By Solvejg Wastvedt

newsroom@austindailyherald.com

At Cornerstone Church in Austin, space is getting a little tight. To accommodate its growing membership and make more room for children’s ministry, the 850-member church has purchased an unoccupied next-door property which will house the children’s church and other programs.

“The current space for first- through fifth-grade is really filling up,” Executive Pastor Cory Goetz said. “The space next door was vacant, so we asked about buying it and bought it late last fall.”

Remodeling the new space — a former tanning studio — will start next week. Necessary demolition on the building is already complete. Cornerstone is installing two doors in the dividing wall to create a secure space for the children. The new area will be a continuous space with the rest of the church but it will feature a secure check-in with just one way in and one way out.

The main feature of the new space will be Cornerstone’s Sunday morning children’s church, an opportunity for kindergarteners through fifth-graders to participate in large and small group worship activities. The expansion will give Cornerstone’s large children’s ministry program the space it needs to keep pace with the church’s membership.

Children’s ministry is a big part of Cornerstone’s mission: In addition to traditional Sunday school offered in both Spanish and English, Cornerstone provides the children’s church and a Wednesday evening youth outreach program. Wednesday evening activities include homework help and Bible study.

Cornerstone’s children’s ministry focus fits with the demographic the church serves. Of Cornerstone’s 850 members, many are families with young children. Goetz said at the moment, the church is focused on serving these families.

“We’re always looking to find ways to improve, but the big focus right now is just getting this space ready to use and getting the kids moved in there,” he said.