Michael Pitts (pastor)

Michael Pitts
Born	Michael Stephen Pitts (1964-08-31) August 31, 1964 Lima, Ohio, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Pastor
Religion	Christianity
Spouse(s)	Kathi Pitts
Website
http://www.michaelpitts.com

Michael Pitts is an American pastor, preacher and author based in Toledo, Ohio. He is the founding pastor of Cornerstone Church and oversees the Cornerstone Global Network, a network of over 120 churches throughout the USA, Mexico, South Africa and the UK. He was consecrated as a bishop by the International Communion of Charismatic Churches in 2009.^[1] He has authored several books, including Breaking Ungodly Soul Ties, Power Shifters, and Boundary Shifters.

Ministry Beginnings

At the age of 16 Pitts felt the "call" to preach. He would spend much of his latter teenage years traveling from Church to Church requesting an opportunity to preach from local Pastors. Pitts recounts of honing his preaching ability by preaching to "soda bottles" as props during a part time convenient store job, imagining they were people. Then, in 1985, Michael Pitts married Kathi Gamble in his hometown of Lima, Ohio.

The following June, with a $1000 gift from his parents, and a Bible, they moved to Toledo to start a non-denominational pentecostal church, named Cornerstone Church.^[1][2] The couple, alongside his older brother Robert and wife Kelly, painted a piece of plywood white with the name of the Church in Cornerstone's now iconic red lettering.

The first Sunday drew 35 people to a small store front building, and due to its rapid growth, moved twice in its first four years. In 1995 Pitts moved the Church to its present location, refurbishing "a sprawling former retail plaza". As of 2005 it became the largest church in Norhwest Ohio, with 4,000 members.^[2] In 1998, Cornerstone Church purchased the WDMN-AM Radio Station.^[3]

Ministry

Pitts was consecrated as a bishop by the International Communion of Charismatic Churches in October 2009 for his oversight of the Cornerstone Global Network, an expanding network of more than 120 Churches around the globe.^[1] By 2010 he had published seven books.^[1]

Pitts has had three mentors during his time in ministry. The first was Lester Sumrall, who died in 1996. The next was Carlton Pearson, who Pitts parted ways with after Pearson started preaching a doctrine of inclusivity (that all go to heaven). His current mentor is Bishop T.D. Jakes, the founder and senior pastor of The Potter's House Church, Dallas.^[1][2]

In 2015 he commenced monthly revival services in San Jose, California at a Church called Jubilee Christian Center. He has known Pastor Dick Bernal since first preaching at their Annual Conference "Thunder in the Bay" in 1998.^[4]

Philanthropy

Michael Pitts at WOWJAM 2014

Pitts is the founder of the "Heal The World" organization, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that funds philanthropic efforts locally, nationally, and globally. The name for the organization comes from his reading of a scripture in the Bible, Revelation 22:2. Heal The World services range from covering the cost of soup kitchen Thanksgiving meals,^[5] to collecting Bibles for US soldiers,^[6] to partnering with Mercy Ministries,^[7] to hosting the African Children's Choir,^[8] and supporting Dr Patricia Bailey-Jones who ministers with Master's Touch Ministry Global.^[9]

Over the past 20 years, Pitts has partnered with, and hosted annual WOWJAMs, a ministry started by Stephen and Linda Tavani aimed at reaching poorer communities around the city by utilizing music, games, dances, and prizes.^[10][11]

Pitts has traveled extensively for his philanthropic efforts in areas effected by natural disasters and in Africa. In 2010 a team travelled to Haiti in response to the devastating earthquake with the goal of assisting in rebuilding houses. Heal The World also funds the Cornerstone Academy, an award winning school in the village of Odokono N'kwanta, Ghana, and built the well that provides fresh water to the region. ^[12]

Personal Life

Family

Michael and Kathi Pitts

Michael is the second of four children to Eugene and Brenda Pitts. He and his siblings were born in Lima, Ohio. His wife Kathi is the younger of two children born to Jack and Janette Gamble. Kathi and her brother were born in Bryan, Ohio and spent several years in Colorado before returning to Ohio.

Michael and Kathi have two adult children, both born in the first few years of ministry at Cornerstone Church. Their first is named Meredith (married to Philip) and their second is named Stephen (married to Rosie Joy). Philip and Meredith both live in Toledo and are involved in Ministry at Cornerstone Church. Stephen and Rosie live in Sydney, Australia where the couple met, and are pursuing careers in music.^[13]

Legal Issues

In August 2000 Pitts was arrested for drunk driving. He admitted to celebrating the release of his book by drinking a little wine over dinner with friends, and told his church that he accepts responsibility and would face whatever charges were laid out before him. 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.^[14][15] Then in December 2006, Pitts was stopped for a routine vehicle inspection. The trooper said he smelled alcohol and took Pitts into custody. The breathalyzer machine at the outpost was broken, so troopers say Pitts provided a urine sample that was sent to Columbus for analysis. The results confirmed he was legally over the limit. Pitts again pleaded "no contest" and the Judge sentenced him 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.^[16][17]

Bibliography

• Help! I Think God Is Trying To Kill Me ISBN 978-0883687741
• Don't Curse Your Crisis ISBN 978-1930027367
• Boundary Shifters ISBN 978-0972671859
• Living On The Edge ISBN 978-0963358325
• Christian Words and Concepts ISBN 978-1930027206
• Breaking The Assignment Of Spiritual Assassins ISBN 978-0963358318
• Power Shifters ISBN 978-0972671842
• Breaking Ungodly Soul Ties ISBN 978-0972671804
• Heal The World^[18]

References