Matt Pitt
Larry Matthew Pitt (born c. 1984) is a youth evangelist and founder of The Basement.
Pitt, a 2001 gradate of Hewitt-Trussville High School, founded The Basement in 2004 in the basement of his parents' home in Huffman. The ministry grew over the years, meeting at Cathedral of the Cross in Center Point, Church of the Highlands in Irondale, and currently is held monthly at Boutwell Auditorium.
On May 12 2012, Pitt was arrested in Calera for impersonating a Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputy by flashing blue lights on I-65 in the vehicle he was driving, causing motorists to pull over as he passed. When stopped by a Calera police officer, Pitt reportedly flashed a badge and stated that he was a deputy. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation.
References
- Hickerson, Patrick (September 13, 2009) "The Basement: Fast-growing youth service moves to fastest-growing megachurch." The Birmingham News
- Garrison, Greg (May 16, 2012) "Youth Evangelist Matt Pitt says arrest by Calera police was misunderstanding." The Birmingham News
- Garrison, Greg (May 18, 2012) "Calera police chief says youth evangelist Matt Pitt flashed blue lights, claimed to be deputy." The Birmingham News
- Gray, Jeremy (May 25, 2012) "Youth evangelist Matt Pitt to face preliminary hearing in police impersonation case." The Birmingham News
- Garrison, Greg (May 29, 2012) "Evangelist Matt Pitt leads The Basement monthly service at Boutwell." The Birmingham News
- Garrison, Greg (June 2, 2012) "Birmingham evangelist Matt Pitt plans busy summer despite unresolved criminal charge." The Birmingham News