Jerusalem Way of the Cross Church of Christ, Inc.

In the beginning........

  Our church history began in the summer of 1968.  An associate minister at Shiloh Way of the Cross Church under the leadership of Bishop H. C. Eggleston, Minister Charlie W. Hairston was moved upon by God to go out into the field. With his wife, Sister Dorothy Stone Hairston and 4 children, at that time, he immediately began to search for his destination. He came to a place in Rocky Mount, Virginia which was an abandoned hotel building that could barely be seen from the highway because of locust weeds. With the help of God, and his knowledge in the construction field, Minister Hairston cleaned the area and during the week of the 4^th of July, he began his mission.

 During the 1^st week of revival services, a “Great Change” took place in the community. Minister Hairston put the amplifier in the window – the “Sounds of Pentecost” roared throughout the neighborhood. The music (tambourines, drums, piano, and guitar) with the saints from Shiloh helped “Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord!”  People came just to see what strange thing was going on. Sister Hairston, playing the piano, sang many songs but one that caught attention of the passerby’s was “Oh Yes, I know My Jesus Cares!” The powerful word of God stirred the community and during that very first week, one soul was baptized in the precious name of JESUS!  Sister Mary A. Hancock was the missions’ first member. The revival continued for the 2^nd week and two more precious souls were saved – Sister Bertha B. Adams and Brother Cleive E. Adams, Sr., more than enough souls to assure Minister Hairston that this was his destination!

 The following month August, 1968 in the National Convention held in Martinsville, VA, Minister Hairston was ordained an Elder in the Way of the Cross Churches of Christ, Int'l. The mission consisting of three members, Elder and Sister Hairston and now five children, only a few in number, was being wonderfully blessed.  The members attended each service faithfully as if they were a large crowd, for they knew the Lord was in their midst.

 In the early part of 1969, the mission moved to a small building located on Byrd Lane in Rocky Mount, VA. On Sunday, April 19, 1970, the Church Charter Service was held. The speakers were Bishop J. H. Brooks, General Overseer and Pastor of the Way of the Cross Church Headquarters, Washington, D.C. and Bishop H. C. Eggleston, Pastor of the Shiloh Way of the Cross Church, Martinsville, VA. Now, “The Jerusalem Way of the Cross Church ” as it was named, was steadily growing in the name of Jesus. Elder Hairston, a very zealous and ambitious man saw to it that the church lacked for nothing. He worked so the church could function.  A new heating system, restrooms, choir stand and baptism pool were some of the main features added to this building to make it as comfortable and convenient as possible.

 With only a hand full of members (and only a few of them working members) Elder Hairston purchased, not a little van, not a school bus, but a 38-Passenger Greyhound Bus for all the saints to ride together. With Elder Hairston in the driver’s seat, we loaded the front of that bus and rode just as though we were a full load. We had no doubt, because we had a leader who had the faith that one day that bus would be full. This was just one of the many sacrifices and acts of love that our pastor gave for his church. Mother Hairston, not only did she sing and play the piano and organ, teach the choir songs, but with seven children now, no matter how early the saints would visit her home, she would have time for everyone. Everything was always neat, clean and in order and that is the way she liked to see the church. She set a beautiful pattern for all the saints.

 As the church grew, the Lord moved on the heart and mind of our pastor who stretched out on faith and with God’s guidance and the unity of the saints, began construction on a new sanctuary. With only about $300 in treasure and his faith at work, Elder Hairston began calling in the materials. With his knowledge in the construction field, the footing was dug, the blocks were laid and the blueprint was in his head. A man with a “Vision”, as he was now known!

 Approximately 7 years from the start of the church, in February of 1975, the Lord blessed the church to move into a new sanctuary. It was a miracle in itself, because the sanctuary was built onto the building which was the original starting place. The old building was remodeled and the location which was once known as the “Old Hotel’ was now known as “APOSTOLIC CORNER”, named by our pastor. On Sunday, October 17, 1976, the Dedicatorial Service was held. Three years later, in August 1979 in our National Convention held at the Jerusalem Way of the Cross Church, Elder Hairston was ordained a Bishop of the Way of the Cross Churches of Christ, Int'l.

Through the great dedicated leadership of our pastor, in just 7 short years from our dedicatorial service, on Sunday, November 13, 1983 at 3:00 pm, the Jerusalem Way of the Cross Church Mortgage Burning Service was held! Seemed like greater things happened about every 7 years and 7 being the perfect number, it was only fitting for Bishop and Mother Hairston to have been blessed with 7 children: Donna Melissa, Charles Winfred, Christopher Keith, Roger Daniel, Tammy Michelle, Constance Delong and Jeffrey Scott.

 In January 2003, after 45 years of marriage and 35 years at Jerusalem, Mother Dorothy was taken to her New Home in Glory. The passing of Mother Dorothy left a gaping hole in our hearts and in the heart of our Pastor. Ever how difficult, Bishop had to keep on going. He still had to fulfill his obligations to his family, his church, his community, his state, his organization – he had to persevere.  

 In September, 2003 the Lord blessed the union of Bishop and Mother Helen Hash and the load was lightened. Mother Helen’s presence was sweet, calming and filled with so much love. After four and a half years of marriage and companionship with Mother Helen and almost 40 years on the battlefield as Pastor and Founder of the Jerusalem Way of the Cross Church of Christ,Int'l, on Thursday, January 10, 2008, the Lord called Bishop Hairston to his New Home. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: “II Timothy 4:7

 It was a blessing to be under the leadership of such a Blessed Man of God! Bishop C.W. Hairston loved his church. He praised us, encouraged us, chastened us, regimented us, reproved us and yes he spoiled us, but ever in a spirit of Love. Bishop was a Fearless Leader who cared for our souls, woe to anyone who tried to discourage, disrupt or mess with one of his saints, he was truly our watchman.