By Christina Rodriguez
Part Two
From packed stadiums in Cape Town to prayer-filled revival nights in Latin America, Bishop Michael Pitts has spent decades preaching a gospel that transcends culture, language, and geography. As the founder of Cornerstone Global Network, his voice has reached millions, but it all started with a storefront in Toledo, Ohio, and a commitment to teaching Kingdom principles above all else.
This second part of our feature explores the cross-cultural ministry, writings, and personal legacy of a man who has never sought a spotlight but has faithfully followed the call of God wherever it leads.
A Family Across Nations
Cornerstone Global Network wasn’t born from a branding strategy; it was born out of relational hunger. “There were pastors around the world who didn’t want a denomination,” Bishop Pitts explains. “They wanted a family.”
One of the most pivotal relationships came through the Peña family in Mexico City. Pastor Ofir Peña had just taken over a church when he heard Pitts preach a message called “My Sheep Know My Voice.” Even though he didn’t speak English fluently at the time, Peña knew this was the covering his church needed. He taught himself English so he could understand and eventually connect.
Over time, Cornerstone Global Network grew to include hundreds of churches across Latin America, many of which now operate under one logo, one mission, and one family identity. “We spent a year studying cultural values,” Pitts says. “We weren’t trying to Americanize anything. We were trying to unify under the Kingdom.”
His message in Latin America has been warmly embraced, largely because of the way he leads—with heart and humility. “We are a family,” he often says. “I never wanted people to feel I was above them. I came to walk with them.”
The Spirit of Excellence
Bishop Pitts teaches that basic principles transcend culture. “You don’t have to be rich or speak perfect English or Spanish to walk in Kingdom truth,” he says. “If God gives you something to do, and you’re anointed, you can win with substandard equipment.”
That’s the essence of the spirit of excellence, a recurring theme in his ministry. “Excellence isn’t about money or polish. It’s about doing the best you can with what you have and doing it with the right spirit.”
Even as a non-Spanish speaker, Pitts has preached extensively across Spanish-speaking nations because the principles he shares cut deeper than language. “We translate the sermons, but the truth is already speaking.”
Books That Speak Across Cultures
With over a dozen books in print, Bishop Pitts’ writing ministry is just as impactful as his preaching. His most personal? Fault Lines, a deeply introspective work that, he says, took his whole life to write.
“The first book was the hardest,” he reflects. “Because I had never done it before. But Power Shifters-that one came by revelation. It wasn’t study; it was deposited.”
His wife Kathi’s favorite, Soul Ties, has generated verifiable testimonies across the globe. “People have literally been set free after reading it,” he says.
Three of his books-Fault Lines, Breaking Ungodly Soul Ties, and Spiritual Assassins, have been translated into Spanish and are distributed widely in Mexico and beyond.
His hope for readers? “That the words mean something. That people are helped, that they go from point A to point B. My books will outlive me, and I’m okay with that.”
Family, Balance, and Leadership
Bishop Pitts’ approach to family and balance is refreshingly unconventional. “It’s not 50/50,” he says. “It’s 100% wherever I am. My family and my ministry aren’t separate. It’s one vision.”
Emerging pastors often ask how to stay grounded. His advice: “Stay accountable. Have someone you trust who can keep you centered. Enjoy the journey. Don’t run yourself into the ground. Self-care isn’t optional.”
He lives by this rhythm:
Divert daily. Withdraw weekly. Abandon annually.
Legacy and the Mantle Ahead
What does he want to leave behind? The answer is simple: kindness, honesty, and impact.
“I want people to feel like I was a good guy, that I used my influence to help others. That I believed in the brotherhood of all mankind: Black, white, African, Mexican. And that I refused to participate in being mean and ugly, even when it was easier to.”
Though the Cornerstone movement continues to grow, Bishop Pitts has transferred the mantle to his daughter and son in law who are growing it, transforming it and taking it to new levels to reach more people. Future leadership will emerge, and he’s committed to empowering the next generation of apostolic voices to take the Kingdom further than he ever could.
A Gift for You
To honor his deep connection with the Spanish-speaking world, Bishop Michael Pitts is offering a Spanish version of his book Fault Lines for $5.99.
Scan the QR code below to purchase your digital download.
Final Word
He’s been misunderstood. He’s been underestimated. But Bishop Michael Pitts has never lost focus.
One of his spiritual fathers, Bishop T.D. Jakes, once looked him in the eyes and said: “Stand up. The world is waiting on you.”
He stood. And he never sat back down.
From Toledo to the Nations: The Early Life and Ministry of Bishop Michael Pitts Part One