Meet Our Pastor!
Reverend Dr. Vincent Stokes and First Lady Jennifer Stokes.
Meet our Ministers
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your path.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Reverend Irving Drake is a husband and a girldad. He’s a co-leader of the Men’s Fellowship, teacher of Men’s Bible Study, and New Members Class, and co-leader of the Youth Ministry. He is also a member of the Praise and Worship Team and New Life Spirit Choir. Where he ascribes to live by the scripture Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your path
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Reverend Jay Thomas accepted Christ at an early age. Minister Thomas joined the Holy Cross Baptist Church in 1974. He has served as an usher, and on the Men’s Chorus, Men’s Ministry, Trustee Ministry, Sheepfold Leader, Men’s Ministry Leader, co-leader of the Youth Ministry, and Chair of the Deacons Ministry.
Minister Thomas accepted his call to the Gospel Ministry in February 2021, under the leadership and tutelage of the Rev. Dr. Vincent E. Stokes, Sr. Minister Thomas currently serves as an Associate Minister to Pastor Stokes, and the Holy Cross Baptist Church.
“But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.”
Acts 26:16 (NKJV)
Pastor Demetrius Miller, God, our Heavenly Father’s servant-minded believer, committed and dedicated to the teaching, preaching, and witnessing to others by the power of the Holy Spirit, the unsearchable riches of the Gospel of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In preparation to encourage, strengthen, educate, and to bring to light “the theology of the times” (Eschatology), of this fallen world. Commissioned to prepare all believers and those who have yet to believe, to endure hardships and to become ready for the glorious jubilation of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1
Pastor Barbara McCoy is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The LORD saved her at an early age Pastor McCoy rededicated her life to the LORD in 2003, and there has been no stopping her since. Hallelujah! Pastor Barbara McCoy is the ministry leader for the Senior Ministry. She calls to check on seniors once a month, arranges events and outings for the seniors such as health fairs, revivals, and luncheons. Pastor McCoy also acts as administrative assistant to Pastor Stokes. She checks Pastor Stokes’ preaching schedule on his calendar; makes sure that when the Pastor accepts an invitation to an event that tickets, hotel accommodations, etc., are arranged. She keeps Pastor Stokes abreast of what is going on with the members of the congregation (death in the family, illness, special needs, etc.).
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1
Pastor Joseph H. Beatty, Jr. is the proud son of the founder of Holy Cross Baptist Church and his wife, Reverend Joseph and Clara Beatty. Presently, Pastor Beatty, Jr. serves as the Assistant Pastor of Holy Cross Baptist Church, is the husband of Deaconess Tracye Beatty, and they are the proud parents of three children. He is honored that God called him to preach the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ to the believer, backslider, and the unbeliever.
Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
Pastor Osborne Walker presently serves in the Feeding of the Hungry Ministry. He is a jovial person, who doesn’t mind praising the LORD. To GOD be the Glory for the great things He has done!
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Reverend Lisa Rose Askew is a native of Ruffin, South Carolina. She attended the public school system in South Carolina and moved to Philadelphia in 1995. She accepted Christ at a young age in Buckhead United Methodist Church, Ruffin, South Carolina. Reverend Askew attended Mansfield Business College of Charleston, South Carolina and received her Sunday School Teacher Training Certificate in 2004. She attended Mel Floyd School of Evangelism in 2011, New Life Bible Institute Missionary Training School in 2014, and enrolled at Palmer Seminary in Biblical Studies.
Reverend Askew joined Holy Cross Baptist Church in 2016 and became an Adult Sunday School and VBS Teacher. In 2019, she was licensed to preach the Gospel at Holy Cross Baptist Church, and was ordained as an Associate Minister in 2022, under the direction of Rev. Dr. Vincent E. Stokes, Sr.
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy GOD?
Micah 6:8
Reverend Michael K. Keene, Jr. is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and lives with his wife and children in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. He is a board-certified orthotist, and currently works in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is a member of the Philadelphia Police Chaplains in the 19th District and is currently the Chair of Holy Cross Baptist Church’s Social Justice Ministry. His favorite scripture is Micah 6:8.