Cornerstone Covenant Church: A Covenant Family at the Corner of Crowell and Christoffersen in Turlock
On the southeast corner of Crowell Road and Christoffersen Parkway in Turlock, California, sits Cornerstone Covenant Church, a member congregation of the Evangelical Covenant Church. The church's stated mission is to embody God's boundless love by embracing and empowering people on a shared journey of faith. Pastors Amanda and Greg Oppenhuizen, who have served at Cornerstone since 2006, lead a congregation known in particular for the warmth of its welcome and the depth of its children's and family ministries.
An Hour-Long Sunday Gathering
Worship takes place at 10 a.m. on Sundays and runs roughly one hour, deliberately kept short so that members and guests have time to connect with one another afterward. The service blends music, prayer, and a message from the Bible, and the church livestreams each gathering for those unable to attend in person. Recordings are posted afterward on the church's channel, and a podcast of past messages is available on Spotify.
Greeters meet visitors at the front doors. Guests who arrive at 9 a.m. are welcome to join the setup team. When the weather is warm, the large south-side doors are opened wide and overflow seating spills outside. The dress code is relaxed: some come in jeans and t-shirts, others dress up, and the church's only request is that people come as they are comfortable.
Family Sunday
On the first Sunday of each month, K through 3rd graders stay in the main service for the entire morning. On every other Sunday, they are dismissed before the sermon for an age-appropriate lesson.
Children at Every Age
Cornerstone takes its work with children seriously. Parents who walk through the front doors are greeted by faithful volunteers who walk them to classrooms and walk them through the sign-in procedures. If a child is not yet ready to leave the service, they are welcome to stay with their parents.
Nursery
A nursery for newborns through 2-year-olds lets parents relax while listening to the service. Parents can hang out with their little ones in this staffed space.
Preschool (2 to 4 years)
A single staffed classroom cares for 2- to 4-year-olds. Children are checked in and picked up at the classroom, and greeters in the lobby are ready to point first-time families in the right direction.
K to 3rd Grade
Children in kindergarten through third grade begin the morning with their families in worship and are released before the sermon for their own lesson, except on Family Sunday.
The Flock (4th to 6th Grade)
The Flock is the ministry for fourth through sixth graders. The name comes from the picture of sheep recognizing the voice of their shepherd; the group is designed to help children come to know and recognize God's voice through His word. Outside-Sunday events are scheduled throughout the year.
Special Needs
A sensory space sits just inside the front doors to the right, stocked with headphones, fidgets, coloring pages, and alternative seating for any guest who needs a quieter moment. The church welcomes families who have children with special needs; while regular weekly resources are limited, advance notice allows the staff to arrange support for a particular visit. Inquiries go to welcome@cornerstonecov.org.
Youth Group on Wednesdays
Cornerstone Youth meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. for junior high and high school students. The program is built on crazy games, close friendships, and lively discussions aimed at lasting impact. Beyond Wednesday nights, the youth ministry runs monthly special events and activities, with sign-ups and updates pushed out by text through the Remind app and the church's Flocknote group.
Weekly and Monthly Groups
Small-group life at Cornerstone is split between weekly and monthly rhythms. The weekly offering centers on adult groups working through a coordinated reading plan and study guide that walks through the New Testament. A women's prayer and fellowship group meets Thursday mornings at 8:45 a.m. for prayer with sisters in Christ. Two monthly gatherings round out the calendar: a discussion-focused gathering on the second Sunday evening (6-7:30 p.m.) for honest conversation about subjects that are difficult to bring up in other settings, and a senior gathering on the second Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. for the wiser and more mature members of the church family.
Beliefs in the Covenant Tradition
Cornerstone belongs to the Evangelical Covenant Church, a Reformation tradition with an evangelical heart. New members are asked only two questions: whether they confess Jesus Christ as their Savior and promise to follow Him as Lord, and whether they accept the Old and New Testaments as the word of God and the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. Beyond those commitments, the Covenant tradition gives freedom on many wider questions, anchored by six Affirmations that guide members in matters of belief and theology.
Mission at Home and Abroad
The church frames its mission work around the conviction that the church does not have a mission; God's mission has a church. Locally, the congregation partners with several Turlock-area organizations, including Jessica's House, the International Rescue Committee's Turlock office, Turlock Community Gardens, and CCP Turlock. Globally, the church supports missionaries Craig and Cheryl Wickstrom, who serve as the church's liaison to the Congo Covenant Church.
Pastors, Staff, and Leadership
Pastors Amanda and Greg Oppenhuizen lead the congregation. The pair met at Denver Theological Seminary, joined Cornerstone in 2006, and have served in a variety of roles. Greg is now bi-vocational, splitting his time between pastoring and serving as a Registered Nurse with Turlock Unified School District's Special Needs Department. Amanda remains rooted in pastoral ministry and, together with Greg, parents six children. Anthony Barocio serves as Youth Ministry Director, Alyssa Barocio leads worship and creative arts, Justin Marty serves as volunteer Technical Director, and Rebekah Bonilla serves as volunteer Congregational Care Pastor. The Leadership Team, elected by the congregation, oversees the church's affairs and works with the pastors on vision: Susan Brumm chairs the team, Phil Dwight serves as Vice Chair, Barnard Wamocha as Secretary, and Jon Kimble as Financial Officer.
Giving, Texts, and Getting Connected
Online giving is available through the church's Realm giving page for one-time or recurring donations. Visitors and newcomers can complete a "Tell Us Who You Are" form on the Get Connected page, and anyone interested in keeping up with announcements and events can sign up for texts through the church's Flocknote group. Welcome questions, prayer requests, and special-needs planning all go to welcome@cornerstonecov.org.