Pastorial Staff
Our Pastor
Bishop Walter J. Thompson, Sr.
Walter Junius Thompson was born to Leroy and Edna Lee Thompson in Charlottesville, Virginia, on June 17, 1924. The family moved to the District of Columbia when Walter was a boy. He was educated in the public schools, and received his spiritual training at Carron Baptist Church. During World War II (the 1940’s) he entered the United States Navy and after two years of service, he received an Honorable Discharge.
Walter worked for the Bureau of Printing and Engraving in the Treasury Department, retiring after thirty years of service. Walter was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost in 1950. Through the years, he has remained faithful to his charge and it has carried up and down the East Coast and throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. A host of people regularly call on him for prayer.
When Pastor Henry C. Brooks passed, Elder Thompson was chosen as one of the interim pastors for the Mother Church. He served in this capacity for three months. Bishop Alphonzo Brooks was later appointed as pastor and he selected Elder Thompson as the Assistant Pastor. Elder Thompson’s service and loyalty never wavered or diminished. As always, he remained diligent and faithful to the call God placed on his life.
Four and one-half years, Elder Thompson was the pastor of Galilee Way of The Cross Church in Altanta, Georgia. Galilee prospered as he faithfully taught the Word of God. In 1990 he was appointed a district elder, at-large, and in 1991 was given charge of District No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic Diocese. In 2003 he was consecrated a bishop.
Bishop Thompson can be truly characterized as “a man for all seasons” because of his
faithfulness. Bishop Thompson has been married to Missionary Miriam L. Thompson since
1957 and they are proud parents of three children and three grandchildren.
1 Timothy 5:17. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine".
Assistant Pastor
Elder Henry Chauncey Brooks Lancaster
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Elder Henry Chauncey Brooks Lancaster is the Assistant Pastor at The Way of The Cross Church of Christ (WOTCC). He has made unparalleled accomplishments within the Way of the Cross Church, locally, nationally and internationally. He has successfully bridge the gap between the WOTCC and several churches in Monrovia Liberia West Africa and its surrounding community. While working diligently to nurture the churches in West Africa, he still has time to oversee the daily responsibilities that comes with the title of Assistant Pastor of WOTCC Mother church.
Elder Lancaster is the oldest child of Evangelist Ruth B. Lancaster and the late Walter T. Lancaster, Sr. He has been a member of the WOTCC his entire life. For over twenty-seven years, he has been married to Dorothy M. Lancaster and is the proud father of four children and six grandchildren.
Elder Lancaster is very diverse in his skills, knowledge and talents. He served several years in the United States Armed Forces and retired from Washington Metropolitan Police Department after twenty-seven years of service. He has held numerous positions in the local and national WOTCC from local Youth for Christ President, Chairman of the deacon board, choir director, National Youth for Christ Advisor Board, Chairman WOTCC Convention Housing and Director of Foreign Ministry.
“I am honored to be a part of this great family and pleased to be named after the founder, Bishop Henry Chauncey Brooks. I congratulate the WOTCC for spreading God’s word for 84 years.”
Youth Pastor
Isaiah J. Long
The second oldest of six children, Isaiah J. Long was born to Bishop Bobby L. Long and Evangelist Sylvia Marie Carroll on November 30, 1981. Isaiah was brought up in the fear of the Lord. At a young age he was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Trained to work out his soul’s salvation, Isaiah sang on numerous youth choirs, participated in the Christian Education program and faithfully attended bible study.
Understanding the importance of education Isaiah received his primary and secondary education from the Prince George’s County public school system and graduated for Suitland High School where he was on the National Honors Society. He later went on to achieve higher education at Waynesburg College (Waynesburg, PA), Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD) and Howard University, obtaining his BA in Telecommunications and his Master’s of Divinity.
Since August 2007 Isaiah has been competing in ministry to win lost souls for Jesus Christ by spreading the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven. The competitive edge he possesses started years ago when Isaiah was just a child. Using sports as a means to express his competitive nature Isaiah has been fortunate to have had a successful athletic career. He began by playing little league sports when he was 11 and competed in and throughout college. Isaiah was known for posting quotes on his lockers. One of which read “Don’t get too high, don’t get too low”, a simple reminder that no matter what happens, good or bad, God is in control.
On September 6, 2008 Isaiah was married to Kamali A. Payton of Fort Washington, MD. The two met in college and have one son, Taylor Airon Long. Isaiah can often be found on Saturday mornings sitting at home with his wife and son watching movies and eating sunflower seeds.
Isaiah has been a proud member of The Way of the Cross Church of Christ, Inc. since birth and was grateful to accept his call to ministry under the leadership of his pastor Bishop Alphonzo D. Brooks. Isaiah has been able to develop his ministry as the leader over the children and teens of the WOTCC Youth for Christ. In May 2011 Isaiah was elevated to the position of Youth Pastor where his mission is to see the children and teens grow in their knowledge of God and his word and to see them live out their faith by serving others as Christ served the World.