Pastor Michael was never conclusively identified at any of the locations of his charges. Pastor John Onwuchekwa's decision comes a year after Cornerstone Church received a $175K grant from the denomination to renovate its building. Also, Im not the one that is acting like this shining beacon of light like you are. Are you being sarcastic or is that a compliment? Review of Cornerstone Church, Maumee, OH - Tripadvisor Follow her on Twitter @Sjtaddeo. Nineteen others14 of them speaking on the record,including former camp staff members, their family members andpastors in the region said theypersonally witnessedAarumsactions, or heard aboutthemfrom staff or loved ones. Whats that called again (I dont have an understudy degree) oh yea FRAUD. The Blade is a terrible newspaper devoid of ethics and integrity! Did you wear braces Kristi? On the surface, we know that its the promise of mega money which lures in vultures like Jakes, Long and White. Ultimately false doctrine will lead to sinful actions, no doubt. What does that matter? But, the one thing that made me open my eyes to the reality of my church was the internet and a website called reveal. It's sad that now Bishop Pitt's daughter and her husband have been thrown under the bus to continue the legacy to bring harm to the people of God. For MANY reasons. The Cstone app from Cornerstone Church connects you with everything that is happening. Those who didnt fit the type boys and plain-looking or heavier-set girls wereoftenignoredorbrushed off, said Ferrante and McDonald, whom Ferrante said he often saw inone-on-one conversationswith Aarum. Thank You Lord for all that you are doing in my life and in the lives of those who you have called and anointed for this season!!! Mahaney offered no apology, only the vague self-deprecation and false-humility that are typical of his patter, and the sort of rhetorical back-slapping that one would expect in the boys club of evangelical Christianity. Try reading the 6th chapter of I Timothy that says withdraw thyself from those that preach godliness is a source of gain. Im just curious what would happen if everyone at Cornerstone quit tithing. Ive never questioned whether or not he sinned. The lawsuit against SGM, which fizzled out in the late spring due to statutes of limitations, alleged that church leaders, including Mahaney, had actively worked to protect multiple abuse perpetrators while harassing and intimidating victims into silence. Cornerstone Church Toledo Sex Abuse Lawsuits - Facebook No questions have been asked about this experience. Meet #MattRasor who is the Chief Financial Officer at Cornerstone Church under the leadership of Bishop Michael Pitts. It quickly evolvedto include allegations of Aarums abuse at Circle C Ranch, all of which were ultimately included in the investigations findings. All things are possible if you believe. Thats your defensiveness rising up in you. AGAIN, ANYONE WHO SAYS TO HIS BROTHER, RACA IS ANSWERABLE TO THE SANHEDRIN. He has never done these things, and dont believe the garbage you hear about offerings and services etc etc. He said, I need you to make sure Wayne isnt touching girls or is alone withthem.In a sick way, I already felt like that was myresponsibility.. Not sure how he found this website, but none-the-less, Im broken-hearted that my unfortunate past has been BB-Q (to quote my nonsense impersonator). Cornerstone Church (Maumee) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. so I dont sweat the small stuff. so, if you didnt get that, it wasnt at all because she was not outgoing that I thought her snotty at all. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Religion from Reed College, where he wrote his thesis on Christian Worship Music. Founder and former Senior Leader of Cornerstone Church Toledo. she was kinda snotty! You people are just jealous of his success and despite your best efforts, his church continues to grow. You know Matt, if you spent as much time arguing the CAUSE OF CHRIST, instead of the CAUSE OF PASTOR PITTS, maybe more people would be in Heaven someday. For example, many of the critics are from the Catholic Church. What good is all this gossiping and backstabbing doing the Kingdom of God? In afall 2020 letter,Wayne Aarum saidhe was reinstatedas presidentand that Circle Cs independent investigation was complete, andhad found no factual basisfor the allegations against him at that point. long time member I would be interested to know. [2], In June 1986, Pitts and his wife Kathi moved to Toledo to start a non-denominational church, which they named Cornerstone Church. Michael Pitts was identified and arrested in Delta, Ohio in 1995 for public indecency and did attend counseling for this arrest. But no, just because hes a pastor, he can do whatever he wants and get away with it. This is a discussion/comment area, and Im commenting on the subject at hand. Do you have a system of discipling or spiritual guidance your expected to seek? I have questioned if his indescrepencies subtract from the validity of his message.I guess that something you need to ponder upon. [1], Michael Pitts was born in south Lima, Ohio, in 1964 to factory workers Eugene and Brenda Pitts. Toledo is a very racist, bureaucratic and segregated place that fears the truth and God. You see, Pastor Michael Pitts was charged with several counts of exposing himself to strangers. Had the authorities had any convincing evidence on him, they would not have dropped all the charges and offered him a trespassing plea, would they? If he and his congregation have donated gifts to the inner city children, why not donate a house, car, jewelry and money to MY family who work so hard for the things they are struggling to get instead of lining their pockets with Fools gold? I WAS in fact looking for some past info. Others were less sure. Im not speaking of an arrest warrant, which is not actually issued by a judge. Abusers mayrelyonthat societal perceptiontocreate an environment in which theirabuse can continuein plain sight, she said. Dear anonymous commenter, Copyright 2023, Cornerstone Church. The boys told the cops who then pulled over Pastor Pitts! Cornerstone Church exists to help people find the Father, a family, and a fulfilling future. I was a member there for a number of years with my family then I attended alone because my husband refused to go back. FYI: If you post on this forum again pretending to be Michael Pitts, Im going to personally send him an e-mail and then maybe the real Pastors attorneys can issue you a warrant. 2019. He was in town he was arrested on the day of incident. The only man whos life im intrested in diggin around in is Jesus. After telling police last year he'd been molested by a youth pastor at Cornerstone Fellowship Church in Mathews County, a 16-year-old boy got an unusual call, according to court testimony. Thirdly: During the beginning of the trial, more than 4 people (women)reported to the police that the individual they saw had an uncanny likeness to michael pitts and they gave a description of a car that was later followed up on and the individual that owned the car DID have a definite likeness to the pastor, as well as a record as long as your arm of indecent exposure and assault!! . Im not trying to critize, just inform you. They also have issue with the fact that the church building and furnishings are so nice, but imagine how much it would cost in today. I am poor, but I live in the realm of reality and dont deceive myself into thinking that God wants me rich. Everyone says they always turn you down though, and you have to fight. Despite these efforts to raisethe alarmabout Aarumsbehavior,he remains in his position as president at Circle C Ranch as of spring2021, a role in which he has spentconsiderable time with adolescent staff members. Let God handle him. Go, give him your money and listen to his false doctrine. and Maumee). Stay away from this false prophet and his cohorts until they repent. All fourdid not respond. Why didnt the church fold? But the Ranchsboard rejected Hilliker's findings, Fancher said. They are by-products of being worshipped and idolized. This, and only this, is the belief that God accepts as righteous. Shereportedhim at the timetopastors at The Chapel,who eventually met withhimat least four separate times between 1997 and 1998 regarding his physicalhabitswith teenage girls, according to excerpts from Aarumspersonnel fileat The Chapel, provided by email to the USA TODAY NETWORK by Chapel leadership. 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. After the lawsuit against SGM was dropped, in fact, Mohler and two fellow evangelicals published astatement of supportfor Mahaney, calling him our friend and a vast influence for good. The statement claimed that Mahaney was not charged with any credible, serious, and direct wrongdoing. Thus, they wrote, we, along with many others, refused to step away from C.J. If Pastor Pitts is guilty of that sin FORGIVE HIM mind your business and go on preaching the truth to the ones in need. In 2020, The Chapel hiredMinistrySafe,a consulting company supported bylaw firmLove & Norris thatprovidesthird-party investigations of abuse allegations in Christian ministries,to conduct an independent investigation into theclaims. Hed ask how their relationships with familyorboyfriends were going, and what he could do to help. Unless the church needs it, Pastor Pitts doesns ask us for it. The Bible mention false prophets. Pastor Pitts pled guilty to trespassing. Joe Schmoe would be hated in the community and locked up. He validated my life., In aApril 28 emailto the USA TODAY NETWORK, WayneAarum acknowledged that his conversationswithyouth group membersat The Chapel, meant to help them navigate their adolescent struggles, could have sometimes hurt (them) because of the listeners personal situation, he said." There have been patterns of sexual misconduct and perversion from ministers and associate pastors over the years when I was a member and before then. Righteousnees seek the welfare of others more than the welfare of themselves. Make An Impact. Obviously, he is above reproach. In 1997, he faced eight counts of public indecency and seven counts of criminal trespass, linked to a series of incidents in which a man matching Pastor Pitts description was reported exposing himself to people in places like a local park and a Wal-Mart parking lot. If you notice on his website there is no mention of Jesus. Pastor Michael Pitts spent nine days in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio after state troopers pulled him over last December. Hmmmmm. In response, The Chapels executive pastor, John Camardo, said in a May 1 statement to reporters: The Chapel has reviewed the personnel file and believes that the assertations made by Mr. Aarum are not consistent with the contents of the file.. Suggested duration 1-2 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show. Given the lack of critical response to the appearance, Mahaney will likely feel more comfortable returning to the broader evangelical conference circuit. I dont care if you let the mean rest. July 16, 2020 09:07 AM. 6 1. It is not pastor Pitts efforts that will make him righteous, nor mine or yours. The year sincewould be punctuated by texts to McDonalds phone other womentellingher theyd been abused, too. And, truly there was no real explaination given for his actions. The answer, apparently, is 7 months. Barnaum or even the great Dr. Suess, Jesus has the first, last and middle words. When she finished telling him about it, Aarum praised her;he said God still loved her. Many camp staffers credit Circle C Ranch as being integral to their personal spiritual growth and the formation of lastingconnections within the area Christian community. None of the townspeople knew they were part of a scheme to rob them of their lives. Barnum may have had something to say about the issue. A buddy of mine used to video tape the services at Cornerstone. You people need to pick up a Bible and get a church home, instead of judging someone that is following God will for his life. Get Involved. NOT GODS!! His car was spotted near where several of the incidents occurred. 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. Oh, btw, I met mrs. pitts. His alleged penchant for public masturbation only became a story after he was facing criminal indictment. Thats an improper assumption on your part. Have you not read in the New Testament that if you do one part of the law you are obligated to keep all of the law? I really cannot imagine anyone as high profile, in the city of Toledo at least, cognoscentely exposing themselves to some kids. It is not Bill Gates billions of dollars in donations that makes him righteous. app is safe and it keeps me connected to what I need most, thank you Lord, https://pushpay.com/legal-center/privacy/. A comment from subversive Christian bloggerJulie Anne Smithwhom I spoke to about a month ago was sadly prescient: As long as a pastor has the right theology, their behavior, no matter how bad it is, can be covered up.. Cornerstone Church 18755 Stone Oak Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78258 210-490-1600 connect@SACornerstone.org God Bless Pastor Pitts, Cornerstone Church, and all heares and doers of Gods word. Joshua Benton a former staff writer and columnist for The Dallas Morning News wrote about Pitts heretofore slick abilities to avoid the legal noose for his perverted crimes. 11 hours ago, - I agree with Lily on the things that she compares with the Bible. In fact, Pastor Pitts is ministering more now than ever. At around noon on Jan. 27, 1975, a two-tone Cadillac pulls up to a vacant house in Irving, Texas. That has been my point. Im an attorney and helped a small church that had a similar situation aka the pastors both were extremely ill. Darla: what did you mean by his kids dont defame people for all the world to see? Ferrante said hewouldspeak toWes Aarum Sr.about Wayne Aarumshabitseight or nine more timesbefore leaving his position at Circle C.Wes Aarum Sr. died in March 2020. Do his messages make you feel like you arent doing enough but you find yourself fretting over where youre going to find more time or how youre going to explain to loved ones why you have to spend even MORE time doing church-related things? [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. oh, and kat? I have no doubt that Cornerstone does many wonderful things. A warrant is: a writ issued usually by a judge or magistrate which commands an otherwise illegal act and affords the person executing the writ protection from damages if the act is performed. A line up would have been nice. Theres some thoughts to ponder Julie. No matter how broken and desperate you are, He is still a miracle-working God. If youve had experiences with Wayne Aarum that you believe to be abusive, please help us investigate. Dekalb declined to comment generally for this story. And Mohler has been just as steadfast a friend to Mahaney, using his influence to help promote Mahaneys work in the past with no signs that the lawsuitecaused Mohlers faith in Mahaney to waver on iota. Wayne Aarum was the first man Joy McCullough ever held hands with. Pastor Pitts oversees aVAST NETWORKof churches throughout the country and outside the United States. Jennifer Adema,now 42 and living in Salt Lake City, Utah, alleges she wasinappropriatelytouched by Aarum onmissionstrips and at The Chapel in the 1990s. The goodness of the Lord affecting all nations is a recurring theme of the Ministry of Cornerstone. Carolyn McDonald was one of the first women to make the Circle C board aware of her abuse allegations, in the form ofanemailonOct. 6. If the city of Toledo had viable evidence againt Pastor Michael why would they have offered him a plea down. You guessed it. I dont buy it. Do you think these mega-churches he preaches at aernt paying him? I just move to area when all that stuff was going on, I really didnt understand why. He never gave them any inkling of an idea either, since he wanted to keep the door open for them so he would know what they were up to. Members are told to shut up and follow him, and believe me thats what they do. We, as Christians ALL have a code of behavior we are to follow. So I dont care that I am gossiping, besides Im not a pastors wife therefore I am also not bound by this imaginary code of behavior. When the good Lord walked this earth, he was clothed in simple robes with sandals or on many occassions wore callouses on the soles of his bare feet! 35 years experience public speaking in over 20 nations. WHAT HURTS HIS CREDIBILITY MORE THAN ANYTHING IS THAT HE WAS DRUNK AND WAS DRIVING. Oh, and Hayden, thanks for giving your name. Not tearing him down. Lucky the Leprechaun. The people at Cornerstone are blinded to the truth because they worship him. Pitts is not the end all be all in the Charismatic realm. A urine test confirmed Pitts was legally drunk although he told the court he only drank two glasses of wine. No one is going to pray in his name. Well, I Googled Pastor Pitts, and I was surprised to find that there was no mention anywhere on the Internet of his alleged indiscretions. The MinistrySafereportgiven tolocalChild Protective Services in2021 outlined that the company hadfoundevidence of an ongoing pattern of manipulation and intimacy between Aarum and teenage girls. Last time I checked, Dave, I wasnt trying to convince anyone I was a holy man who is the best route to understanding God. Pastor Pitts hired some very fine attorneys and, in the end, all charges except for two criminal trespass misdemeanors were suddenly dropped. Perhaps you didnt decipher this from my prior postings so let me make myself abundantly clear: I love Pastor Michael Pitts. The trooper said he smelled alcohol, and did a field sobriety test. You cant really think he doesnt know this about you. Hes more focused on speaking to asset owners. Jakes and Mark Chirona who have both recently had Michael Pitts in to preach. Gillissaid he brought the concern tohis Chapel colleagueWes Aarum Jr., Wayne Aarums brother, who said hed handle it from there,Gillis said. There are others who have gambled everything doing far lesstell me why Pitts would be above it??? Aarum was neitherdefensive norapologetic, she said. In early 2021, The Chapelheld a members-only meeting to sharesome of the findingsand to announce the church wassuspendingall activities and financial ties to Circle C Ranch. Michael Pitts (@bishoppitts) / Twitter
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