About Us

In April 1998, with the blessing of their Pastor (Bishop Alphonzo D. Brooks) the first official gathering of Agape 1 Ministries took place in the home of Minister Howwin and Missionary Yvonne Carter in the form of a Bible Study. The Bible Study consisted of a few people, some who at the time were displaced spiritually, unchurched and in search of biblical truth. The Bible Study grew tremendously and so did the Carter’s heart toward the people to consider ministry beyond Bible Study. God led Minister and Missionary Carter to Pastor and holistically address the needs of the people whom they were now affiliated. This caused them to secure a place of study and worship service, to ensure consistent teaching, preaching, and learning of God’s word, thus Agape 1 Church of Christ Incorporated was established in August of 1999.

The manifestation of Agape 1Church of Christ, Incorporated was the answer to a call by God on the life of Elder Howwin Carter, Jr. and Evangelist Yvonne Carter. This call was to a Ministry of “Deliverance, Reconciliation” and “Restoration.”

The Carter’s sorted the Lord for a location for the church, and God led Pastor Carter to Southeast, Washington, D.C. in historical Anacostia where he met the Reverend Willie F. Wilson who was gracious enough to lease to them the historical building formerly known as Union Temple Baptist Church. It was there where Bisp. A.D. Brooks installed Eld. Carter as Pastor.  After (6) six years of ministry God laid it upon Pastor Wilson’s heart to sell the building to the Agape 1 Church. 

Now with its permanent home known as the Agape 1 Church of Christ, located at 2000/2002 Fourteenth Street, Southeast Washington, D.C. The Ministries that comprise of Agape 1 addresses the biblical truths, the needs of people as well as reaches out to the surrounding communities in hopes of bringing restoration to lost souls.

On August 7, 2015, after the installation of Bishop A.D. Brooks as Presiding Bishop of The Way of the Cross Church of Christ, Int’l., the Agape 1 Church of Christ was officially announced as being the first church inducted into the ministry under the Administration and leadership of this Man of God (Bishop A.D. Brooks).

After 15 years as an independent ministry and with much prayer and consideration God placed it upon the heart of the Carter’s to return to their roots. During their tenure as an independent ministry the Agape 1 Church family always felt a part of the Way of the Cross because of the love showed by Bishop Brooks and the church family over the years.

Looking forward with great anticipation to what God has in-stored for the newly appointed and anointed ministry of the Agape 1 Way of the Cross Church of Christ, Int’l. and its Pastors Elder Howwin and Lady Yvonne Carter. We are forever grateful for Bishop Alphonzo D. Brooks for his leadership, consistent present and all that he has literally poured of himself into our Pastor as a spiritual father over these many years to the Glory of God. We believe that this is God’s Set Time for Bishop Brooks and The Way of the Cross Church of Christ, Int’l. 

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 

Hab. 2:3

The Mission of the Agape 1 Way of the Cross Church of Christ, Int'l. (A1WOTCC) is to make Disciples. Our Lord Jesus Christ in His Great Commission to the Church spoke these words “All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Mathews 28:18b-20 (ASV) Therefore, A1COC Mission and Vision is to make Disciples through the process of teaching people to:

LOVE GOD

LOVE OTHERS

SERVE THE WORLD

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:13

WE BELIEVE that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and to that end all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

THREE DIMENSIONS OF ONE GOD (1 John 5:7; Mathews 28:19; 1 Tim 3:16)

We believe in one God who is eternal in His existence, Triune in His manifestation, being both Father, Son and Holy Ghost (John 1:1) AND that He is Sovereign and Absolute in His authority. 

We believe in the Father who is God Himself, Creator of the universe. {Gen 1:1; John 1:1-3}

We believe that Jesus is the Son of God. (Col 2:9) He suffered, died, was buried, and rose from the dead for our total salvation (Luke 3:21-22; Philippians 2:5-11). We believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 3:36; John 3:31-32; John 14:6).

We believe in the Holy Spirit who is God indwelling, empowering and regenerating the believer. This Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. The Spirit of Truth (John14:17, 14:26)

We believe that the blood of Jesus Christ atones for our sins and iniquity. It is through His shed blood that we are saved, healed and set free from bondage and the forces of darkness (Romans 5:9-11; Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 12:11).

We believe that every believer must have a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, for apart from Him we can do nothing. Each person has a ministry from God that no one else can fill. We are to instruct, teach, exhort, and admonish believers in the ways of God (John 15:1-5; Hebrews 13:5-6).

We believe that the Bible is the true infallible Word of God, which cleanses our souls. It holds the words of eternal life and the keys of the Kingdom of God. The Bible shows us God's principles and standards for living; and it is the food that sustains us in all circumstances (John 1:14; 2 Timothy 3: 16-17; 1 John 2:5-6).

We believe that we are to wash and renew our minds daily by the Word of God. We must learn His ways and exchange our way of thinking for His. We are to be conformed to the Kingdom of God by the molding and shaping of His Hands (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:23-29; Philippians 4:8).

We believe in justification by faith. We believe that salvation is free and apart from any work of man is a result of the sovereign grace of God. (Eph 2:8-9, Gal 5:5, Rom 5:1)

We believe in worshiping the Lord in spirit, song, dance and with the raising of our hands. We believe that we are to praise and worship Him with our whole being (Psalms 150:1-6; John 4:24).

We believe that in Godly living and the pursuit of a holy life should be the goal of every believer. (Heb 12:14, Phil 3:14)

We believe that believers should be water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ by immersion for the circumcision of our hearts. It is through baptism that we publicly identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:11-14; Acts 2:38).

We believe that all Christians need to partake of the communion elements which represent the Lord Jesus' body and blood. It is by participating in the Lord's Supper that we proclaim His death until His return (John 6:53-58; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30).

We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. We believe that Christians must be filled daily by using our prayer language, but the evidence of the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence is a changed life (Acts 2:4; Ephesians 5:18-21).

We believe in the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He ministers to His people through tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy; words of knowledge and wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith, working of miracles, and healing (Mark 16:15-18; Acts 5:16; 2 Corinthians 12:1-11).

We believe that it is God's will to heal and deliver His people today as He did in the days of the first Apostles. It is by the stripes of Jesus that we are healed, delivered and made whole. We have authority over sickness, disease, demons, curses, and every circumstance in life (Luke 10:19; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24).

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature . . . And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:15-18)

The Agape 1 Church of Christ, Inc. holds these truths and many others to be precious and dear. Our purpose is to be a place of ministry and healing for those in need. Christians have always had diversity in their theology and will continue to do so until the great return of the Master teacher himself (Our Lord Jesus Christ). In the meantime, we will occupy until He comes. We want to provide healing and encouragement to the body of Christ at large. What we believe may divide us, but in whom we believe should unite us.