Early Foundations in Church-Based Training

The origins of The Cornerstone Bible College and Seminary trace back to the early 1970s with the establishment of Valley Bible Church in Pinole, California. In October 1971, Pastor Phil Howard founded this church, which would become the seedbed for theological education in the San Francisco Bay Area. Working alongside Pastor Frank Griffith, Howard initiated leadership training classes at Valley Bible Church that would ultimately evolve into formal theological education.

Among the early participants in these foundational leadership training classes was Steve Fernandez, who would later prove pivotal in establishing both educational institutions. Fernandez completed the first two years of Expository Greek classes taught by Griffith and Howard, then pursued his philosophy degree at Hayward State University before enrolling at Dallas Theological Seminary. In 1976, he returned to join Valley Bible Church’s staff as associate pastor.

Establishment of Grace School of Theology and Ministry (1977)

Grace School of Theology was formally established in 1977 when Steve Fernandez, seeking to formalize the theological training occurring at Valley Bible Church, created a catalog and established a two-year program designed to meet the needs of men preparing for ministry as expositors and preachers of the Word of God. The school was initially located on the campus of Valley Bible Church in Hercules, California. While remaining steadfast to its original mission of preparing expository preachers, the school expanded its ministry over the decades to provide biblical, theological, and practical training to all Christians seeking preparation for various areas of service. 

In 1987, Grace School of Theology relocated its administrative offices and classes to a new location—the educational facility of Grace Bible Church in Pleasant Hill, under the leadership of Pastor Tony Sanelli. During this transition, the word “Ministry” was added to the school’s name, marking a deliberate emphasis on equipping students for effective ministry in God’s church rather than merely pursuing academic achievement.

Founding of The Cornerstone Seminary (2004)

By 2004, Steve Fernandez had developed a burden to establish a seminary to meet the growing needs of like-minded churches throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. On September 27, 2004, The Cornerstone Seminary was officially inaugurated in Vallejo, California, on the campus of Community Bible Church, with Fernandez serving as its first president. At the inaugural service, Fernandez declared his vision: “We want Christ to come here! Not somebody that’s known around the country, around the world. We want Christ to come here! Let him come through the doors! He’s who we need! He’s what our people need!” 

The Cornerstone Seminary was established with a distinctive “pastor-professor” model, requiring faculty members to maintain active pastoral ministry while teaching. Brian Shealy served as Academic Dean from 2004 to 2011. During these formative years, Dr. Michael Canham joined the faculty as its first full-time professor in 2005. Todd Bolton, a graduate of the seminary, joined the staff in 2010 and has since served the school in various capacities. In 2011, Adrian Donato succeeded Brian Shealy as academic dean, serving in this role until 2015.

Institutional Merger and Transition (2013-2014)

On March 31, 2013, founding President Steve Fernandez passed away after a brief battle with brain cancer. His death marked the end of an era in the school’s history. Yet, his vision for Christ-centered theological education continued through the merging of the two academic institutions he had faithfully served.[3]

The formal merger between Grace School of Theology and Ministry and The Cornerstone Seminary was completed in 2014. This consolidation created a more comprehensive theological institution that combined the strengths of both schools under the unified name The Cornerstone Bible College and Seminary.[3]

Following Steve Fernandez’s passing, the school faced significant challenges, but through the dedicated efforts of a devoted board of directors and the faithful service of Todd Bolton as dean of students, the institution continued to graduate students and serve local churches throughout Northern California.

Leadership Under Dr. Ryan Rippee (2019-Present)

Ryan Rippee was both a student at Grace School of Theology and Ministry in the 1990s and part of the first graduating class of The Cornerstone Seminary in 2007. He joined the faculty and board of Grace School of Theology and Ministry in 2005, then joined The Cornerstone Seminary faculty in fall 2007 following his graduation.

Under Rippee’s leadership as the second president, the school has experienced steady growth and strategic advancement in student enrollment, academic offerings, and program innovation. In 2023, the institution launched a Spanish-language program to address the growing needs of Spanish-speaking ministries in the Bay Area. Rippee continues to expand the faculty and enhance the school’s academic offerings.

Also in 2019, Dr. Derek Brown joined Rippee as Academic Dean. Under Brown’s leadership, the school began publishing The Cornerstone Journal of Pastoral Theology and Ministry in 2023. This publication continues the seminary’s commitment to serving the broader church through scholarly pastoral resources.

Legacy and Continuing Mission

From its humble beginnings in the leadership training classes of Valley Bible Church in the 1970s to the present-day Cornerstone Bible College and Seminary, these institutions represent over 45 years of unwavering commitment to Christ-centered theological education in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 2014 merger of Grace School of Theology and Ministry and The Cornerstone Seminary created a strengthened institution that continues to train pastors and church leaders according to the founding vision established by its pioneers.

The legacy of leaders like Frank Griffith, Steve Fernandez, and the many faculty members who have served these institutions continues through current leadership under Ryan Rippee, Derek Brown, and others who maintain the founding vision of exalting Christ through faithful biblical exposition and pastoral training. Today, The Cornerstone Bible College and Seminary stands as a testament to the power of local church commitment to theological education and the faithful preparation of Gospel ministers.