The Rev. Walter H. Cross Jr. is presently serving in retirement at Macedonia UMC. Having served Lonsdale United Methodist Church and Martin Chapel United Methodist Church, Knoxville, Tennessee. Haven United Methodist Church in Powell Tennessee, Trinity UMC in the Abingdon District, Bristol Virginia, and Trentville UMC in the Knoxville District and his first UMC Wonderful Washington Hills in Chattanooga TN. Walter began his spiritual journey in his early childhood years in The Saint Philips Lutheran Church and Mount Paran Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. From his boyhood into his adult life he has served in the capacity of many ministries. Pastor Cross was ordained a Deacon of the Baptist Church in 1972. Pastor Cross was also at The New United Missionary Baptist Church, as Director of Youth and the Church Administrator. He answered the call to preach in 1992. He went on to serve at Emmanuel Baptist Church as youth director, and later became a founding member and part of the staff of New Covenant United Methodist Church in Chattanooga TN. He was licensed in New United Church in Chattanooga. . His ministry includes preaching, teaching, counseling and outreach. Pastor Cross retired as an Associate Member of the Holston Annual Conference.

Pastor Cross attended Howard High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He matriculated at Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN. with a major in History. He has a foundation in Church Administration, which led to an executive ministry role, officiating marriages, personal counseling, funerals and teaching Bible studies. He has achieved credentials with the United Methodist Connectional Church in congregational leadership and ministry completing a nine month program with The Holston Leadership Academy. He is also a trained mentor for candidates pursuing ministry in the United Methodist Church. In addition he completed certification as a Intentional Interim Pastor ,training with the The United Methodist Church. Pastor Cross attended Emory University, Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia, completing Course of Study. Pastor Cross completed a certified unit of Introductory CPE with the Chattanooga Association for Clinical Pastoral Care. This was a 1 year program of extended CPE with concentrated work in Family Systems Theory which provided background for his successful ministry serving individuals in crisis and trauma situations. He has Served as chaplains of both the City of Chattanooga Police Department and Fire Department. He has also served in a pastoral staff role with the Young Life Ministries, which ministers to urban youth who are considered to be at risk of not reaching their fullest potential. While in Chattanooga, Pastor Cross served as a Staff Chaplain and Grief Counselor at Hardwick and Sons Funeral Home.

Pastor Cross is a man of wisdom and great faith and character who believes in building relationships first with one another and with God. His life reflects his commitment to preaching the gospel while serving the people that God has Blessed him to lead.

He is the husband of The Reverend Dr. Angela Hardy Cross, currently serving as the Traveling District Superintendent of the Smoky Mountain District in Holston Conference, and the son of the late Deacon Walter and Mother Minnie Cross, father of Walter Elijah Cross and wife Eboni Cross and Granddad of Walter Elijah Cross Il ,sister of the late Henrietta Cross.

Rev. Cross is an avid music fan belonging to the Knoxville Chapter of the American Guild of Organist, a collector of musical instruments and all things digital and loves dancing with his wife.