OUR LEGACY
Former pastors
Drs. Lee & Sonjanette Crossley
Former Pastor and Elect Lady
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The late Dr. Lee A. Crossley and Dr. Sonjanette Crossley first met in Temple, Texas, and later married on December 18, 1976. They have had the privilege to give birth to three children which include Aadrien (LaTasha), Lionell, and Alisa Crossley and one grandson, Maki. Dr. Lee Crossley was the former pastor of First Church of God in Christ, Temple, Texas where both of them were able to serve for 24 years before his passing on July 7, 2014. Both have served in the community on all levels. Dr. Lee Crossley earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from the Minnesota Graduate School of Theology. He completed two years of training in Clinical Pastoral Education at Scott and White Hospital, Temple, Texas. He was a member of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (a national organization). Additionally, he was an Instructor at the Institute for Teaching God’s Word Theological Seminary, Rockdale, Texas. Dr. Sonjanette Crossley also earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from the Minnesota Graduate School of Theology. She has also received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity and Doctorate of Philosophy in College of Cross-Cultural Philosophy from the Institute for Teaching God’s Word Theological Seminary, Rockdale, Texas.
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Dr. Lee Crossley served his community faithfully in many different ways and areas. He served as a volunteer Police Chaplain, Vice President for the Temple Unit NAACP, member of LULAC Council 4971, member of the Temple Area C-Ed Ministerial Association, member of a local interdenominational pastors prayer group, and he co-founded Citizen’s for Progress, Inc., Temple, Texas in 2000 (non-profit organization). Dr. Sonjanette Crossley has also served her community faithfully and still serves today in many different ways too. She has served as a Chaplain for the city of Temple, secretary and current member for the Temple Unit NAACP, current member of LULAC Council 4971, current member of the Temple Economical Development Council (TEDC), member for Children's Special Needs program, member for RZ, HOCTIL, City of Temple Building and Standards Commission, former Civil Service Commissioner, and member for the UMHB Social Work Advisory Council where she was honored by having a scholarship in her name for the UMHB Social Work Program. In addition, she currently is serving as the President for Citizen’s for Progress, Inc., Temple, Texas in 2000 (non-profit organization) and she is currently serving and overseeing the Lee Crossley Veteran Housing Community which was established to honor the Late Dr. Lee A. Crossley and provide our local Veterans with affordable living and assistance. Both have served this community with passion and life-long hunger to empower and encourage everyone they meet while helping people excel and better their lives and situations.
Founders
Rev. Alvin E. & Dr. Ima Lee Bailey
Co-Founders and Pastors
The late Rev. Alvin E. Bailey and Dr. Ima Lee Bailey first met in 1946 and later married in September, 1948. To this union were born six children: Sonjanette, Elaine, Joyce, Alvin Jr., James and Elleanor (Denise). Shortly after their marriage, Pastor Bailey was called into the ministry. When he was led to start his own church, they became the founders of the First Church of God in Christ in 1955, formerly located at 615 E. Avenue D, Temple, Texas.
Pastor Bailey is most known for his powerful message of faith, healing, and deliverance that crossed all races, cultures, ages, and social classes. Mother Bailey is a mother, teacher, mentor and counselor to many. Both of them have always been an effective prayer warrior and she instituted a Morning Prayer group at the church which developed into a community prayer group, which included participants from various denominations in the community. Some members who worked nearby even took their lunch breaks to join in the prayer. They have also been blessed to have received training and classes for ministry with Dr. Ima Lee Bailey receiving her Doctorate in Biblical Studies.
In 1990 after the home going of Pastor Bailey, she was appointed administrative assistant to Pastor Lee Crossley, a position she held until his demise in July 2014. She currently serves as the church mother and as an administrative assistant along with Dr. Sonjanette Crossley to help assist her grandson, Dr. Aadrien Lee Crossley, whom is the current pastor. She is also our beloved church mother and has a heart for the local church as well as the church worldwide. It is her concern for souls that motivates her to actively seek to save as many as she can, while she can – to the glory of God. God has blessed her with longevity of life and they both have established a legacy that will be recognized forever.
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