I am privileged to be the Pastor of Cornerstone Ministries of Napa Valley. Cornerstone is a Calvary Chapel affiliate church.

I was born in San Francisco in 1955, but my family moved to Orange County in 1961. I attended grades K-12 in Placentia, CA, and later attended Fullerton Junior College, and then Cal State Fullerton, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts/Music.

My first ministry involvement came in 1980, when I joined the Christian band “Undercover”, and was part of a music movement in Southern California. I was blessed to be lead singer on Undercover’s first three records. Playing to youth as a traveling music-missionary, I felt a calling upon my life to be involved in serving Jesus Christ.

I first started teaching the Bible in 1984, and soon realized that teaching and pastoring was the first priority for my life. I went on to sing with two other Christian rock groups: “The Fourth Watch”, from 1984-88, and then with “The Mirrors”, from 1988-1992. Both groups recorded a record during my time with them. Though I continue in worship ministry to the present, the highest calling on my is the role of pastor/teacher.

In 1989, I went on staff at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, under the leadership of Pastor Chuck Smith. I served there for 2 ½ years, as the College & Career Pastor, being ordained in 1990. In 1991, I was asked to consider starting a new church in Napa, a place I had visited while touring with Undercover in the 1980’s. I felt led of the Lord to accept the call, and our family moved to Napa in September of 1991.

I have been married to Debbie since 1982. We have three adult children: Sarah Schrader, who is married to Caleb, Chris, who is married to Melissa, and Jonathan Walden.

We have also been blessed with two grand daughters:
Isabella Grace Schrader, born January 13, 2009 to Sarah and Caleb.
Hadley Mae Walden, born February 9, 2010 to Chris and Melissa.

You can email me at pastorbillwalden@gmail.com