People

Pastor Kelly Larsen

LEAD PASTOR – Specific oversight of Men’s and Women’s Ministries; Children’s Ministries; Compassion Ministries Family and Work Life: Pastor Kelly and his wife Tammy were called to Cornerstone in August, 2012. Although Kelly spent many of his formative years in Omaha, he met Tammy in 8th grade after his family moved to Tracy, Minnesota. They quickly became great friends,…

Sara Waddel – Children’s Director

STAFF – Children’s Ministry Director Sara Waddel has served on-staff since 2005.  She met her husband Jerry at a church youth group in Lincoln. Following college, they married in 1995 and were blessed with two daughters and recently added a “son”. As the children’s ministry director, she leads the children’s ministry team and oversees Nursery,…

Peg Johnston – Women’s Discipleship

Family and Work Life: Peg grew up on a farm outside of Holdrege, number five of six children. After high school she studied at UNK and UNL to become a registered dietitian. She married Don in 1982 and God blessed them with two sons and a daughter; His blessings have continued with six grandchildren. She…

Kara Gehrt – Pastor’s Assistant

STAFF – Administrative Assistant Family and Work Life: Kara Gehrt has served on-staff as our part-time administrative assistant since 2012.  As a former art teacher and florist, we are blessed by her artistic and creative talents. Kara and husband Randy met through mutual friends at Christian Student Fellowship at UNK and were married in 2004. Their…

Mike Leigh – Lay Elder

LAY ELDER – Oversees finances Family and Work Life: Married since 1987, Mike and Brenda Leigh have two adult daughters, one son, two sons-in-law, and three grandchildren. We are blessed to have such a faithful and steady elder as Mike is Mr. Consistent:  he’s only had two jobs since college.  He worked for 15 years with the…

Abe Smith – Lay Elder

LAY ELDER – Oversees Communications and Worship Ministries Family and Work Life:  Abe Smith and his wife Arian met in college while chaperoning a date for some K-State band friends. They eventually starting having their own dates, married in 1998, and have three children, the oldest in college at UNL. As a family, they enjoy…

Jeremy Karg – Lay Elder

LAY ELDER – Oversees missions Family and Work Life: Married since 2010, Jeremy and Emily Karg – who met at a college student gathering at Cornerstone – now have five young children. Since 2014, Jeremy has worked for the Buckle as a programmer/analyst. On describing Cornerstone:  Gospel-centered and caring. Jeremy appreciates the body’s commitment to the truth and its…

Don Johnston – Lay Elder

Family and Work Life: Don is a Holdrege native, youngest of three boys. After high school he spent four years in the U.S. Navy, where he trained and worked as a hospital corpsman. He married Peg in 1982 and returned to school to become a registered nurse, which he did for close to 20 years.…