Cornerstone Baptist Church - Darlington, SC

What Cornerstone Baptist Church - Darlington, SC does

Cornerstone Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist congregation founded in 2002 in Darlington, South Carolina, by lead pastor Dr. Bill Curtis. The church operates from a 53-acre campus at exit 137 (junction of I-20 and Hwy 340) and, as of 2023, runs a second campus branded as Magnify Church in Hartsville, SC through the adoption of 4th Street Baptist Church. It has grown to serve more than 1,100 members over 20 years through a multi-generational ministry model spanning Cornerstone Kids (serving 250+ children weekly), Cornerstone Student Ministry for grades 6-12, 3C for college and career ages 18-30, men's and women's ministries, a JOY senior adult ministry, and adult discipleship via Catalyst and Journey Groups. Mission engagement includes quarterly medical trips to Belize, domestic Florida partnerships, and involvement with 18 national/international church plants through The Pillar Network, of which Dr. Curtis is a co-founder.

The church's technology stack is utility-oriented: it uses the Realm church management platform for member communications and online giving, with a custom Cornerstone mobile app providing sermon browsing, live streaming, event registration, and giving functionality. YouTube live streaming, social media channels (Facebook, X, Instagram, Vimeo), and Pastor Bill's blog extend digital reach. Importantly, there is no proprietary AI/ML or advanced technical capability — the technology footprint is standard for a digitally active mid-sized American church.

The revenue model is entirely donation-based: tithes and offerings collected during services, online via Realm, through text-to-give (text TheStone to 73256), and by mail. There is no commercial pricing for worship services or core ministry programs. Marginal revenue from mission trips ($475–$2,050 per participant), summer camp registration, AWANA/Trek handbooks ($25), and special events ($30 Father Daughter Dance) covers direct costs of those activities. The organization is a private religious nonprofit with autonomous governance under its elders, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and its North American and International Mission Boards; no parent company or external ownership exists.

Name

Cornerstone Baptist Church - Darlington, SC

Legal name

Cornerstone Baptist Church

Website

https://exit137.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cornerstone Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist congregation in Darlington, SC, founded in 2002, serving 1,100+ members across two campuses with multi-generational ministries, church planting, and international missions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (813110)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI), Religious Orders & Monastic Communities (Monasteries, Convents) (BPAGAJAC)

Keywords

• Baptist church services
• Religious ministry programs
• Bible teaching
• Church planting network
• Community outreach missions

Headquarters

HQ city

Darlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Traditional church giving through weekly offerings during worship services, online giving via Realm platform, and text-to-give option (text TheStone to 73256)
2. Mail Donations: Donations received by mail to the church address at 2930 Masters Way, Darlington, SC 29532

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cornerstone Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist congregation that delivers weekly worship services, comprehensive age-segmented ministry programs (children, students, college/career, adults, women, men, seniors), small group Bible study (Journey Groups), adult discipleship courses (Catalyst, Aspire), and domestic and international mission trip opportunities. It supports these ministries through a mobile app, the Realm online giving and member management platform, YouTube live streaming, weekly prayer emails, and two physical campuses in Darlington and Hartsville, South Carolina.

Product overview

Cornerstone Baptist Church offers a comprehensive suite of ministry programs and digital platforms rather than a traditional commercial product. The church provides in-person worship services (9:00 AM and 10:30 AM) and operates multiple interconnected ministry programs including Cornerstone Kids (children's ministry), Cornerstone Student Ministry/CSM (student ministry for 6th-12th grade), AWANA (children's clubs), TREK (middle school AWANA), Journey Groups (small groups), Catalyst Discipleship (adult education), Women's Ministry, Men's Ministry (The Ironworks), JOY Ministry (senior adults), 3C (college and career), and Missions Ministry. The church supports these programs with digital platforms including the Cornerstone App (mobile application for spiritual growth and church engagement) and Online Giving via Realm (church management system). Additional programs include the Parking Lot Mission community outreach, Discover Cornerstone membership class, Business Directory, and Prayer Ministry email system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Parking Lot Mission: Ministry serving diverse population with hot meals on fourth Saturday of each month
• The Pillar Network

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Two weekly Sunday morning worship services (9:00 AM and 10:30 AM) at the Darlington campus featuring contemporary worship music and practical biblical teaching; the Hartsville campus runs a 10:30 AM service. Open to all ages and free of charge.
• Cornerstone App Custom mobile application providing resources for spiritual growth, sermon browsing, live streaming, event registration, online giving, and staff connectivity for church members and visitors.
• Online Giving (via Realm) Online tithes and offerings platform enabling members to give electronically, manage recurring giving, and access donation history through the Realm church management system.
• Cornerstone Kids Children's ministry program for Nursery (Infants-Toddlers), Preschool (3K-4K), and Elementary (K-5th grade) offering age-appropriate Bible teaching, worship, and activities during Sunday services. Serves over 250 children and their families weekly.
• Cornerstone Student Ministry (CSM) Student ministry for 6th-12th grade featuring The Launch Sunday night program, Journey Groups, and TREK AWANA for middle school students; covers identity formation, faith ownership, and biblical foundation during adolescent years.
• AWANA Children's Clubs Weekly Sunday afternoon club program for children 3K-5th grade during the school year featuring Bible teaching, Scripture memorization, games, and activities. Includes Cubbies (ages 3-4), Sparks (K-2nd grade), and Truth & Training (3rd-5th grade). $25 per student Bible Study Handbook.
• Trek (AWANA Middle School) AWANA Middle School experience for 6th-8th grade students meeting year-round during the 10:30 AM Sunday morning worship service, featuring Bible study with handbook curriculum and awards.
• Journey Groups Small group ministry organized by affinity (empty-nesters, young families, parents of teens, etc.) meeting weekly in homes for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.
• Catalyst Discipleship Monday evening adult discipleship program featuring Aspire (10-week systematic study), How to Study the Bible, Key Doctrines of the Faith, How to Share Your Faith, and various Bible study courses.
• Women's Ministry Ministry providing opportunities for women to grow in relationship with God through Bible study, book clubs, women's events (including Women's One Day Event), and personal discipleship partnerships via Aspire.
• Men's Ministry (The Ironworks) Ministry equipping men to know, love, and serve God through discipleship, missions, and events, including Aspire for Men and Men's Prayer Breakfast.
• JOY Ministry Ministry for mature adults providing opportunities for worship, service, fellowship, and making disciples of Jesus Christ, led by the Associate Pastor of Senior Adults.
• 3C (Cornerstone College & Career) College and career community for 18-30 year old singles meeting Thursday evenings for Bible study, discussion, prayer, and fellowship with Journey Groups.
• Trek AWANA Bible Study Handbook Curriculum handbook for the Trek AWANA Middle School experience at $25 per student, providing structured Bible study content and awards tracking for 6th-8th graders.
• Missions Ministry Domestic and international mission trips and service opportunities including medical missions to Belize, VBS trips, Florida church partnership trips, and ongoing support for church plants and mission organizations.
• Belize Mission Trip - Full VBS and Medical Mission trip to Belize including Vacation Bible School and medical clinic activities through All 4 Jesus Belize in the Stann Creek district. Priced at $1,650 for Cornerstone/Magnify members (includes airfare); $2,050 for others; one-time billing.
• Belize Medical Only Mission Trip Medical-only mission trip to Belize through All 4 Jesus Belize, focused on medical clinics and health support. Priced at $475 plus airfare for members; $775 plus airfare for others; one-time billing.
• Florida Mission Trip Mission trip to Florida in partnership with Iglesia Communidad Biblica - Spring Hill, FL, supporting church planting and community outreach. Priced at $750 for active members; $1,050 for others; one-time billing.
• Camp Longridge Summer Camp Summer camp program through Camp Longridge with registration costs and recommended $40 spending money for canteen. Targeted to children and students of the church and community.
• Father Daughter Dance Family event for fathers and daughters priced at $30 per family, one-time billing, designed to build intergenerational relationships within the church community.
• Parking Lot Mission Saturday morning outreach ministry serving financially struggling individuals and families with hot meals, food distribution, and shared Christ's love at HopeHealth in Florence, SC, on the fourth Saturday of each month.
• Discover Cornerstone Introductory membership class serving as the doorway to church membership, covering vision, mission, theological convictions, and church function; meets after the 10:30 AM worship service.
• Cornerstone Prayer Ministry Email-based prayer ministry sending weekly prayer requests covering church ministries, mission partnerships, and mission opportunities to the church family.
• YouTube Live Streaming of Sunday Services Live streaming of Sunday worship services through the church's YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person.
• Magnify Church: A Campus of Cornerstone (Hartsville) Second campus location adopted from 4th Street Baptist Church in Hartsville, SC, sharing the same mission as the main Darlington campus. Sunday services at 10:30 AM.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 1,100 members added over 20 years of ministry
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Pillar NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCornerstone's lead pastor Dr. Bill Curtis is a co-founder of The Pillar Network for Church Planting, headquartered in Raleigh, NC. The network supports church planting efforts nationally. Over 20 years, Cornerstone has partnered with 18 national and international church plants including 8 as lead sponsoring church.
• All 4 Jesus Belize (Tim & Jen Zittle)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormerly Kidz Konnect 4 Jesus, this ministry operates in the Stann Creek district of Belize providing Christian education in schools, feeding programs, family ministry, discipleship, skill training, and medical clinics. Cornerstone has been sending quarterly medical teams since 2011 under Dr. Ed Behling's direction.
• OM Ships (Ronelle van Heerden, David & Gerdien Waugh)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with OM Ships for international mission work. Cornerstone supports missionaries serving on Operation Mobilization ships that travel worldwide providing books and hosting mission events.
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) - SC (Richard & Kathy Cothran)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with FCA serving the Pee Dee region of South Carolina to reach athletes with the gospel message.
• Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCornerstone is a cooperating Southern Baptist congregation affiliated with SBC North American Mission Board (NAMB) and SBC International Mission Board (IMB). They affirm the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message as their doctrinal statement.
• Will & Eryn Cole - New Horizon Church (Mars, PA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch plant supported by Cornerstone in the Mars, PA area.
• Austin & Amy Mathis - Grace Church (Harrison, OH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch plant supported by Cornerstone in Harrison, OH.
• Adam & Judith McNinch - Christ Church Queensferry (Scotland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational church plant supported by Cornerstone in Queensferry, Scotland.
• House of Hope of the Pee DeeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal ministry partnership serving the Pee Dee region with hope and support services.
• AWANAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with AWANA organization for children's discipleship curriculum used in Cubbies (3-4 year olds), Sparks (K-2nd grade), and Truth & Training (3rd-5th grade) programs.
• 4th Street Baptist Church (Hartsville)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCornerstone adopted 4th Street Baptist Church in Hartsville, SC in partnership with the South Carolina Baptist State Convention to develop a new campus (Magnify Church: A Campus of Cornerstone).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Broad incumbents

• Bayside Church: Multi-campus evangelical church with strong small-groups, missions, and church-planting focus. Comparable missional DNA and multi-site operating model, though anchored in Northern California.
• Elevation Church: Large multi-site Southern Baptist church with strong digital/livestream presence and multi-generational programs. Comparable in its modern worship approach and mobile/app-driven engagement, though significantly larger.
• North Point Community Church: Multi-campus evangelical church with deep small-group, digital giving, and discipleship infrastructure. Comparable operational model and emphasis on small-group-driven community, though much larger.
• McLean Bible Church: Large multi-campus church with extensive digital infrastructure and small-group ecosystem. Comparable in its multi-site model and adoption of mobile/online giving platforms, though considerably larger in scale.

Regional players

• The Pillar Network: Church planting network co-founded by Cornerstone's Lead Pastor. Dr. Curtis's leadership role institutionalizes Cornerstone's connection to a broader church-planting movement across the Southeast and beyond.

Others

• AWANA: Children's discipleship curriculum provider used by Cornerstone's children's and Trek programs. Ecosystem partner rather than competitor, but a comparable indicator of children's ministry scale and standards.
• Lifeway Christian Resources: SBC-affiliated publisher and resource provider for Sunday school, VBS, and discipleship curriculum. Comparable in its Southern Baptist ecosystem positioning and provision of ministry infrastructure to SBC congregations.

Direct peers

• Seacoast Church: Multi-campus Southern Baptist-affiliated church in South Carolina with similar mid-to-large membership scale, contemporary worship, and multi-generational programming. Directly comparable as a multi-site Carolina-belt congregation.
• Cross Point Church: Multi-campus evangelical church with comparable small-group, children's, and missions programming. Similar scale trajectory and multi-site replication model.
• Church at Clayton Crossings: Mid-sized Southern Baptist congregation with comparable multi-generational programming and small-group approach. Similar scale and contemporary worship positioning.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/exit137cbc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqQ0zNFN1b5SyKQNrQxMyWA
• Facebookfacebook.com/exit137
• Instagraminstagram.com/cornerstone137
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/exit137

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cornerstone Baptist Church - Darlington, SC