by the things that I was witnessing.
After the introductory singing, one sister came up front with a microphone and started asking the children, boys and girls, who were sitting up front some very unusual questions. How does a real man looks like? What distinguishes good and bad father? How do you imagine your future husband? Which Biblical characters were real men and good fathers? Why?
It was interesting to hear all the answers from the children who were transparent, serious, and correct. It was clear that someone is investing into them and teaches them the right values.
After that there was a lesson from the book of Job accompanied by a cartoon which was simple and interesting as they say for both young and old.
As it turns out, at the beginning of each Sunday morning service, this church dedicates special time for the children’s lesson. Because it is well prepared, it is not boring to the children and is interesting for people of all ages.
After that there were songs, poems, and messages to fathers, and in the end, a serious sermon about the responsibility of a Christian father. The preacher, brother Stephen Gonchar, was sharing his experience, talking about his own problems with his children, and telling us about how God always answers to those who ask Him about resolving conflicts with children of all ages.
I was pleasantly surprised by one of the encounters at this church. It happened that this year I visited a few small churches of our Association. Besides for the pastors of these churches, very few people there knew me. Usually I come to church about 10-15 minutes before the services start, and as I enter the church, I sit on one of the rows near the walkway. It was interesting to note how brothers and sisters in these churches while trying to pass through and sit further in the isle, literally climbed over my knees, but not one of them greeted me, or asked me to let them pass. After the service, no one approached me, or asked me who I am or where I am from, and no one tried to get to know me. I felt lonely and disappointed after such visits.
However, this church was different. I was near the entrance to the sanctuary when an elderly woman asked me: “Are you a guest? Is this your first time? Do you know somebody here? Do you have any friends? If not, come to our prayer group - you can meet a lot of people there.” In answering the questions of this wonderful woman whose name is Tamara, I thought: how wonderful would it be if our churches had more people like her, people who notice new comers and initiate a friendship. Perhaps, much many of the outsiders would come and stay in our churches.
After the end of the service, I interviewed the head pastor Oleg Petrovich who explained to me why he characterizes this church as God’s Family with a Precise Structure and various ministries. I will not repeat our conversation—you can listen to it in the Association’s Radio Programs on our website. I will say one thing: if you have an opportunity, visit this church which is called “Cornerstone”. You will like their service. Perhaps you will be just as fortunate as me to be approached by either sister Tamara, or someone else who will extend the hand of fellowship and greeting. You will go home with a smile on your face and warmed by the warmth of another Christian soul, and feel yourself as part of “God’s Family with a Precise Structure”.
Olga Avetisova
************************************
Church address: 6380 63rd Street, Sacramento, CA 95824
Pastor's Phone: (916) 825-1795
Website: https://www.welcometochurch.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbcthecornerstone
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCty8YAyZ-iLtLz1fCM6SC6g
Please click on the first slide to view pictures of bigger size
{rapidgallery}_newsRelated/2017/jun-cornstone-church{/rapidgallery}
