Pastoral Staff

Rev. Matthew Hancock

Lead Pastor

Hello! I'm Rev. Matthew Hancock and I am honored to be the lead Pastor of Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene.  My wife Cara and I have been married since 2002 and have 3 awesome kids.  Sydney is our oldest, Sophia is our youngest, and then Carter is our middle son.  

I was raised in Texas and Virginia before attending Mount Vernon Nazarene University where I received my Bachelors degree in Religion.  Also, and more importantly, while I was there I met my wife Cara who is from New Albany, Ohio.  After graduating & getting married we were honored to pastor in Atlanta, Ga, Naperville, IL, and then Marion, OH for 5 years each.  In September 2016 God opened the door for Cara and I to come and Pastor Cornerstone Nazarene.  He made it abundantly clear that this was where He wanted us and we are so glad we obeyed!  After arriving, God opened the door for Cara to work in the schools as a social worker.

In our free time I enjoy golfing, taking the kids to the lake and playing basketball while Cara enjoys shopping, time with friends and running.  Our kids love sports, any activity involving water and going to Kings Island.  It is a crazy life but God is so good!

We hope to meet you at Cornerstone sometime soon!

Pastor Ryan Etterling

Youth Pastor

I have been an active member of Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene for nearly eighteen years now, the last ten of which I have been on staff in the role of Youth Pastor.

I have a beautiful wife (Renee) and two boys (Preslee and Lincoln).

I first felt God calling me to ministry after an amazing encounter with Him that I had during a trip to the Nazarene National Softball tournament in Springdale, Ohio. I distinctly remember asking God “How could I possibly do that?” His answer was very direct, “Use the talents I have given you!” Though I am no expert in any field, I have been blessed with the ability to play sports well, music well, and to connect well with others. Through some mentoring conversations and life experiences, God led me to Youth Ministry where I am able to use all of those gifts to help raise up young boys and girls to be strong men and women in the church. Thus, the birth of the Uprising Youth Ministries.

There is no part of me that wants credit for anything that happens in this life. I owe everything that I have to the One, Creator God!

Here are some facts about me:

  • Super Elvis Presley fan
  • I love and coach Baseball
  • Music is a passion for me
  • My favorite color is blue
  • My favorite sports teams are UK, the Reds, and the Bengals
  • My favorite snack is probably Honey Barbecue potato chips.
  • And I have an uncontrollable desire to see God’s kingdom multiplied through the spiritual development of Junior High and High School students, so that they may impact the world to make way for the generation behind them.

Pastor Christa Riter

Children's Pastor

I'm so excited to be a part of the Cornerstone family!

I am originally from West Virginia, and my husband Jeffrey, who is a graphic designer, is from northwest Ohio. We met at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where we both graduated from--Jeffrey in 2016 and myself in 2017.

I love sports, photography, music, anything that has to do with the great outdoors and of course our furbabies Marlow and Scout.

I have always had a passion for children's ministry and I'm excited about what God is doing in Faith Kids!

Pastor Hector Reffit

Associate Pastor

I am an associate pastor here. I was born in Piedras Negras Mexico, raised in an orphanage. It is by the Grace of God that I’m where I am today.

 I married my beautiful wife Jennifer in 1995.  We have three children who we are incredibly proud of. Eli Reffit, our oldest who loves leading worship at Cornerstone, Tori Reffit, who has a heart for missions, and our youngest Bella Reffit, who loves singing and just living for Christ as a teenager.

We joined the Cornerstone team in 2014. I am passionate about connecting people to God and others through everyday life. I enjoy Sharing the Gospel, exercise ( lol ), watching UFC (mixed martial arts), spending time with family and spending time with friends. Our favorite getaway is the beach . 

Eli Reffit

Worship Director

Hey! My name is Eli Reffit and I have been a member of Cornerstone Nazarene for around 8 years. I graduated from Shawnee State University in 2020 with a Bachelors of Science in Plastics Engineering, and have served as the full time Worship Director here at CSN for almost two years now! My wife, Autumn, and I are so happy to be able to serve together at Cornerstone, and we love our church family! If I haven't gotten the chance to meet you yet, if you see me at church come say hi!

Chance Cooper

Front Line Ministries, Assimilation, and Outreach Pastor


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