OUR PASTOR

REV. DR. MARK K. KEARSE, PASTOR

A native of York, Pennsylvania, Rev. Dr. Mark K. Kearse accepted the call to preach at the age of 24. He was licensed at the Shiloh Baptist Church, York, PA in 1995, and ordained by Dr. William H. Curtis, Pastor of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in June of 2001.

Dr. Kearse received a Bachelor of Science degree from York College of Pennsylvania in May of 2005 with honors. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 2008 and was awarded the seminary’s prestigious Presidential Scholar award in his freshman year.

Dr. Kearse received a Doctor of Ministry degree in Transformational Leadership from Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio in 2021.

As a seminary intern, Dr. Kearse served as the Director of Ministries at the United Baptist Church of Baltimore, Maryland, under the leadership of Dr. Carl J. Solomon from 2006 to 2009.

In August of 2009, Dr. Kearse answered the call of God to birth the Cornerstone Baptist Church. Initial services, “Sunday Night Fire” began on Sunday evening, September 13, 2009, at the Yorktowne Hotel Ballroom with Bible Study held every Wednesday. Within seven weeks, God blessed Pastor Kearse and the Cornerstone congregation with a nesting opportunity within a local church. The Cornerstone Baptist Church currently worships every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at 250 West King Street, York, PA, and has grown in membership from 10 to currently over 400.

Pastor Kearse is a leader and pillar in the York community. As a Pastor, Scholar, and Civic Leader, Pastor Kearse seeks to invest in and serve the York Community as a humble vessel for the Kingdom of God. He is the recipient of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., “Civic-Pillar of Faith” award, and the Social Friendship Lodge No. 42 Free and Accepted Prince Hall Masons of York, “Community Service” award. Dr. Kearse is a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Pastor Kearse has board affiliations with the York County Economic Alliance, Appell Center for the Performing Arts, and Black Pastors United for Education. Dr. Kearse is part owner of the York Revolution baseball team and is co-founder of the Cornerstone Youth Home, a shelter providing sanctuary and support for homeless youth.

Dr. Kearse is a proud veteran of the US Navy who served our country from 1986-1990.

Pastor Kearse is married to the former Vlonda Deneen Farr, and they are the proud parents of one son, Garrison Quinn.