Sis. Vernita Jones -Cross was born May 17, 1965, in Chicago, Illinois to Sylvester and Pearl Sutton. As a child Vernita was introduced to the church and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 8. She was baptized at Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church.. Vernita graduated from Charles Allen Prosser Vocational High School, June 1983. Vernita left Chicago at the age of 19 Vernita found herself traveling more than desired, from El Paso to Mainz, Germany. It was in Germany at a revival she had a spiritual awakening. Vernita had grown frustrated with the things she had experienced in the church and was ready to give up on God. She found herself praying one night and telling God because of what she had seen and experienced that if “Saints act like what she had seen, she did not want to be saved” it was then God touched her life, the power of God fell on her at a revival the very next day. Vernita knew that it was meant for her to be saved and live a life of holiness. Vernita began immediately seeking God for the Holy Ghost; she was filled and acknowledged her call to teach the gospel. She was licensed a minister of the gospel at Greater New Zion Baptist Church, Heidelberg Germany. Vernita is a 12 year breast cancer survivor who believes if God can’t do than no one else can. Even though her doctor told her that the prognosis was not good and that the cancer in her breast was a tiger, she yet believed God and responded with “but I serve the lion of Judah”. When faced with trials and tribulations, Vernita ask herself this question “Is there anything too hard for God?” God has proven to her that there is only one response to that question “there is nothing too hard for him.” Vernita met the love of her life at New Hope Church of God in Christ. They were married on June 1, 2001. They have six children; Vernon, Mathias, Kenneisha, Jeremiah, Jeremyra and Kendall. Vernita holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management and Ethics from Mid America Christian University and will be leaving her current position this year to pursue a master of arts (M.A.) and a Master of Business Administration, (M.B.A) with a major in Human Resource Management. Vernita’s primary focus will be taking care of her husband, Pastor Michael Cross, her children and encouraging others to fight on, despite the situation. Vernita knows she can never repay God for his manifold blessing but will devote the rest of her life serving him.