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R. Russell Bixler
Founder of Cornerstone TeleVision
1927-2000
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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. His college education was interrupted by a
year's service in the U.S. Navy. He lettered in basketball and track in college.
He continued his education at, 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 and ten grandchildren.
Russ became pastor of the Pittsburgh Church of the Brethren following seminary 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 has been published in Pulpit Preaching, Christian Life, The Leader, Messenger, and Brethren Life and
Thought. Russell has written and edited for nine publishers on an occasional basis. His first book, It Can
Happen to Anybody! (Whitaker) published in 1970, has sold more than 160,000 copies in English and German. He is
also co-author with Michael Gaydos of Eyes to Behold Him (Creation House) and with Ray Charles Jarman of
Sunrise at Evening (Whitaker). He edited the volume of teaching lectures, The Spirit Is a 'Movin'
(Creation House). Bixler has written a teaching manual entitled When Nothing Happens (1981) and a popular book,
Learning to Know God as Provider (Whitaker, 1982). In 1986, Bixler published a more technical book on the
biblical doctrine of Creation entitled Earth, Fire and Sea, recently revised and enlarged. Russ wrote FaithWorks, the 20-year story of Cornerstone TeleVision published by Destiny Image 1999. His book, Unbreakable
Promises (Baldwin Manor, 1987) is a survey of the biblical covenants. He wrote a commentary on the book of Genesis
for the Life in the Spirit Study Bible published by Thomas Nelson.
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.
Cornerstone Television, Inc. broadcasts twenty-four hours-a-day across
North America by two satellites. In addition, four low-power TV
stations, W51AO of Jefferson County, W12CA of Perry County, W18BC of
Middleburg, and W50BF of Sharon/Hermitage, Pennsylvania, are also part of
the Cornerstone TV family. There are viewers in all fifty states and
many surrounding nations who are watching through satellite receivers or
on more than 150 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. WPCB-TV was the 1998 & 1989 recipient of the NRB's award for
Broadcast Facility of the Year for television.
