ABOUT US
Cornerstone is a new church coming to Centerton, Arkansas. It was started by a small group of believers with a desire to see the gospel spread to this corner of Bentonville. In the summer of 2024, Ross Chartrand became the pastor of Cornerstone and their church planting efforts began in earnest.
We look forward to launching worship services in winter 2026. Between now and then, we're working to prepare our worship plans, reach out to our neighborhood in Centerton, and continue growing in our knowledge & desire for God's word as a group.
Curious about what it's like to join a new church? Contact Pastor Chartrand or sign up for emails below.
About Cornerstone
As believers, we are motivated by Jesus' command to go and make disciples and comforted by his promise to be with us always, until the end (Matthew 28).
As a "mission church," we understand that our primary focus isn't to go to church to be served, but to employ ourselves in service to others. It's our prayer that by showing self-sacrificial love to our neighbors, we can be a visible reflection of the love Christ showed us.
What is a mission church?
Since we're in the early years of our church, we currently lease our worship space at 2502 SW 14th St between Bentonville and Centerton.
Though it's a bit nontraditional, it's a helpful reminder that Cornerstone is not a place or a building. No—God makes his home in his people. He does his work through us, as we are spurred on by the love Christ showed to us.
Why do you worship in a storefront?
Jesus said, "let the little children come to me." We take him at his word! We believe that one of the most powerful things parents can do for their children's faith is to model what worship looks like. Even though it can be difficult with littles, we encourage families to worship together on Sunday mornings!
We also understand that kids sometimes need their own time and space. Pastor Chartrand will have a special message just for the kids each Sunday. There is a room available at the back of church if your little one needs a quiet place to calm down. Activity bags for younger children are located at the back of the worship space as well. Please help yourself!
Our future plans include having separate age-appropriate Bible lessons for elementary age kids during adult Bible study on Sunday mornings.
What do you have for Kids?
Our worship services use a liturgy, or structure, that repeats weekly—with songs, scripture readings, and a sermon that follow a unifying theme each week.
It's our goal to make our worship comfortable and edifying, whether you're new to church or if you've been attending weekly since you were a kid.
What is Worship Like?
Cornerstone is a confessional Lutheran church affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). That's pretty wordy, so here's a quick break-down.
Being a "confessional Lutheran" church means that we hold to the biblical truths of salvation by grace alone through faith alone, reclaimed by the reformer Martin Luther in the 1500s and further explained in a Lutheran confessional document known as the Book of Concord. To put it shortly, Cornerstone is a biblical Christian church that holds to classic Christian teachings.
We are a member congregation of the Wisconsin Synod, the third largest Lutheran church body in the nation. "Synod" comes from the Greek word for "walking together." Being part of a synod means we can accomplish much more together - like sending missionaries to other countries and training future pastors and teachers - than we ever could on our own. Cornerstone is supported by the grace and gifts of WELS members from across the country who desire to see God's kingdom grow in northwest Arkansas.
What Does it mean to be "Lutheran?"
Pastor Chartrand is a Virginia native who moved to Bentonville with his wife Charissa and their four boys in July 2024. After eight years of pastoral training, including an internship in Colorado Springs, and seven years of serving at a ministry preparatory high school in Michigan, Ross is excited to lead a new church in the area. You'll find him enjoying great stories, staying active, working on his golf game, or exploring everything their new community has to offer. Ross and his team envision a church that's built on Christ, with people who are built for each other. Get in touch at any time:
ROSS CHARTRAND
PASTOR@CORNERSTONENWA.com
(989) 522-5111
THINKING ABOUT
JOINING US?
We understand—trying out a new church can be intimidating. Get to know Pastor Chartrand by reading his blog.