Our Elders & STAFF

Pastor John Marc grew up in a family of eight in Silver Spring, Maryland. His triplet sisters became Christians and faithfully shared the gospel with him. In his junior year of high school, John Marc embraced Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord.

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned as a Naval Flight Officer in 1986. After eight years of active service, John Marc left the full-time Navy to go to seminary and prepare for pastoral ministry. He continued to fly in the Navy Reserves with Patrol Squadron 65.

He graduated from The Master's Seminary in 1997 and served as the Associate Pastor for Adult Ministries at Faith Community Church in Santa Clarita, California for three years.

John Marc accepted the call to pastor Cornerstone Community Church in July of 2000. He is deeply committed to expository preaching, biblical counseling, and training leaders.

In July of 2006 he retired from the Navy Reserves having completed 20 years of service. John Marc and Paula have been married since 1988 and have four children, and three grandchildren.

John Marc enjoys time with his family, playing sports, outdoor activities, and being with people. His favorite verse is Psalm 16:11 “In His presence is fullness of joy.”

Dan Burleson grew up in Thousand Oaks, California. His grandparents led him to the Lord at an early age. They continued to minister to him as he grew up.

Dan graduated from the Master’s College in 1989 with a B.A. in Bible/Youth Ministries and from Talbot School of Theology in 1997 with a M.A. in Christian Education. He has been an ACBC Certified Counselor since 2011.

Dan was the Associate Pastor overseeing youth and Christian Education at Bethany Baptist Church in Thousand Oaks, CA for 10 years, Children’s Pastor at EV Free Church in Newbury Park, CA for 11 years, Associate Pastor at Sunrise Community Church and Administrator for the EFCA Southeast District Office in Atlantic Beach, Florida for 5½ years, and Children’s Pastor at First Free Church in Manchester, Missouri for 2½ years.

Dan came to Cornerstone in April 2015 as Associate Pastor. He administrates the Cornerstone Biblical Counseling Training Center, oversees our Children’s Ministries, and helps with facility and other miscellaneous areas. Dan also serves on the Overseas Instruction in Counseling Board of Trustees.

Dan and Maria have been married since 1991 and have three adult children and two grandchildren.

Dan’s favorite verse is 2 Corinthians 5:21, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Adrian Garcia grew up in a family of nine kids in Torrance, California. His oldest brother became a Christian and shared the gospel with him at an early age. At the age of twenty-one, Adrian realized he was a sinner at enmity with God. He cried out for mercy and placed his faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Shortly after becoming a Christian, Adrian was given a hunger and desire to know God’s Word. This resulted in reading, studying, and utilizing sound resources to understand the Scriptures as much as possible. At the same time, there was an eagerness to serve wherever needed within the local church. In God’s providence, Adrian was directed to Student Ministries and has served both as a small group leader and Pastor for a combined twelve years.

By God’s grace, his aspiration to comprehend more of God’s Word led to an opportunity to study at The Master’s Seminary, where he is currently a student.

Adrian and Ashley have been married since 2011 and have three boys: Ezra, Eli, and Ezekiel. Adrian enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with his family.

Adrian’s favorite verse is Psalm 121:5, “The Lord is your Keeper, He is your shade on your right hand.”

Steve Mills grew up in a Navy family, living in California and many other places. At age 13, Steve heard the Gospel at a youth meeting in Norway, and was immediately convicted of his sins and convinced that Christ had atoned for those sins on the cross. Steve knelt by his bed in repentance and surrender, asking Jesus to forgive his sins and guide his life.  

Believing God was calling him to serve in music ministry, Steve earned a degree in Music Performance at Whitworth University. An opportunity to lead worship at Hume Lake Christian Camp opened after graduation, so Steve served there as a worship leader, songwriter, and counselor for 10 years. Steve began serving as a full-time worship pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita, CA in 1997, and has since served at churches in Nebraska and Hawaii before coming to Cornerstone.
 
Because of a deep love for God’s Word, and a desire to continue growing in understanding and obedience, Steve completed a Master’s degree in Theological Studies at Liberty University in 2023.

Steve met his wife, Danelle, serving at Hume Lake, and they have been happily married since 1992. They have four grown children and three grandchildren (with a fourth on the way!). Steve loves spending time with Danelle and their kids and grandkids, going on nature walks, and composing music.

Steve’s favorite verse is 1 John 4:10 - “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Charlotte Sanchez grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ at an early age. She was raised in Ventura County, CA, and moved to Atascadero in 2001. She has been married to Phillip, her best friend, since 1995. They have been part of Cornerstone Community Church since June of 2001. She homeschooled their three daughters, who are now grown up.

She works full time in the church office, and really enjoys it! In her free time, she loves to camp, hike, run, and spend time with her family.

Her favorite passage is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Debbie grew up an only child in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  Her mom faithfully shared the gospel with her throughout her childhood and Debbie accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior in her freshman year of high school.  In 1985, she moved to California with her family, where she met her husband, Glen. They have been married since 1990 and have a son and daughter.

Debbie and Glen recently moved back to the Central Coast, after leaving in 2003, and are delighted to be part of the Cornerstone family once again.  Debbie enjoys helping in the church office, going camping or to the beach, and spending time with her family.

Her favorite passage of Scripture is Philippians 4:6-9, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Jen Kramer grew up in a Christian family and came to faith in Christ at an early age. She was born and raised in North San Luis Obispo County with Paso Robles High School as her alma mater.

She has been enjoying office work since she graduated from high school in 2003. She married her high school sweetheart, Eric Kramer, in 2005. They joined Cornerstone in 2010, when Jen became the secretary, and, with the birth of a son and daughter, she moved to part-time work as the Bookkeeper.

Jen enjoys singing, crafting, writing, toying with graphics, and playing games with others. Her favorite verse is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”