Every Life Matters
& EVERY LIFE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR COMMUNITY
At Cornerstone Christian Church, our heart's desire to create an inclusive community that welcomes and celebrates individuals with special needs, while partnering with their families. Our church family is passionate about our Special Needs Ministry, and we are excited to see it grow!
We believe that every child deserves to experience God's love in a safe, welcoming environment. Our ministry offers flexible support options to meet each child's unique needs during our 9:00am Kids Church program.
Buddy Support in Kids Church
For children up through fifth grade who would benefit from extra one-on-one attention, we provide adult buddies who offer individualized support while your child participates alongside their peers in our Kids Church programming. These buddies are specially trained to assist with sensory needs, provide comfort, and ensure safety while your child enjoys age-appropriate Bible lessons and engaging activities.
Respite Room
For individuals up through age 22 with support needs, we offer a dedicated respite room where they can receive caring, safe supervision in a quiet environment. This allows parents to attend the worship service knowing their child is being lovingly cared for by our trained team members.
Thursday, February 11th, 2027
6:00pm to 9:00pm
We are honored to host Night to Shine once again, a worldwide celebration organized in partnership with the Tim Tebow Foundation that brings together people with special needs for an unforgettable prom night filled with food, fun, and music. We believe every person is a precious gift from God with a unique place and purpose, and Night to Shine honors and celebrates God's love for individuals with special needs.
The event will take place on Thursday, February 11th, 2027, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Our guests will enjoy the full VIP experience: red carpet arrivals with cheering fans and paparazzi, delicious food, dancing, and a magical crowning ceremony where every guest is celebrated as a king or queen of the night.
Guest registration and volunteer sign-up open on this page on Monday, November 23rd, at 10:00am. Whether you want to attend or serve, we'd love to have you be part of this incredible evening!
Registration is first come, first served and will fill up quickly. Once we reach capacity, we will move to a waitlist.
Questions? Email nighttoshine@cornerstonenj.org.
Hi! My name is Lauren, and I love dancing and spending time with my family. In my spare time, you can find me watching birds and eating lots of pizza. I have been at Cornerstone since 2016 but began my role in Family Ministry in February 2023. I oversee all programs from birth through first grade as well as support aspects of Elementary Education, like AWANA. Feel free to find me on a Sunday and say hello ... I would love to meet you!
Lauren Kirk
Director of Early Education
Hi! My name is Lauren, and I love dancing and spending time with my family. In my spare time, you can find me watching birds and eating lots of pizza. I have been at Cornerstone since 2016 but began my role in Family Ministry in February 2023. I oversee all programs from birth through first grade as well as support aspects of Elementary Education, like AWANA. Feel free to find me on a Sunday and say hello ... I would love to meet you!
Lauren Kirk
Director of Early Education
Hi! My name is Lauren, and I love dancing and spending time with my family. In my spare time, you can find me watching birds and eating lots of pizza. I have been at Cornerstone since 2016 but began my role in Family Ministry in February 2023. I oversee all programs from birth through first grade as well as support aspects of Elementary Education, like AWANA. Feel free to find me on a Sunday and say hello ... I would love to meet you!