On Pratt Road on the west side of Sandwich, Illinois, Cornerstone Church has made its home in a small, family-friendly building where Sunday mornings start with coffee at nine and worship at ten. The non-denominational church has served DeKalb County for years through Bible teaching, a food pantry that has run for more than two decades, and mission partnerships that reach from the church parking lot to Spain, Brazil, Bangladesh, and the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago.
An Open Door on Pratt Road
Cornerstone Church sits at 17347 Pratt Road on the west side of Sandwich, Illinois, where its greeters welcome visitors into a family-friendly, non-denominational congregation. The church's vision is to rely completely on God's plan above its own and to serve others - both as a body and as individuals - in Christ's love, bringing God's message to all. Its mission statement sums up the same calling in three phrases: pursue God, love others, and serve the world. The invitation at Cornerstone is for anyone, new to faith or simply looking for a church home, to come experience the love of Christ in a welcoming community built around prayer gatherings, Bible studies, and a long-running food pantry.
A verse from Romans 15:13 hangs over the church's online welcome: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." That hope, taught week by week, is what the leadership and congregation at Cornerstone try to pass on to every age and stage.
Sundays at Cornerstone: Coffee, Teaching, and Worship
Sunday mornings at Cornerstone begin at 9:00 a.m. with Cup and Conversation, an hour of Bible teaching, group discussion, and coffee that the church describes as "an hour of teaching, instruction, discussion and coffee." Participants grab a cup, settle in, and warm up with others who are ready to learn and grow together.
The main worship service follows at 10:00 a.m. and runs about an hour. The service is held in person and is also broadcast live on YouTube for those who want to join remotely. Worship is led by the Cornerstone worship team using both videos and live music, and the team is always on the lookout for new singers, instrumentalists, or anyone interested in leading worship.
For first-time visitors, the church asks only that they arrive a few minutes early and look for the greeters. They will help with anything that is needed. The church also offers a nursery and a toddler room for the youngest children, along with a Kids Zone for older kids during the service. Visitors can also fill out a "Send Me More Info" form so the church can follow up with additional details about what to expect.
Wednesday Nights and Saturday Mornings
Mid-week life at Cornerstone centers on a Wednesday night Bible study and prayer gathering that begins at 6:45 p.m. Adults come together for an evening of Bible teaching and prayer in person at the church.
Two monthly gatherings fill out the rhythm of the month. On the first Saturday of each month, the Men's Breakfast brings men together at the church from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. for breakfast, conversation, and a personal testimony, a chance to hear someone else's story of faith and to share their own over a meal. On the second Saturday of each month, Women's Connect meets from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. for women to get to know one another better, pray together, and simply have fun, with light snacks provided and no registration required. Both groups emphasize simply showing up.
Growing Up at Cornerstone: Kids Zone, Youth, JAM, and VBS
Cornerstone takes seriously its call to the next generation, and four programs cover children and students from preschool through high school.
Kids Zone is the Sunday school ministry for children ages four through sixth grade. Students are grouped into classes for ages four through third grade and fourth through fifth grade, allowing lessons to be tailored to where each child is developmentally. Teachers lead age-appropriate Bible lessons, fun activities, music, games, and meaningful friendships in a safe and caring environment, all built on Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Cornerstone Youth meets on Wednesday nights from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. for students in middle school and high school. Each evening begins with a game that previews the lesson ahead - learning through doing - and continues with biblical teaching about God, relationships, and what it looks like to pursue God, love others, and serve the world. The goal is to help young people find Jesus and grow in his teaching so they have a firm foundation for the life ahead.
JAM Time is a themed Friday-night program for K through sixth grade students that normally meets on the first Friday night of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:15, running fall through spring. The evening dives into God's Word on a deeper level, with worship time, snack time, and game time woven in. Friends are welcome to come along, or to be made there.
Vacation Bible School rounds out the children's calendar with a one-week summer program for ages four through twelve, blending summer camp, friendships, creativity, and faith-building into a single memorable week.
A Twenty-Year Food Pantry and a Seasonal Clothing Closet
Cornerstone's food pantry has been an important part of the church's mission for more than twenty years. The pantry operates once a month at the church and serves on average forty-four households, or roughly 136 people, drawn from the surrounding area. Food is purchased from the Northern Illinois Food Bank and distributed at the church, and the entire operation runs on direct donations and volunteers. Each monthly distribution takes an army of volunteers to unload, set up, and serve those in need. Anyone interested in volunteering or donating can reach the food pantry coordinator, Jerry Latzke, at jerry@cornerstoneofsandwich.com.
Twice each year, in the spring and fall, Cornerstone hosts a Community Clothing Pantry that distributes free clothing to individuals and families in need. The church accepts clean, gently used clothing donations year-round and gathers them into these seasonal outreach events. The goal is to share God's love in a practical way by helping meet the clothing needs of people of all ages with compassion, dignity, and care.
Four Missionaries Around the World
Cornerstone's mission outreach extends well beyond Sandwich, supporting a network of missionaries and ministries on four continents.
Bruce and Linda Thomas have served in international missions since 2010, first spending more than fifteen years in Lubin, Poland, where they helped strengthen a young church, built relationships through English-language outreach, and saw lives transformed by the Gospel. They have since begun a new chapter of ministry in Torrevieja, Spain, partnering with Pastor Viktor and Tanya Kovba at Light and Life Baptist Church. Their work focuses on reaching the city's diverse international population through English-language outreach, Bible studies, leadership development, preaching, and family ministries.
Roseland Community "Good News" Day Care, based in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago, is a Christ-centered ministry serving children, young mothers, and families in need. The daycare provides quality childcare, encouragement, and practical support rooted in the love of Jesus Christ, and adds outreach through clothing giveaways, back-to-school events, toy distributions, and summer camps. Over the years, the ministry has impacted thousands of children and hundreds of mothers.
Suzan Edge serves as a missionary in Bangladesh, sharing the Gospel and supporting local ministry efforts through evangelism, discipleship, and compassionate service in a region where Christian outreach can be challenging. She works to build relationships, strengthen believers, and meet both spiritual and practical needs within the community.
Wilson and Lori Kannenberg have devoted more than forty years to missionary service in the Amazon region of Brazil, bringing the hope of Jesus Christ to remote river communities and indigenous populations. Through evangelism, discipleship, leadership training, and church planting, they have helped establish dozens of churches throughout the Amazon, equipping local pastors and believers to continue the work. Today they continue to serve along the borders of Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, using boats and other mission resources to reach isolated communities.
What Cornerstone Believes
Cornerstone describes itself as a non-denominational Christian church and holds to a classical evangelical statement of faith centered on the Bible and the Trinity. The congregation's approach to theology is summed up in three commitments: in essential beliefs they have unity, in non-essential beliefs they have liberty, and in all beliefs they show charity.
The church teaches that there is one God, Creator and Ruler of the universe, who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - co-equal and one God. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, co-equal with the Father, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin, rose again on the third day, ascended to heaven, and will return to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and Son and lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, providing power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.
The Bible is described as God's word to all, written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit and the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living, without any mixture of error. People are made in the spiritual image of God, marred by an attitude of disobedience called sin. Salvation is a free gift received by trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; those who turn to Jesus in faith are saved, and eternal life begins the moment one receives Christ. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence, either with God or separated from Him.
Elders, Deacons, and Pastoral Leadership
Cornerstone is led by Pastor Paul and governed by a board of elders: Chris, Brian, Mike, and Andrew. A team of deacons - Jim, Bret, Jerry, Jaxon, and Nick - serves alongside the elders. Ministry leaders include Brittney and Mike, with Mike Eikleberry coordinating the worship team and welcoming new singers and instrumentalists through worship@cornerstoneofsandwich.com. The food pantry is overseen by Jerry Latzke. Online giving is available through PayPal on the donate page, and separate donation links allow direct support of Bruce and Linda Thomas in Spain, Roseland Daycare in Chicago, Suzan Edge in Bangladesh, and the Kannenbergs in Brazil.
For more than two decades, Cornerstone's doors have opened to families in Sandwich on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and once a month for the food pantry. The same Pratt Road address now reaches as far as Spain and Bangladesh, feeding bodies and souls in equal measure and trusting that the God of hope will fill those who walk through with all joy and peace in believing.