Cornerstone Television Network, Inc. 
The information in this column was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 8/25/2021. To update the information in this column, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
Summary
Cornerstone TeleVision Network, Inc. ("CTVN") broadcasts 24 hours a day, airing more than 80 different programs weekly. Their award-winning viewer supported network includes two full-powered and three low-powered television stations as well as affiliated stations across the United States.
Twelve original programs are produced by the network, including the flagship program, Real Life.
Cornerstone also has a sub-channel, Pittsburgh Faith & Family Channel, on which it broadcasts worship services of over 50 different churches in the greater Pittsburgh area. This partnership spans across churches of many denominations in hopes of bringing unity among believers and helping the local church grow.
In addition to its broadcast outreach, Cornerstone launched "Cornerstone Cares," a global ministry partnership program whereby Cornerstone links arms and resources with ministries throughout the U.S. and around the world. This includes food for starving children and families, clothing and shelter for orphans, and much more. Also, Prayer Partners are available around the clock to provide one-on-one ministry for those in need. More than 2 million viewers have called the Cornerstone prayer line requesting someone to pray with them.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Cornerstone Television Network, Inc.
1 Signal Hill Drive
Wall, PA 15148-1499
Website: www.ctvn.org
Phone: (412) 824-3930
Email: info@ctvn.org
Organization details
EIN: 237112560
CEO/President: Steve Johnson
Chairman: Rev Gary Mitrik
Board size: 7
Founder: Rev. Russell Bixler
Year founded: 1971
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1993
Purpose
CTVN Program Mission: Creating and presenting video programs that:
- Inspire and inform
- Engage, equip and entertain
- Honor integrity and witness truth
- Express a Biblical worldview
- Demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit
- Reflect technical and creative excellence
Mission statement
CTVN uses the following to communicate its mission:
To share the Good News of Jesus with as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, as effectively as possible - in the power of the Holy Spirit and to the glory of God.
Statement of faith
God calls each organization to emphasize different aspects of His character and His kingdom. In view of that, we have listed below Cornerstone Television Network distinctives - that is, those things that God has called us to emphasize.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit: Though the Holy Spirit is present in the life of every Christian, we believe that scripture clearly demonstrates a second work of God available to all believers, known as Holy Spirit Baptism. A common evidence of this work is the receiving of a personal prayer language, also known as "speaking in tongues."
Evangelism: The heartbeat of God is to see all come to know Him as Lord and Savior. Therefore, we will seek to present the good news of His love in as many ways as possible. New believers will be encouraged to pray, read the Bible, and attend a local Bible-preaching church.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit: We believe in the present day functioning of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are found in the New Testament, including gifts of healing, wisdom, knowledge, prophecy, tongues and interpretation.
Creationism: We believe in a literal understanding of the process of creation, as communicated in God's Word. We also believe that true science and scientific discovery always point to an intelligent designer of the cosmos.
Holiness: God desires each Christian to live a holy life, free from recurring and entangling sin. We should also live a life that promotes justice in our society, as well as a life that obtains eternal fruit to the glory of God.
The Essentials
We believe the following foundational truths are clearly expressed in God's word and have been agreed upon by Christians since the earliest days of the church.
God is a Trinity: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. All are equally God, though distinct from each other in personhood.
Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man.
Man was created by God to be in constant close relationship with him. This relationship was broken initially through Adam's sin but also by each individual's entrance into sin, which is rebellion against God through the breaking of his laws. The Bible says that we all have sinned. This is the condition in which each of us finds ourselves prior to salvation.
Jesus Christ lived to teach us about God's love. He died to pay the penalty for our sin, which we ourselves could not pay. He was resurrected to life after three days. Therefore, through Jesus we may receive forgiveness of sins and be restored to relationship with God the Father.
A person receives salvation by God's grace through faith. We cannot earn our salvation in any way. We must merely receive God's gracious gift and trust completely in Christ's finished work on the cross.
The Holy Spirit is given to each Christian at the moment of salvation. He is active in leading and guiding each Christian, but he is also active in convicting non-Christians of their need to know Jesus as their Savior.
Water Baptism, though not essential for salvation, is a public declaration by the new believer of his faith in Jesus Christ.
Each Christian needs to have a place of fellowship with other believers, commonly referred to as a church. However, the church is not a building but rather the gathering together of these believers to worship God and to receive teaching, prayer, and mutual encouragement.
We, the church, are sent into the world by God to share the message of his love and his offer of salvation to the ends of the earth.
The Bible is God's holy and inerrant Word. It is the revelation of God's character, his work in history, and his plans for man. It is the primary source of the Christian's growth, guidance, and understanding.
There is a real tangible place known as heaven that is the destination of every follower of Christ. It is a place of eternal life, joy and peace in the presence of God forever.
There is a place of eternal punishment known as hell for those who reject God's offer of salvation. God is not willing for anyone to go there, so much so, that he gave his one and only Son to save all who choose to believe. God is merciful but also just.
Jesus Christ will, according to his promise, return to earth to gather the believers that remain on earth at that time. No one knows the day or the hour of His return.
The beliefs listed above are common to all Christians. They are the essentials. They are solidly biblical and agreed upon by theologians of all major denominations and faith traditions. However, in the body of Christ (the church) there is great diversity in non-essentials. We recognize this and gladly accept our brothers and sisters who may differ from us in areas of healing, baptism, and eschatology. As John Wesley once said, In essentials: Unity, in non-essentials: Liberty, in all things: Charity.
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Radio/ TV Stations
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 894 of 941 | 30 of 31 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 916 of 943 | 31 of 31 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 916 of 943 | 30 of 31 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 518 of 941 | 17 of 31 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 29% | 40% | 38% | 37% | 34% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 16% | 19% | 19% | 22% | 21% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 90% | 55% | 47% | 50% | 59% | 64% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 15% | 16% | 15% | 15% | 19% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 10% | 45% | 53% | 50% | 41% | 36% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 80% | 61% | 66% | 62% | 63% | 59% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 92% | 107% | 120% | 127% | 144% | 111% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 73% | 65% | 79% | 78% | 91% | 65% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 8% | -7% | -20% | -27% | -44% | -11% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 9% | -3% | -9% | -11% | -15% | -15% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 14% | 24% | 19% | 23% | 22% | 22% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.49 | 0.49 | 0.47 | 1.05 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.91 | 2.28 | 2.39 | 1.75 | 1.46 | 5.72 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.15 | 1.14 | 1.16 | 0.85 | 0.69 | 5.98 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 13.68 | 13.64 | 6.13 | 17.01 | 25.58 | 1.08 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.16 | 0.06 | 0.04 | 0.93 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 9.58 | 9.77 | 8.63 | 13.23 | 16.72 | 0.15 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 5% | 3% | 7% | 3% | 3% | 28% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 12% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 163% | 194% | 191% | 197% | 206% | 68% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $465,987 | $490,734 | $1,332,087 | $3,239,487 | $301,968 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $405,766 | $450,338 | $354,278 | $451,989 | $641,004 |
| Short-term investments | $3,819,753 | $3,569,333 | $4,896,883 | $5,004,298 | $12,518 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $4,691,506 | $4,510,405 | $6,583,248 | $8,695,774 | $955,490 |
| Long-term investments | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $4,528,042 | $4,711,714 | $3,698,390 | $4,010,999 | $4,508,424 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $59,771 | $1,215,298 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $6,028,042 | $6,271,485 | $4,913,688 | $4,010,999 | $4,508,424 |
| Total assets | $10,719,548 | $10,781,890 | $11,496,936 | $12,706,773 | $5,463,914 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $324,455 | $717,604 | $352,818 | $300,369 | $758,352 |
| Other current liabilities | $19,622 | $18,612 | $34,100 | $39,510 | $126,001 |
| Total current liabilities | $344,077 | $736,216 | $386,918 | $339,879 | $884,353 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $653,007 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $12,232 | $12,439 | $12,646 | $12,853 | $13,164 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $12,232 | $12,439 | $12,646 | $12,853 | $666,171 |
| Total liabilities | $356,309 | $748,655 | $399,564 | $352,732 | $1,550,524 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $10,261,802 | $9,835,024 | $11,042,799 | $12,295,066 | $3,855,230 |
| With donor restrictions | $101,437 | $198,211 | $54,573 | $58,975 | $58,160 |
| Net assets | $10,363,239 | $10,033,235 | $11,097,372 | $12,354,041 | $3,913,390 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $2,763,466 | $2,039,989 | $2,221,600 | $2,432,926 | $3,268,310 |
| Program service revenue | $1,833,311 | $1,715,080 | $1,430,744 | $1,680,833 | $1,848,296 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other revenue | $415,487 | $623,392 | $786,778 | $38,672 | $23,010 |
| Total other revenue | $2,248,798 | $2,338,472 | $2,217,522 | $1,719,505 | $1,871,306 |
| Total revenue | $5,012,264 | $4,378,461 | $4,439,122 | $4,152,431 | $5,139,616 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $3,251,850 | $3,437,618 | $3,462,801 | $3,777,975 | $3,365,568 |
| Management and general | $1,287,358 | $984,100 | $1,312,218 | $1,307,501 | $1,249,956 |
| Fundraising | $801,419 | $823,438 | $846,297 | $911,385 | $1,099,382 |
| Total expenses | $5,340,627 | $5,245,156 | $5,621,316 | $5,996,861 | $5,714,906 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($328,363) | ($866,695) | ($1,182,194) | ($1,844,430) | ($575,290) |
| Other changes in net assets | $658,367 | ($197,442) | ($74,475) | $10,285,081 | ($626,573) |
| Total change in net assets | $330,004 | ($1,064,137) | ($1,256,669) | $8,440,651 | ($1,201,863) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Steve Johnson | CEO | $95,744 |
| Paul Bixler | Director | $72,836 |
| Rev Gary Mitrik | Chairman | $26,900 |
| Donald Black | President/Ceo (to 1/6/19) | $16,009 |
| Mr Craig Sherwood | Director | $4,875 |
| Mr Richard Scholton | Treasurer | $900 |
| Ms Michelle Agatston | Vice Chariman | $900 |
| Mr Leon Haynes III | Director | $750 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2019
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 8/25/2021. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
History
Cornerstone Television began over 40 years ago - in a vision God gave Norma Bixler during a chance visit to the Christian Broadcasting Network. Sitting there in the lobby of that still-fledgling network, she heard a clear call that God wanted her and her husband, Russ, to build a Christian television station back home in Pittsburgh. It took many months and some marvelous revelations before Russ came to share that conviction - and even then, the couple found that they had their work cut out for them. Their prospective station faced nearly every imaginable hurdle - financial, legal, personal, logistical... and one by one, over the next ten years, God helped them over, under, around, and through each obstacle - with miracle after affirming miracle - to realize the vision He'd given them.
Again and again, God echoed in the Bixler's hearts the words of Isaiah 49:22: "Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and raise My Signal to the peoples." That signal was first broadcast on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1979 - and in the many decades since, God has used Cornerstone Television in powerful ways to bring His Word to people all over America and beyond- one heart at a time.
Throughout the years, Cornerstone Network has maintained its God-breathed legacy. The vision did not end with Russ and Norma Bixler. Through the visions of our leadership team and staff, Cornerstone has maintained a stellar reputation for quality Christian programming. From "Origins" and "Light Music" to "His Place" and "Real Life," Cornerstone has been blessed with a creative team of dedicated professionals, as well as the faithful generosity of thousands of fellow believers. Cornerstone Television may have begun with a single vision, but it has been sustained through the generous support of countless caring Christians who volunteered their time, their talents, their prayers, and even their life savings to make the vision of Christian television a reality. When you give to Cornerstone, you are helping support a legacy of faith unlike any other: a 24/7 Gospel message broadcasted to over 6 million homes every single day. Our history has the fingerprints of God-and we know that by faith, the best is yet to come!
Program accomplishments
CTVN's accomplishments and programs include some of the following:
- Cornerstone Television contributes over $500,000 annually to various ministries worldwide. Special emphasis is given to rescuing and caring for children worldwide.
- Over the last 30 years, more than 26,000 viewers have called to say they came to Christ as a direct result of our daily programs.
- More than 2 million viewers have called the Cornerstone Prayer Line requesting someone to pray with them.
- Current original programming includes Real Life, Sister 2 Sister, and the Living Room Concert Series, among others.
- Multiple awards for excellence in Media Broadcasting.
Needs
Cornerstone TeleVision Network, Inc. expresses the most specific need is:
Prayer Partners. For more information one can contact Cornerstone TeleVision or go to their website www.ctvn.org.