Pastor Gary Hamrick joined full-time ministry in 1987 as a high school youth pastor, and in 1991, Cornerstone Chapel’s 18 charter members asked him to become the church’s first pastor. Today, Cornerstone is home to several thousand weekly worshipers whom Pastor Gary desires to equip through the teaching of God’s Word, relating Biblical truth to everyday life in practical, relevant, and often humorous ways.
Pastor Gary received Christ as his personal Lord and Savior when he was in high school and soon wrestled with a call to ministry. He initially denied that calling and instead pursued a communications degree at American University with aspirations in broadcast journalism. However, he surrendered to God’s calling, transferred schools, completed a Bachelor of Biblical Studies, and received his ordination from Pastor Chuck Smith and the Calvary Chapel Association.
Pastor Gary married his wife Terri in 1987, and they have three grown children (who also serve in ministry) and eight grandchildren. Terri volunteers with our Women’s Ministry and served for many years as its director. Today she continues her ministry work in a supporting role, while also relishing her role as a grandmother and source of support to Pastor Gary and their children.
Pastoring in the shadow of the Nation’s Capital has allowed Pastor Gary opportunities to meet and pray with government officials such as the President, Cabinet Secretaries, Supreme Court Justices, members of Congress, and the Governor of Virginia.
He is on the Board of Directors at the Museum of the Bible and the Family Research Council, both in Washington D.C. His radio broadcast, “Cornerstone Connection” airs weekdays on over 200 radio stations, and Cornerstone’s online campus reaches thousands of people across the country and around the globe.
Pastor Gary is an avid news “junkie” and enjoys fishing, camping, playing sports, woodworking, and especially spending time with his family.