Cornerstone Church is on Route 9 South in Howell, New Jersey, and is known for Sunday gatherings that pair contemporary worship with verse-by-verse Bible teaching. The non-denominational congregation began in 1994, grew from a family home and garage, and has maintained a Howell presence since it renovated and moved into a former movie theater in December 2001.
From a Toms River Home Group to a Former Movie Theater
While serving in leadership at Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, Chris McCarrick started a home group at his house in Toms River. As the home group grew, Pastor Chris felt God's leading to begin a church under the umbrella of Calvary Chapel. On April 17, 1994, Calvary Chapel of Toms River started in the McCarricks' home, with the children's ministry meeting in the garage. The congregation eventually outgrew the house and moved first to an elementary school and then to Toms River Intermediate West middle school.
After three years, the church moved into a facility at Cross River Mill Plaza in Lakewood. The ministry grew in numbers and spiritually, and the church transitioned into two services. In March 2001, an old movie theater in Howell became available. The congregation renovated it and occupied it by December 16, 2001, taking the name Cornerstone Calvary Chapel. It continues in Howell as Cornerstone Church, with Mark Nigro serving as lead pastor.
Two Sunday Services Built Around Music and the Word
Cornerstone gathers at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Each service lasts about 90 minutes, begins with contemporary worship music, and continues with verse-by-verse teaching through the Bible. Church leaders are available after each service for prayer and questions. Cornerstone Kids provides children's church during both services.
- 8:30 a.m.: Contemporary worship followed by verse-by-verse Bible teaching
- 10:30 a.m.: Contemporary worship followed by verse-by-verse Bible teaching
Both gatherings can be watched through Cornerstone Live, with livestreams also available on YouTube and Facebook. Cornerstone Church is at 6550 Route 9 South in Howell, and its phone number is (732) 901-5525. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Worship That Is Spiritual, Inspirational, Intelligent and Fruitful
Cornerstone gives worship a distinctive four-part shape. Spiritual worship remains flexible and yielded to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Inspirational worship gives great place to music. Intelligent worship gives strong emphasis to teaching the Word of God so people can understand how to worship. Fruitful worship looks for love in people's lives as the supreme evidence that true worship has taken place.
The worship team, led by Pastor Michael Dolan, exists to glorify God and lead the church in songs of praise and surrender to Jesus. Communal worship is included at every regular service, and participation can range from singing from a seat to serving on the stage. Worship-serving opportunities include the worship team, sound, lyrics, and livestreaming.
Cornerstone Kids, United Youth and a Daily Young Adult Ministry
Cornerstone Kids is the church's children's ministry during both Sunday services. Children are led in worship, taught the Bible, and given time for fun and games. Nursery support is also among the congregation's volunteer roles.
United Youth serves junior high and high school students in grades 6 through 12. The group meets every Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Cornerstone Church. Its vision is for students to be transformed by the Gospel, deeply rooted in God's Word, and living boldly for Jesus at church, home, school, and everywhere they go. United Youth also partners with parents and guardians to encourage young people in their faith.
The Young Adults ministry is for people ages 18 to 30. It is described as a daily rather than weekly ministry, with young adults encouraging one another, digging into the Word of God, gathering for fellowship, and glorifying Jesus. Events, gatherings, and casual hangouts are shared through the church's messaging community and the Cornerstone Church NJ app.
Men on Thursday Nights and Women in Two Bible-Study Tracks
Men's Ministry meets at the church every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Its aim is to see men discipled as leaders in their homes and the church, marked by integrity, challenged to serve, and equipped for every good work in Christ Jesus. Vinny Blythe leads the ministry.
Women's Ministry provides an atmosphere for fellowship, prayer, and Bible study. Its regular options are a Tuesday evening gathering at 6:30 p.m. and a Thursday morning gathering at 9:30 a.m., with two study approaches available.
- Devotional Track: A guided study designed to encourage personal reflection and spiritual growth
- Inductive Study Track: A deeper study of Scripture using an inductive method that emphasizes observing, understanding, and applying God's Word
Home Groups Where Ministry Continues
Cornerstone presents home groups as a significant step toward strengthening relationships with God and with other people in the church. Members are encouraged to invest time in their local communities, study God's Word, and form meaningful relationships that point to Jesus. The church also welcomes people who are interested in hosting a home group.
The phrase Ministry doesn't stop after church captures the purpose behind these gatherings. Home groups extend the church's emphasis on Scripture and fellowship into everyday community life rather than limiting it to the Sunday gathering.
Groceries, Gospel Conversations and Mission Support
The Outreach Ministry, led by Bill Neil, seeks to equip the church to preach the Gospel and live it out. Cornerstone provides evangelism training and discipleship while reaching both the local area and the wider community with the life-changing message of the Gospel.
Community outreach meets at the church on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Teams go door to door, deliver groceries to local people in need, and use those visits as an opening to share the Gospel. Additional outreach plans include street or boardwalk evangelism and information tables at local events.
Cornerstone also supports people engaged in ministry around the world:
- Austria: Ken and Michi Meyer
- Haiti: Pastor Leo Azilien
- Philippines: Robert and Joy Ruotolo
- El Salvador: The Batistas
- Serbia: Zoltan Vegel
- Portugal: Brandon and Diana Harding
Short-term mission opportunities of one or two weeks often support these workers and their ministries.
Serving on the Worship, Coffee, Safety and Care Teams
Cornerstone presents serving as a practical expression of faith for both longtime Christians and newcomers. The pastoral and leadership team includes Lead Pastor Mark Nigro, Worship Pastor Michael Dolan, and elders Sean Boivin, Vinny Blythe, Dan Kazanjian, and Todd Honour. Ministry leaders guide the church's families, students, outreach, hospitality, and building care.
Ushers, led by Dan Fiore, work with the Life Safety Team, Refresh Coffee, and the Welcome Team to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere and create opportunities for fellowship and prayer. The Life Safety Team, led by Vinny Blythe, trains widely and frequently, with quarterly core-team training and additional preparation for active-shooter scenarios. The Media Team supports lyrics, video, lighting, and sound for in-person and online services.
Refresh Coffee House serves as a setting for conversation over coffee or tea. Its vision is to build deeper relationships that create openings for prayer, discipleship, and fellowship. The Cleaning Team meets every Saturday morning to prepare for Sunday services, with additional opportunities during the week, while the Hands and Hammers Team handles maintenance and light handiwork. Volunteer roles also include worship, nursery, children's ministry, ushers, media, cleaning, safety, Refresh Coffee, the Welcome Center, and building maintenance.
Giving as an Act of Worship
Cornerstone treats the giving of tithes and offerings as an act of worship. Contributions can be made online as one-time or recurring gifts, mailed by check, or placed in an offering box during a service. Offering boxes are located near the sanctuary and the front door. Checks should be payable to Cornerstone Church and sent to 6550 Route 9 South, Howell, NJ 07731.
A Non-Denominational Faith with an Evangelical Core
Cornerstone has been formed as a fellowship of believers in the lordship of Jesus Christ, with a supreme desire to know Christ and be conformed to his image by the power of the Holy Spirit. The church is neither denominational nor opposed to denominations, objecting instead to an overemphasis on doctrinal differences that has divided the body of Christ.
Cornerstone holds to the fundamental doctrines of orthodox evangelical Christianity. It affirms the inerrancy of Scripture and the eternal reality of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is affirmed as fully God and fully human, with his death providing atonement for sin and his resurrection demonstrating victory over sin and death. Salvation is offered freely by God's grace through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The church also affirms the continuing validity of the gifts of the Holy Spirit when exercised within Scripture and in love. It favors simple, Spirit-led church government and holds that Christ's second coming will be personal, premillennial, and visible. These beliefs shape a life of holy living, heartfelt worship, committed service, diligent Bible study, regular fellowship, sharing in Communion, and adult baptism by immersion.
Word, Worship and World at Cornerstone
Cornerstone's vision joins three commitments: being committed to the Word of God, passionate about the worship of God, and invested in impacting the world for God. The Word is experienced through the pulpit, counseling, small groups, children's church, a school of ministry with internship opportunities, online channels, and media resources. The world is engaged through gospel-centered local and global outreach with an emphasis on church planting. This combination of biblical teaching, expressive worship, close fellowship, active service, and outward-facing mission gives Cornerstone Church its identity as a Howell congregation devoted to Word, Worship, and World.