Meet the Team
Our pastors love the Lord, the Word of God, and the community in and around Cornerstone Church.
BILL KITTRELL | Senior Pastor
Bill has served as the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church of Knoxville since its inception in April of 1990. His responsibilities include general oversight of the church, training and care for the Pastoral Team, Sunday morning teaching, and leadership development. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Cheri, in 1981. They have four children and 8 grandchildren!
ZACH VARNELL | Pastor
Zach has served as a pastor of Cornerstone Church of Knoxville since 2012. He currently serves our church administratively and oversees our worship team. Zach and his wife, Sarah, have three children. He graduated from the Sovereign Grace Pastors’ College in 2012.
MIKE PLEWNIAK | Pastor
Mike has served as a pastor of Cornerstone Church of Knoxville since 2004. He serves the church by overseeing the teen ministry (Relay), children’s ministry, leadership development, our deacons, and several Community Groups. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have five children. He graduated from the Sovereign Grace Pastors’ College in May of 2004.
JAKE SIMMONS | Pastor
Jake has served as a pastor of Cornerstone Church of Knoxville since 2015. He serves the church by overseeing our biblical counseling ministry, men’s and women’s ministries, and community groups. He and his wife, Loren, have four children. He graduated from both the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Sovereign Grace Pastors’ College in 2014.
JEFF HODGSON | Pastor
Jeff has served as a pastor of Cornerstone Church of Knoxville since 2007. He currently serves as one of our bi-vocational pastors, working primarily with our biblical counseling ministry. Jeff married his high school sweetheart, Melissa, and they have two children. He graduated from the Sovereign Grace Pastors’ College in May of 2007.
KEVIN SHIPP | Pastor
Kevin has served as a bi-vocational pastor of Cornerstone Church of Knoxville since 2012. He is primarily involved in our premarital counseling ministry. Kevin and his wife, Bethany (who helps facilitate our womens’ ministry) have three children.
JAKE CRONIN | Pastor
Jake has served as a pastor of Cornerstone Church of Knoxville since 2024. He serves the church by overseeing our campus ministry, Volunteers for Christ, and as well our outreach and evangelism ministries. He and his wife, Ellen, have three children. He graduated from the Sovereign Grace Pastors’ College in 2021.
Church Plant Residency
JOSH VARNEDOE
Church Plant
Resident
