PASTORS
Philip Woods
Senior Pastor, Teaching Elder
Daniel Han
Ruling Elder
James Leake
Ruling Elder
Bill Martin
Associate Pastor, Teaching Elder
ELDERS
David Holmes
Ruling Elder (Sabbatical 2026)
Peter Wallis
Ruling Elder
Taylor White
Assistant Pastor, Teaching Elder
Jason Keshish
Ruling Elder
DEACONS
Tony Bradburn
Deacon
Mike Cline
Deacon
Randall Marks
Deacon
Josh Pisa
Deacon
George Scheppegrell
Deacon
Wayne Patrick
Deacon
Keris Sirek
Deacon
Ted Wolff
Deacon
MEET OUR STAFF
Isabelle Blanch
Director of Student Ministries
Isabelle was born in Albany, New York, but raised in sunny Sarasota. She graduated from USF with a Bachelor's in International Relations and a Master's at UF in Secondary English Education. Isabelle has been at Cornerstone since 2018 and has served in Cornerstone's youth ministry since 2021. She loves hiking (a point of pain being in Florida and all), reading and co-hosting Quiet Reading Club with Katie White, and making better brown butter chocolate chip cookies than Katelyn Pisa.
Chelsey Desmond
Nursery Coordinator
Chelsey has served as our Nursery Coordinator for the past five years. She and her husband, Ian, are both from the area and are grateful to be raising their five children in the community they have long called home. Ian has the opportunity to invest in the lives of high school students through coaching baseball at Lakewood Ranch High School, and Chelsey loves cheering on Ian, the high schoolers he coaches, and their own children in all of their different activities. She treasures dinners together around the table and, although she would happily have a house full of even more babies, serving in the nursery is a pretty great middle ground! She loves being involved in the life of the church and building relationships with the children and families she has come to know through the nursery.
Jackie Gehndyu
Administrative Assistant
Jackie is one of the rare Sarasota locals! She and her husband, Janjay, are raising their two children, Ellie and Emmitt, in the community they’re proud to call home. With more than 15 years of experience in education, Jackiebrings a heart for serving and supporting others in all she does. When she’s not at work, you’ll likely find her spending time with her family or caring for her ever-growing collection of plants.
Hilary Nelson
Executive Administrator
Hilary is originally from Seattle, Washington, and has had the joy of serving on staff at Cornerstone for the past 11 years. She loves being part of a church she deeply cares about and considers it a privilege to work alongside the staff and congregation in support of Cornerstone’s ministry.
Hilary is married to her husband, Erik, an AP Human Geography and AP World History teacher, and they have two children, Blake and Jemma. Outside of work, Hilary loves spending time with her family, supporting and cheering on her kids in all of their activities!
Hilary is married to her husband, Erik, an AP Human Geography and AP World History teacher, and they have two children, Blake and Jemma. Outside of work, Hilary loves spending time with her family, supporting and cheering on her kids in all of their activities!
Phillip Lawrence
Children's Director
Phillip Lawrence grew up in New Mexico (Holloman AFB), then moved to Gainesville, Florida for High School. He studied Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His wife, Stephanie, and now two adult children joined Cornerstone in 2019, and he has been the Children’s Ministry Director here at Cornerstone since 2020. Phillip is also an Air Traffic Controller at SRQ airport. Several of his hobbies include: watching UCF football (this is definitely going to be their year!), Crystal Palace soccer, and listening to audiobooks like the Chronicles of Narnia and the Lord of the Rings.
Bill Martin
Pastor of Spiritual Formation
Bill Martin has been with Cornerstone since 1995, serving as an elder, leading worship and teaching adults. In 2024, Bill was called and ordained as a Teaching Elder and serves as Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation. Bill’s passion is for Christian discipleship in all areas of life, especially the life of the mind. He teaches several Core Courses, including Rhythms of Grace, Luther Against the World, and Core Leadership. Bill has also taught courses and led seminars in Bible, theology, philosophy and contemporary issues. In 2002, Bill graduated with an M.A. from Reformed Theological Seminary. His full-time job is hosting “The Morning Cruise” on The JOY FM. Bill is married to Kimberly, and they have 5 children and 3 grandchildren!
Katelyn Pisa
Director of Hospitality
Katelyn has been on staff at Cornerstone for five years, serving as the Hospitality Director for the past two. She loves welcoming new people, helping them get connected, and making Cornerstone feel like home. Her husband, Josh, serves as one of Cornerstone’s deacons, and together they have three children. When she’s not at church, Katelyn loves cooking, soaking up the Florida sunshine at the beach, and working alongside the Youth Director, whose baking skills are best described as “a work in progress,” giving Katelyn plenty of opportunities to practice hospitality.
Taylor White
Pastor of Liturgy & Theology
Taylor is married to Katie, and together they have two children, Brayden and Eden. Taylor oversees the worship practices at Cornerstone and teaches several of our adult education classes. He is a graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary. He and his family are grateful to be part of the Cornerstone family and enjoy watching the Lord continue to build his church. Taylor enjoys reading, hanging out with his family, and playing music at church.
Becca Woods
Women's Coordinator
Originally from St. Louis, Becca moved to Florida 13 years ago. As Cornerstone’s Women’s Ministry Coordinator, she is passionate about helping women grow in their faith, put it into action, and build meaningful relationships across every age and stage of life. She takes classes at RTS Seminary to support her Bible teaching and enjoys good conversation over coffee or red wine. Her current season of life is spent learning the ways of her four teenagers, who keep her on her toes and ensure there is never a dull moment. For Becca, the best part of any day is spending time with her husband, Phil, and their kids: Kennedy (KJ), Cash, Shiloh, and Dempsey.
Philip Woods
Senior Pastor
Philip has been Senior Pastor of Cornerstone since 2013. He is married to the lovely Rebecca, and together they have four children. He holds a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary. He has authored 0 books, does not enjoy updating his bio, refuses to relinquish the Garamond font, and believes Seinfeld remains one of television’s greatest achievements.
His current favorite quote is by Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, “Preach the Gospel. Die. Be Forgotten.”
His current favorite quote is by Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, “Preach the Gospel. Die. Be Forgotten.”