Supt. Michael Cross was born December 28, 1959 to Naomi and the late Superintendent Vernon Cross. Michael Cross was raised up in the church and was saved at the age of 17. In 1985, Pastor Michael Cross accepted his calling to preach the gospel and preached his first sermon at New Hope Church of God in Christ (COGIC). He remained steadfast in the ministry while working and attending Cameron University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1982. Pastor Cross was ordained under the late Bishop J. A. Young of the Oklahoma Northwest Jurisdiction and was appointed the Assistant Pastor of the New Hope COGIC in 1991. After serving as the assistant pastor for 15 years under the leadership of the late Supt. Vernon Cross, Pastor Michael Cross was appointed the Superintendent of the Lawton District January 13, 2002. Supt. Michael Cross was appointed as the pastor of the New Hope church by Bishop Lee V. Broom On March 26, 2006. Superintendent Michael Cross is married to Sis Vernita Cross, 6 children, 2 at home, Kanisha and kendall and resides in Lawton, Ok.