LOCHSLOY — A change in ownership has brought a new congregation to the big church along Highway 92, east of Lake Stevens.
Sanctuary Ministries, in the Lochsloy area, now is Cornerstone Bible Church, formerly known as the Everett Bible Church.
The new owners bought the property and moved in this past fall, said the Rev. Cary Green. The church, started in 2009, outgrew its former home in downtown Everett. Sunday services draw more than 300 people.
One of the first steps was revamping the place. The pews, described as “’70s orange,” were switched out for simple brown chairs. There is new decor and a new sound system. Most everything got a makeover. Not everything changed, though.
Cornerstone has kept the former owners’ clothing ministry going, where anyone in need can get free clothes. They’ve also kept church secretary Bobbie Brady. Her husband, Jerry, was the pastor at Sanctuary Ministries for 22 years. He’s working another job until the family figures out what’s next. Their daughter, Erin, now 23, grew up in that church.
Tending the 12-acre property, with roughly 12,000 square feet in buildings, was a lot to handle, Bobbie Brady said. Still, the church was their home. They wanted to see it adopted, not just sold.
“These were amazing parents. That’s how we look at it,” she said.
Cornerstone’s Associate Pastor Matt Hurja also is a landscaper.
“It has been nothing but a blessing,” Brady said.
Cornerstone is nondenominational. The name stands for “Christ Our Cornerstone,” a phrase that comes from the New Testament.
“We are all about teaching the Bible here,” said Green, 45. “We are serious about teaching families God’s word. It’s not a bunch of fluff. It’s not a bunch of cotton candy.”
The church’s goals this year including helping people make a Bible reading plan for 2015 and also to expand a program offering free biblical counseling, including marriage counseling.
“We’d like to be a bright light in a needed area,” Green said. “That’s the ministry of our church. We want to help people and we have answers.”
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
Cornerstone Bible Church at 15533 75th St. NE, Lake Stevens, has discipleship hour at 9 a.m. on Sundays, then coffee and donuts until the worship service from 10:30 to noon. Home fellowship groups meet throughout Snohomish County to discuss the previous Sunday’s sermon.
The Care Center, the clothing ministry, is open from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursdays.
More info: 360-386-9871, christourcornerstone.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
