Jerusalem Way of the Cross Church of Christ, Inc.

 Bishop Cleive Ester Adams, Jr. was born in Winding Gulf, West Virginia on Wednesday, February 2, 1949 to the late Deacon Cleive E. Adams, Sr. and the late Missionary Bertha B. Adams, the second of five children. He was raised and schooled in Rocky Mount, Virginia and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He is the father of four children; Sonya Curry, Cleive Larun Adams, Sr., India Adams and Lyrissa Safford. He has 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Bishop Adams is the owner and operator, for over 30 years, of his own business, Rocky Mount Drywall Service.

 On Monday, August 23, 1976, Brother Adams was baptized in the name of Jesus by his late pastor, Bishop C.W. Hairston and tarried until he was filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. In his walk with the Lord at Jerusalem, he has served as a member of the Jubilee Choir, all Male Chorus and Pastor’s Choir, a Sunday School Teacher, a member and then Chairman of the Pastor’s Aide, served as an ordained Deacon, continues to serve on the cleaning committee, served as Superintendent of Sunday School for 25 years, a member of the Trustee Board and Executive Administrator of the Jerusalem Way of the Cross Church.

 He assisted and mentored for 33 years under the leadership of Bishop C.W. Hairston. Deacon Adams was known as Bishop’s right-hand man and was known by many for years on the local radio and cable television stations as “The Reader”. He proved himself dependable, faithful and trustworthy and dedicated to the work of the Lord, to his pastor and to the church, with a meek and humble spirit.

  On Sunday, February 24, 2008, Deacon Cleive Adams, Jr., gave his first public sermon. After passing his Elder’s ordination exam in February 2009, Minister Adams was ordained an Elder of the Way of the Cross Churches of Christ, International on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 in the 65^th Holy Convocation in Richmond, VA.

  On Saturday, January 9, 2010 Elder Adams was installed Pastor of the Jerusalem Way of the Cross Church. This commission set before him is not one to be taken lightly. It comes with much suffering, much love for the people and an intimid relationship with God. There was a charge given to the Jerusalem Way of the Cross Church in 2008 from our Virginia State Diocesan, Bishop Earley Dillard, who encouraged us to stay put, stand still, be still and watch God work! He stressed the need to pray, pray, pray, and after we finish praying, pray some more and to turn our plates down. 

 That charge was reiterated by every Bishop and Elder that came to boost and support the saints. Bishop Leroy Cannady, Bishop Ben Cannady, Bishop Major Hairston, District Elder Alfred Jones and others who came to encourage. District Elder Alfred Jones beseeched the church to spend quality time with the Lord and we would hear from God. Praying, fasting and spending quality time with God has been the focal points of Elder Adams messages. On Sunday October 4, 2009, he preached “Put Your Knee Pads On- It’s Praying Time!” He even wore his knee pads throughout his message to stress the very importance of continuous prayer and getting closer to God.

In August of 2017, Pastor Adams was consecrated as District Elder of the State of Virginia under the leadership of Virginia State Diocesan Bishop, Bishop Earley Dillard. On August 10, 2018 in the 74th Holy Convocation in Alexandria, Virginia, District Elder Adams was consecrated a Bishop in the Way of the Cross Church of Christ, Int'l by our Presiding Bishop, Bishop Alphonzo D. Brooks.

 Bishop Adams extends the invitation to everyone to come Worship, Praise and Fellowship with Jerusalem Way of the Cross Church. "Come Expecting a Blessing from the Lord!"