Our Pastors

About Our Pastors

In 1975 a young, newly married Barry & Ann Burns returned to the Tri-Cities to answer the call of God to establish a New Testament Church in the East Tennessee region. With a burning desire to give others the Truth that was transforming them, they forsook all to realize the dream of seeing people experience in this life all that Jesus Christ came to provide. They are true pioneers in the non-denominational movement.

Cornerstone Church was established in 1984 as a multi-generational, multi-cultural, charismatic, family church with Pastors Barry and Ann as the Senior Pastor Team. Both are dynamic teachers with a heart to see lives transformed by the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the last decade, their teachings have greatly emphasized God’s Grace and unconditional love for humanity. In 2008, their outreach “Reigning In Life” returned to television and began broadcasting on the internet. Since then, millions of people across the globe have been touched by the Good News that the Cornerstone Congregation hears every week.

Pastors Barry and Ann

Pastors Barry and Ann have been married for over 40 years and have three grown children – Jonathan, Andrew and Julianna, and 8 grandchildren. Jonathan is married to Jessica and has three daughters, Arabella, Avery and Millicent. Andrew is married to Jamie and they have three children, Annalise, Ian and Carina. Julianna is married to Shane Evans and they have two sons, Hutchinson and Oliver. All of their children call Johnson City home and serve in various capacities within Cornerstone Church.

Dr. Barry Burns

Pastor Barry is dedicated to transform the lives of men, women and children through the power of the Word of God. For over three decades, he has used his gifts of leadership and teaching to equip the Body at Cornerstone Church for victorious Christian living. After any conversation with Pastor Barry, you walk away uplifted and loved. He is truly an example of servant leadership. Aside from his teaching in the main sanctuary, he oversees the Staff and Volunteer Leaders in Pastoral Care and Adult Education.

Pastor Barry also has a heart to see other Pastors flourish. He served as the director of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM) for many years. In 2012, Andrew Wommack approached Pastor Barry and asked him to lead his newly created Association of Related Ministries International (ARMI). He accepted the challenge and pioneered the group as its International Director until 2020, where he encouraged and trained Pastors around the globe.

Rev. Ann Burns

Pastor Ann is foremost a teacher and preacher of the Word of God. She teaches it in a way that is both down to earth and powerful. For nearly 40 years, she has helped steer the direction of Cornerstone Church to become a beacon of excellence in the Tri-Cities and whose influence now spans the world. She continues to serve the Body of Christ at Cornerstone by overseeing many ministries, setting the standard, providing leadership and inspiration.

In addition, she invested herself for decades in order to establish a worship ministry within Cornerstone Church which features exceptional talent, and those with the true heart of worship. Pastor Ann has a heart for raising up the next generation. For 15 years, she headed the college/career ministry at Cornerstone. Many of her students are now leaders in the body of Christ.

Pastor Ann and Pastor Barry are a great example of a husband-wife ministry team. She loves being a wife, and the mother of 3 grown children, and now, grandmother to 8 grandchildren. She exemplifies the unconditional acceptance, grace and abundant love that she has learned from the example of Jesus to everyone with whom she comes in contact.