OUR PASTORS AND GENERAL OVERSEER

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  Elder Howwin Carter, Jr. and Lady Yvonne Carter

Elder Howwin Carter, Jr. and Lady Yvonne Carter have devoted their lives to preaching the Gospel, serving the Church, and ministering to those in need. Their many years of faithful service have included outreach in prisons, hospitals, convalescent homes, rehabilitation centers, homeless communities, and on the streets. Together, they have remained committed to reaching souls with the saving message of Jesus Christ and strengthening the Body of Christ through compassionate and dedicated leadership.

Elder Howwin Carter, Jr. is the Senior Pastor of Agape 1 Worship Center International. A native of Washington, D.C., he was educated in the District of Columbia Public Schools and pursued theological studies at the Wilbur H. Walters School of Religion and Seminary and The Apostolate Christian College, both located in Washington, D.C.

In 1986, Elder Carter received the gift of the Holy Ghost while attending Gospel Ark Temple Bible Way Church under the leadership of the late Bishop John Lamb. In 1987, he began fellowshipping with the Way of the Cross Church of Christ International under the leadership of Bishop Alfonzo D. Brooks, where he served for 13 years.

Throughout his ministry, Elder Carter has faithfully participated in numerous outreach efforts, including prison, hospital, convalescent home, homeless, and street ministries. He also served for many years as Visitation Minister for the Way of the Cross Church of Christ alongside the late Bishop Walter J. Thompson, Sr. He later served for five years with Tower of Power Praise Temple under the leadership of the late Elder Johnny L. Desper.

Although Elder Carter sensed the call of God upon his life from an early age, he publicly acknowledged his call to preach in 1991. His initial sermon, titled “Faith: Either You Have It or You Don’t,” was based on Hebrews 11:1.

In August 1999, Bishop Alfonzo D. Brooks officially installed Elder Carter as Pastor of Agape 1 Church of Christ. Under his leadership, the ministry has continued to grow and serve the Washington metropolitan community. After 16 years as an independent ministry, Elder Carter prayerfully led the church back into fellowship with the Way of the Cross Church of Christ International on August 7, 2015.

On July 29, 2019, Elder Carter was elevated to the office of District Elder and charged with serving District 3 of the Way of the Cross Church of Christ International in the Washington metropolitan area. He served in that leadership capacity for seven years, providing guidance, encouragement, and support to pastors and congregations throughout the district.

In January 2025, Agape 1 Church of Christ and Holy Trinity Worship Center International united to form Agape 1 Worship Center International. This historic merger brought together two longstanding ministries under one vision, honoring their rich spiritual heritage while advancing their shared mission for the future.

Lady Yvonne Carter serves as Assistant Pastor of Agape 1 Worship Center International. A native of Washington, D.C., she was educated in the District of Columbia Public Schools and continued her education at the Wilbur H. Walters School of Religion and Howard University Weekend Bible College in Washington, D.C.

Called and anointed by God to preach His Word at the age of 22, Lady Carter has spent decades serving the Lord with faithfulness, passion, and spiritual integrity. Under the leadership of Bishop Alfonzo D. Brooks, she was installed as a Social Missionary of the Way of the Cross Church of Christ, where she served faithfully for 10 years.

When Agape 1 Church of Christ was established in 1999, Lady Carter was ordained as an evangelist and became instrumental in the development and oversight of the church’s ministries. Through her gifts as a preacher, teacher, worshiper, and ministry leader, she has worked diligently to encourage believers, strengthen the congregation, and lead others into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

Lady Carter is known for her sincere love for God, her vibrant praise, and her commitment to living the life she preaches. Her ministry reflects her belief that those who have been redeemed should never be ashamed to testify of the goodness and saving power of the Lord.

For more than 27 years, Elder Howwin and Lady Yvonne Carter have faithfully served the Agape 1 congregation. Their shared ministry has been marked by sacrifice, evangelism, outreach, pastoral care, and an unwavering desire to see souls saved and lives transformed. Still on fire for God, they remain committed to preaching, teaching, serving, and proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ: “The Kingdom of God is at hand.”

One of Lady Carter’s favorite scriptures is Psalm 107:2:

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.”

Bishop Royce L. Woods and Lady Catherine C. Woods

Bishop Royce L. Woods and Lady Catherine C. Woods have devoted more than 43 years to ministry, community service, counseling, and outreach. Together, they have faithfully carried the Gospel beyond the walls of the church, ministering in communities, prisons, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers while offering hope, healing, and practical assistance to those in need.

Bishop Royce L. Woods is Pastor Emeritus of Holy Trinity Worship Center International and General Overseer of Agape 1 Worship Center International. An entrepreneur and widely respected leader throughout the Washington metropolitan area, Bishop Woods has consistently dedicated his life to strengthening the Church, developing leaders, and serving the community.

For 30 years, Bishop Woods served as Senior Pastor of Holy Trinity Worship Center International. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, he developed community-based training and outreach initiatives designed to address spiritual, social, and economic needs. Among these was Special Education Towards Earnest Development (SEED), a nonprofit economic-development corporation.

During the early years of his ministry, Bishop Woods founded Antioch Spiritual Center and later gave birth to The Chosen Generation, an initiative that created hands-on opportunities for concerned business leaders and government officials to make meaningful differences within their communities. Under the leadership of Bishop and Lady Woods, Holy Trinity Worship Center International ultimately united with Agape 1 Way of the Cross Church of Christ to form Agape 1 Worship Center International, bringing together two rich ministry legacies as one church family.

Bishop Woods pursued studies at Howard University School of Divinity, New Providence Bible Institute, North Carolina College of Theology, the University of the District of Columbia, Prince George’s Community College, Yorktowne Business Institute, and the Maryland Insurance Administration. His educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Theology, a Master of Divinity in Christian Clinical Counseling, a Doctor of Philosophy in Theology, and certification in mediation concepts.

His professional affiliations include serving as a Professional Clinical Member of the National Christian Counselors Association, a Certified Pastoral Member of the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counseling, and a Certified Professional Member of the Christian Counselor Networking Association.

Lady Catherine C. Woods, affectionately known as “Lady C,” is a native Washingtonian who has served faithfully alongside her husband and in ministry for most of her adult life. An anointed teacher, facilitator, counselor, and advocate for women, she has dedicated herself to helping others overcome hardship, confront hidden pain, and experience spiritual and emotional healing.

Lady Woods is the founder and executive director of Women’s Interdependence Network—WinOne—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to assisting women in need of a dependable life-support system. Through WinOne, she combines her gifts and professional training to provide encouragement, counseling, guidance, and practical support to women seeking to break the silence surrounding their pain and begin the journey toward healing and wholeness.

Lady Woods also enjoyed a distinguished career with the United States Senate, where she served under four United States senators: Harrison A. Williams Jr. of New Jersey, Nicholas F. Brady of New Jersey, and Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey, as well as serving as assistant to the chief of staff for the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs.

She was appointed Junior Chaplain under Dr. Lloyd J. Ogilvie, former Chaplain of the United States Senate, assisting with counseling and the development of Bible classes. She also founded the quarterly First Ladies Luncheons on Capitol Hill, bringing together pastors’ wives, church leaders, and members of Congress to discuss issues affecting the well-being of women and children.

Lady Woods holds a Bachelor of Theology and a Master of Divinity. She is also a Certified Pastoral Counselor, Certified Temperament Counselor, and Life Coach. Her affiliations include the International Council of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows, the National Council of Negro Women, and the National Christian Counselors Association.

Bishop Royce and Lady Catherine Woods have built a shared legacy of faith, leadership, compassion, and service. Whether preaching the Gospel, counseling families, developing community programs, empowering women, or mentoring ministry leaders, they have remained committed to helping others discover hope and purpose through Jesus Christ.

Bishop Woods draws strength from Romans 8:31:

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

When life causes Lady Woods to bend, she finds comfort in 2 Corinthians 1:3–4:

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”