Our Founder
R. Russell Bixler
Founder of Cornerstone
TeleVision
1927-2000
Russ Bixler
R. Russell Bixler was born in Boston, Massachusetts, April 24, 1927, and attended public schools in Maryland. He enrolled in Western Maryland College and transferred to Bridgewater College, Virginia, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1947. He lettered in basketball and track in college. His college education was interrupted by a year's service in the U.S. Navy.
He continued his education at Bridgewater College where he received an M. A. in government in 1949. The next seven years were spent in the business world. He then entered Bethany Theological Seminary in Chicago where he received the M. Div. (cum laude) in 1959. Further studies were continued at Duquesne University and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Russ was married to the former Norma Bowman of Roanoke, Virginia for fifty-one years. They have four children, eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Following seminary, Russ became pastor of the Pittsburgh Church of the Brethren, and completed thirteen years as pastor before resigning in 1972 to begin broader ministries. Bixler continued to be an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren.
Russ served for 20 years as the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the annual Greater Pittsburgh Charismatic Conference, a five-day teaching conference which became internationally famous. As part of the charismatic renewal, he had a preaching and teaching ministry which spanned the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and four European nations. He has been listed in Who's Who in the East, Who's Who in Religion, Who's Who in Entertainment, and Who's Who in the Media.
Russell Bixler was the Founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone Television, Inc. a ministry that includes WPCB-TV, Channel 40 of Pittsburgh, and WKBS-TV, Channel 47 of Altoona, PA and many affiliate stations. Cornerstone Television, Inc. broadcasts twenty-four hours-a-day across North America. There are viewers in all fifty states and many surrounding nations who are watching through satellite receivers or on more than 70 affiliate broadcast stations. Many thousands of lives are being affected daily by this miraculous ministry.
Russ was a member of the board of directors of the National Religious Broadcasters and was chairman of its TV Committee for the year 1983-84.
If you would like a free copy of Russ Bixler’s book, FaithWorks on the founding & history of Cornerstone TeleVision, please click here.