Cornerstone Prep

Two of our newest teachers, husband and wife power-combo Dustin and Jennifer Winchester, discuss their faith journey to and from South Carolina to bring play-based, personalized learning and discipleship to Cornerstone Prep!

“My father was the person that prepared me most for his death.” When Ari – a sophomore at Cornerstone – shared that with me a few months ago, I was genuinely at a loss for words. We spend our lives brushing past each other in the halls, at church, or in the grocery store. But everyone has a story, some wisdom, or a piece of encouragement to share. In our fast paced, impatient world, we would all do well to take a moment to pause long enough to listen. God may just be trying to tell us something. A knock caused my attention to shift to the door. It was Ari, smiling, politely peeking in asking if it was a “bad time?” He wanted to speak in morning devotions and popped by to share what God put on his heart and ask how he could set that up. That one meeting turned into another. And then another… Our time morphed into chats where Ari shared thoughts and stories from a wide range of topics about life, the Bible, the world of teenagers, the internet, COVID and, perhaps most significantly, the lasting influence his father had on his life as a young boy and how he made it. What he was sharing was so strong, that we sat down and recorded a conversation that he wanted to share with you. In this discussion that Ari has dubbed “Walks with Dad” we invite you to join in and be blessed.

In an era that seems to be shutting down conversation that might challenge some people's ideas, Mr. Brad Pietryga shares why that might just be the opposite of what is actually needed. Different opinions and perspectives are valuable and the search for truth always carries a risk of being offensive. How can we pursue this path while being respectful and empathetic? How can we use the study of history to help interpret current events? And why does all of this matter so much? Listen in and join the conversation!

When chaos ensues and stress of life gets overwhelming, its important to pause, take a step back, prioritize, and keep the main thing the main thing! Here's how families, students, parents, teachers, and communities can work on this together to navigate challenges in a way that produces fruit not frustration! We exist for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to proclaim God's Word to young people so they are fully trained for life and work in the real world. May we never forget that mission, no matter what!

On this episode, we have a conversation with Mr. Brandon Miller, Cornerstone's K-12th grade music/worship/band teacher and organic gardening club enthusiast. We discuss "What is worship? And, how can we use discernment in the Christian music scene today and teach our kids to, as well?" Thanks for listening!

Christians, Jesus in the Word of God taught us that we would face tribulation in this world for believing in and following the truth. He also reminded us that he has overcome the world! In an age of turmoil, Jesus is just as necessary while the courage of believers to stand up for the Gospel is as important as ever. How can we live and teach in this day? Let's explore why the world hating us is the greatest honor one could ever have and how Jesus' victory should give us all a great hope for the world!

Four (4) students joined the podcast and shared a conversation about how an unlikely program has had an unexpected impact on their lives. From reluctant participants to passionate presenters at Fortune 500 companies and colleges, these students share the journey that has taken them around our city, the country, and changed their lives in the process. Now, these same kids discuss mentoring younger students and other schools, thinking about college and career, and what it is like being an influential Christian group in a largely secular community. Cornerstone is about much more than staying up late and working hard together to solve interesting problems. And this episode gives you a inside look into the unseen side of this special part of our school culture. If you're a parent of an elementary student or not at all, this episode will encourage and inspire you about things that are happening in our city and country as a result of God working through some amazing folks at Cornerstone.

There's no question that people are more connected than ever. People are also lonely and more isolated than previous generations. How can this be? On this episode, we tackle this challenging topic and explore what modern science is telling us. Then, we did into what the Bible has to say about this. How do we think about this at Cornerstone and how can truly understanding this concept change the relationships in your life for the better? You might be surprised...

What happens when students team up to make a podcast instead of taking a test to show what they've learned? Well...this! On this episode, we share "The Deep Journey" podcast (created by four senior boys) as they discuss what they've been learning and share some Biblical thoughts about how they approach the topic of self control. You'll enjoy this one and, prayerfully, will be challenged Biblically as well. Thanks for liking, sharing, and subscribing!

Are you introducing the world to a "new me!" in 2019?! We sat down and discussed -- from a Cornerstone, Biblical perspective -- why making resolutions can be a great thing AND how to stay the course to see them through to victory! Whether you make resolutions or not, are wanting to get healthier, smarter, braver, or closer to the Lord, this episode will show you the way we've been talking about this topic at Cornerstone and how you can too! Happy 2019. Stay the course!

CORRECTION: I misspoke and said there were TWO pairs of unclean animals on the ark and seven pairs of clean. There was ONE pair of UN-clean (2 animals) on the ark and SEVEN pairs (14 animals) of CLEAN animals! Had to correct that (again)! Thanks for the love! -Brandon How many giraffes were on Noah's Ark? What was Noah's wife's name? What did Adam and Eve eat? How many wise men visited Jesus? How old was Jesus when they did? This and MORE about how to dig into the Bible for yourself...on this episode of the Prepcast!

It's no secret that the world's influence is strong on our families and seems to be getting stronger and stronger. So, what do we do? Jesus pointed to an interesting place --a place that many are not even aware of-- to guide his disciples in how to take a stand when times grew difficult. We believe that we can all draw inspiratio and direction from here, as well. We are back and, together, we can combat the secularization thats trying to destroy our families and emerge victorious in Christ! Let's go!

How will schools be valuable with nearly unlimited access to world class education online, anytime, for FREE? How do we set our kids up to win in an uncertain technological future? Mr. McCall traveled half way around the world to make the case that in the world of technology--with a future as uncertain as ever-- it has never been more important to invest in the most intricately designed machine on the planet: the human being. Here's how we do that at Cornerstone.....

Are you frustrated about the events surrounding the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court situation? Wouldn't it feel great to have the confidence to think Biblically about current events, no matter how tough? How do we do that with Brett Kavanuagh at Cornerstone? All the way back in the book of Exodus, God outlines a court system. Though we don't have that exact system today, there is much to be learned about how we can think about complex legal issues. Whether it is about witnesses (good or false ones) and accusations or how we can better understand God's way of doing things, current events like this can bring up great conversations and opportunities to dive into God's word and get our feet on solid ground so we are prepared to have excellent conversations wherever we find ourselves!

Join our conversation about church denominations and the pros and cons they have presented historically (we even see them in the Bible). We chat a bit about how we handle these distinctions today in a non-denominational Christian school and why staying focused on study of the text itself has always been and will always be our chief aim.

Welcome back! We've missed you. If you're joining us for the first time, we are so grateful to have you on this journey with us! On this episode, we talk about some of the excitement that we are seeing around this school year and we can all expect as we move forward together at Cornerstone. Biblical discipleship, international student program, K-12 STEAM program, and so many other things to get excited about. But it wouldn't mean a thing without YOU with us! Much love to you all, from all of us at Team Cornerstone!

If you are a mom, have a mom, or know a mom, this episode is for you! We hear from about fifteen 5-7 year olds and they shared what they love and appreciate about their moms (adorable factor: 10/10). We got into what some of the characteristics make moms so awesome and how we can thank them in special ways. Then there are those that don't have moms and even women that don't have children. There's something important in this for you too. You'll even get to hear about a side of Cindi McCall that many have never seen before but should probably know about.... Much love to all the moms out there!

We sat down with seven members of the cast of "Leap of Faith" and they discussed what it is that is so special about musicals at Cornerstone. They also shared their struggles, personal challenges, and how they overcome them as a team. You'll laugh, cry, and be encouraged by this group of young people! This is an episode you do not want to miss out on!

We all want to see our kids win and grow into the men and women that impact the world around them. That starts with having high expectations and then being consistent with holding them accountable to those expectations. Why is being late one minute a big deal? What happens when it's not "my fault?" How can we coach people to see every situation as a possibility to grow and become more responsible? We discuss that and more on this VERY important episode of the Prepcast!

This world has enough hot button issues to last a thousand lifetimes. Ever wonder how we handle these topics at school? If you are not easily triggered and want to drop in on our conversation, join us as we discuss some of the tough subjects and how we want to develop young men and women that think and act Biblically in a world gone mad....

Two seniors joined the Prepcast to discuss their future plans and how they've navigated being a Christian in a difficult world that denies the resurrection of Jesus. What did one student say about her plans that shocked everyone? What did another say was the best advice she would give to younger students and their families? And how do they both live lives of evangelism that impact the world around them?

Why does a non-Jewish Christian school have a Passover seder? Good question! On this episode, we talk about what this event was Biblically and how understanding how it makes the Gospels come alive to radically transform our hearts and minds. Jesus our Passover has been sacrificed. Listen in, and we'll discuss just what that means for all of us...

Do you believe that faith in Jesus is the only way to have your sins forgiven? If so, then what were the sacrifices about in the book of Leviticus? Did they cover sins or were they about something else? And does even matter for us today, anyways!? [Hint: YES!] Fear not, for we are wading into everyone's favorite book: Leviticus! Join us for EPISODE 26: What's up with Bloody Sacrifices? The Leviticus 101 Episode! as we discuss how understanding this book can be transformative for how we live and worship God as believers in Jesus in the 21st century.

The Bible is the most significant book in the history of the world. What is it? Why do so many people disagree about what it says and means? How can we even know who is right or wrong? This is a challenge. So, how do we approach this at Cornerstone and how exactly do we approach teaching students the most important book in the history of the world? This is something we do NOT want to be wrong about...

Do you ever struggle with emotional and spiritual ups and downs? We do. Our students do too. So what can we do about it? In short: truly understand grace and act accordingly. On this episode we take a somewhat difficult peek at the whimsical, emotional experiences our culture pumps up vs. the unchanging, eternal truth of grace of God. If you come along with us and join this conversation, we know that God can work out miraculous things in the lives of all of our kids and, just maybe, in our's too. Tune in to our Keith Green filled --> EPISODE 24: Grace by Which I Stand

By now you may have heard that Cornerstone's spring musical is "Leap of Faith" based on the movie staring Steve Martin. But isn't that show sacrilegious or just a plain mockery of God? In a word: "no." But if you really want to understand the "WHY" behind this show (and how we plan to pull it off to make a huge eternal impact), you'll want to catch Episode 23: Seeing God in the Hidden Places (With Commentary on "Leap of Faith"). We think you're going to love it and get excited right along with us...we know you will : ) Oh, how does "Leap of Faith" relate to seeing God "hidden" in the book of Esther (or the hidden parts of our lives)? There was almost too much fun to pack into a 20 minute show, but we managed to make it work!

Recent events in Florida have our hearts heavy for so many families that have lost those most precious to them. Please unite with us in prayer for the lost and those in mourning. We mourn along with them... Early Saturday morning I woke up, burdened, and couldn't fall back asleep. God stirred my heart with a question: "You desire mercy for the innocent...but what about the guilty? Do you pray for them and hurt for them, too?" God reminded me that I am the "bad guy" in the story and He plead my case.... In my heart -- and I believe the scriptures bear this out -- I don't believe we truly understand God's mercy on us, until we understand that we are the "bad guys" in the story. We deserve judgment. We are the guilty. And all the while, we often desire mercy for ourselves and judgment for everyone else. But God is a God of mercy and absolutely desires those that have been shown mercy to be united with His heart in this. But how?

Team Cornerstone, We took a big stab at one of the hottest button topics out there: Self-esteem, love, and romance. Our approach (Biblically) runs in direct opposition to the world's view as expressed in modern psychology and thought and will be controversial and shocking to some. Some may disagree. But, if the Bible is God's word, it is true and we can trust it and work on how to understand things accurately to transform our minds and the world around us. For the brave, this conversation can be absolutely life changing. It was for me... The Bible says to "love your neighbor as yourself" and that "no man has hated his own flesh." We love ourselves and the "low self-esteem crisis" is not something that any person actually struggles with but is actually making things worse. What is the problem then? We unpack this and talk about what we can do on EPISODE 21: Love, Romance, and Self Esteem, Biblically Speaking.

On this episode we discuss people that have truly transformed the world for Jesus Christ in amazing ways that no one really knows about AND how you can do the same. This conversation is practical and POWERFUL. You'll laugh, cry, be challenged, and encouraged. And, if you stick around until the end, you'll be abundantly blessed by hearing some young people chime in with their thoughts and thanks to people that have impacted them. Share with someone that has made an impact on you : )

Ever struggle with having faith, understanding it, or generating it in someone else (if even possible)? What about faith vs. works? Do I HAVE to do things to be saved? What if I don't? As the foundation of everything in the Bible, this is one of the most hotly debated topics historically and we are here to (prayerfully) add some clarity AND share a bit about how we discuss and engage this topic with students.

Prepcast Episode 18 - Don't be Afraid to Hope! by Cornerstone Prep

Prepcast Episode 17 - The Biblical Themes Selection Show! by Cornerstone Prep

Prepcast Episode 16 - How we make decisions with integrity by Cornerstone Prep

Should Christian students go out into public school to be a light in the dark? Can students be a light if they are safe inside the Cornerstone "bubble?" How can parents and teachers embrace the struggle and help fan the flames of the fire that can illuminate the darkness? Its what we are ALL about : )

What do the ancient Spartan warriors, the prophet Nehemiah, David, the pre-ministry profession (what was it?) of Jesus, and the language of the apostles ALL have in common with the Cornerstone family today? On Episode 14 of the Cornerstone Prepcast, get out your popcorn and tune in with some epic background music as we embark on a journey of some story telling from history that we pray motivates, encourages and inspires you for the great work we do together in discipling young people. (PLUS, HISTORY IS COOL!!!!)

We sat down with Gabi and Caleb to discuss praise and worship, the weight of leadership, and they even blessed us by sharing three whole songs with us. If you've been blessed by this, share with a friend : )

The opposite of thankfulness is entitlement. Both are matters of the heart and reflect our understanding of the reality that all we have is a gift... Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Team Cornerstone!

We salute those that have served our country AND those that have served (and still do) serve our God. On this episode we dig into why service matters to God and discuss why it should to us, too.

Ever been through a trial where you struggled to find meaning? On this episode we discuss how the resurrection changes how we can engage even the most difficult of circumstances. For further reading: I Corinthians 15, I Thessalonians 4, John 20, Luke 24, Hebrews 11 Music cred: The Passion HiFi

We finish our two part conversation with parent and tech school physics instructor Donna Moore and our Cornerstone Prep humanities department head Brad Pietryga. We talk about assessment that matters and how parents can be engaged in coaching their kids to success in life and work in the real world.

On this episode of the Prepcast, Cornerstone Prep's humanities dept.. head Brad Pietryga teams up with parent and Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics physics instructor Donna Moore as we sat down to discuss how we are prepping our students and children for life and work in the real world.

In this episode, you can join the discussion about the thinking behind why and how Cornerstone does (and does not) engage important Biblical topics like Jesus' birth, death, resurrection, and MORE! If you've had questions in the past, this might be just the episode you've been waiting for : )

On this episode, we discuss the Tabernacle in Exodus and how we as Christians are to make space for God and live as the body of Christ today!

Were you ever wronged by someone? We've all been there. We discuss this topic from a Biblical perspective with some Cornerstone flair on this episode of the Cornerstone Prepcast!

On this episode we discuss the great miracle of restoration through repentance and how we can all do this better to glorify God in all areas of our lives and relationships.

This week we deal with the topic of sin - the reality that we have all fallen short of the standard set up by our Creator. For further reading, a few passages we will reference this week: Obadiah 1, Leviticus 4, Romans 3-5, Galatians 5, James 4, I John 1.

On this episode, the topic of discussion is Biblical Creation and why the Gospel of Jesus hinges on it as an essential doctrine of the Christian faith. For further Biblical reading: Genesis 1-2, Colossians 1, John 1, Romans 1-2, and Acts 17.