Rev. Elyse Nielsen

Pastor Elyse is passionate about sharing God's love through teaching, preaching, and administration at Cornerstone Church and Cornerstone Kids Preschool. Her fifteen years of experience in children's and youth ministry positions her as a clear choice for experimental ministry like planting a church in a preschool and revitalizing an established congregation.

Before ministry she toured nationally and internationally with the Missoula Children's Theatre. The intersection of the arts, education, "secular" spaces, and social activism is where she feels called to urge the local church into ministry. She also has experience with ministry on the margins like bar ministry and prison chaplaincy.

Pastor Elyse earned her Master's of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2015 and Cornerstone is her second appointment as an elder in full connection with the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Pastor Elyse, her husband Eric, with their baby Eleanor like discovering new restaurants and home recipes. Pastor Elyse enjoys dancing, hosting dinner parties, and going to the beach. Eric is an avid reader, major Pats football fan, and he plays bass guitar. They also have Reggie, the cockatiel.