Michael Pitts (pastor)

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Michael Pitts
Pitts in 2014
Born
Michael Stephen Pitts

(1964-08-31) August 31, 1964 (age 59)
Lima, Ohio, United States
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPastor
Years active1986-present
SpouseKathi Pitts
ReligionChristianity
Websitemichaelpitts.com

Michael Pitts is an American pastor, preacher, and author. He is the founding pastor of Cornerstone Church and oversees the Cornerstone Global Network, a network of over 150 churches throughout the US, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, South Africa and the UK. He was consecrated as a bishop by the International Communion of Charismatic Churches in 2009.[1]

Early life and career[edit]

Michael Pitts was born in south Lima, Ohio, in 1964 to factory workers Eugene and Brenda Pitts. His parents were raised attending church regularly. At the age of 14, Pitts felt called to become a preacher.[2]

In June 1986, Pitts and his wife Kathi moved to Toledo to start a non-denominational church, which they named Cornerstone Church.[1][3] The church grew rapidly and by the age of 26, Pitts was preaching to over 1,000 weekly members.[4] In 1995, Pitts moved the Church to Reynolds Road in Maumee, just outside Toledo, with a 2,500-seat facility.[5] As of 2005 it became the largest church in Northwest Ohio, with 4,000 members.[3] It was the first racially integrated church in the region.[6] In 1998, Cornerstone Church purchased WDMN, an AM radio station in Toledo, and sold it in 2012.[7]

Pitts has not attended seminary or theological college, but is self-taught from tapes, CDs, books, and other materials.[8]

Career[edit]

Pitts was consecrated as a bishop by the International Communion of Charismatic Churches in October 2009 for his oversight of the Cornerstone Global Network, a network of more than 120 churches.[1] He has published more than a dozen books.[1]

In 2015, Pitts commenced monthly revival services in San Jose, California.[9] Pitts has preached at the annual Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance conference several times,[10] as well as in Mexico and at annual meetings in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Ghana.[11]

Michael Pitts at WOWJAM 2014

Pitts is the founder of "Heal The World", a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that activities include covering the cost of soup kitchen Thanksgiving meals,[12] collecting Bibles for US soldiers,[13] and partnering with Mercy Ministries.[14] Heal The World also funds the Cornerstone Academy, a school in the village of Odokono N'kwanta, Ghanan.[15]

Pitts has partnered with, and hosted annual WOWJAMs, an event started by Stephen and Linda Tavani aimed at reaching poorer communities around the city by utilizing music, games, dances, and prizes.[16][17]

In December 2015, Pitts released the album Heal The World, containing songs co-written by Pitts and featuring Israel Houghton, Sheryl Brady, The Katinas, Lucia Parker, Linda Green (of Peaches & Herb) and Bryan Popin.[18]

Criminal and financial matters[edit]

On September 18, 1997, Pitts was arrested on charges of exposing himself to passing motorists near Oak Openings Metropark in Swanton, Ohio. In the months following, additional charges from other locations were added. The public indecency charge was dropped on January 15, 1998 when Judge Francis Gorman of the Toledo Municipal Court ruled that the statute of limitations had expired for the initial event. Eight additional public indecency charges were dropped due to "substantial evidentiary considerations" and Pitts pleaded "no contest" to two charges of criminal trespassing and was sentenced to 60 days in jail.[19] Following the trial, Metroparks ranger Russell Maneval was suspended for 60 days by the Toledo Area Metroparks for falsifying information on police logs involved in the Toledo case.[20]

Pitts' church invested in TV station WMNT-TV, Channel 48, in Toledo in 1997. Over the next 8 years the church invested over $800,000 into the station, eventually purchasing 37% ownership. In 2005, the church filed for a restraining order to halt its attempted sale by then owner, Lamaree Marty Miller. This started a string of court cases that included the discovery of illegal activity and fraud by Mr Miller. In 2007 the Church severed all ties with Miller, who later filed bankruptcy and relocated.[21] In 1998, Cornerstone Church purchased one of the last gospel radio stations in Toledo. Immediately following the purchase, several area pastors complained that their shows had been pulled from regular programming. Pitts' response was that in line with the purchase, all programs were being evaluated, and those wanting to remain on the air were welcome to reapply.[22]

In August 2000, Pitts was charged with a DUI. He pleaded “no contest” to the charge of driving while intoxicated and was sentenced to three days in a DWI program for first-time offenders.[23][19] In 2006, Pitts again pleaded "no contest" to a DUI and was sentenced to 9 days in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio, a fine of $300, and suspension of Pitts’ driving license for one year, starting April 2007.[24][25]

Personal life[edit]

Pitts is the second of four children to Eugene and Brenda Pitts. He is married to Kathi and they have two children.[26]

Bibliography[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Yonke, David (January 23, 2010). "Cornerstone's pastor elevated to higher rank". Toledoa Blade. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  2. ^ Scott, Rebekah (February 9, 1997). "A go-getter for God". No. Toledo Magazine. Toledo Blade.
  3. ^ a b Editor, Religion (November 26, 2005). "Rev. Pitts, Wife Included Among Power Shifters". Toledo Blade. Retrieved July 15, 2014. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ Tarjanyi, Judy (25 August 1991). "Growing strong: Four local churches where the congregations are rising to the heavens". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  5. ^ Strayer, Don (March 5, 1995). "Cornerstone group moves to new home". Toledo Blade.
  6. ^ Gorny, Nicki. "Diversity a goal of local congregations". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  7. ^ Editor, Religion. "Pastors Lament Loss of Access to WDMN-AM". Toledo Blade. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ Burris, Keith. "Cornerstone Church and its leader are the real deal". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  9. ^ Barger, TK. "Bishop Pitts: New period of awakening is coming to California". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  10. ^ Gorny, Nicki. "Spiritual revival event showcases talented teens". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  11. ^ "Pr Jessica shares her testimony in Ghana". Uganda Christian News. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  12. ^ McKinnon, Julie. "Toledo charity lost its leader but not her spirit". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  13. ^ Yonke, David. "Churches equip U.S. soldiers with over 5000 Bibles". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  14. ^ "Cornerstone Toledo Youth Visit Mercy Ministries Today". Mercy Ministries. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  15. ^ Krolak, Karen (March 2013). "Doing good to heal the world". First Local Toledo. Archived from the original on December 31, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  16. ^ "Local church to sponsor benefit for city's needy". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  17. ^ Staff, Blade. "Cornerstone Brings Ministry Program". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  18. ^ Barger, TK (2016-02-20). "Heal The World". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  19. ^ a b Yonke, David. "Cornerstone pastor writes 2 books on handling crises". Toledo Blade.
  20. ^ Reiter, Mark. "Metropark ranger in Pitts case suspended". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  21. ^ Yonke, David. "Low-power Toledo TV station produces a high-stakes drama". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  22. ^ "Pastors Lament Loss of Access to WDMN". Blade Religion Editor. Toledo Blade. Retrieved 8 November 2016.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  23. ^ "Pitts Admits To Drinking Wine". Toledo Blade.
  24. ^ Baker, A. "Toledo Area Pastor Released from Jail after Serving Nine Days". Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  25. ^ Ryan, Carl. "Pastor Gets 9 Days In Jail". Toledo Blade.
  26. ^ "The Team".
  27. ^ Gorny, Nicki. "'Fault Lines'". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
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