ABOUT
WHO WE ARE
Our mission is to be a beacon of light, providing healing & hope to our community.
One Church of Charlotte is a Christ-centered, community-focused ministry rooted in faith, excellence, and service. Born from a God-given vision and a rich legacy of outreach and discipleship, we exist to develop people spiritually, strengthen families, and impact our city with love and purpose. Re-birthed in 2021, One Church of Charlotte continues to move forward - welcoming all, serving faithfully, and building lives that reflect God’s glory.
"Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm"
Daniel 6:3 (NKJV)
Our Programs at a Glance
A high-level overview of the programs and services through which One Church of Charlotte serves individuals, families, and the broader community.
HUB-1 Community Empowerment Initiative
Transforming lives through faith, education, and access to essential resources.
HUB-1 is a collaborative community empowerment initiative led by One Church of Charlotte in partnership with Impact One Community, LLC. Designed to address critical social and economic needs, HUB-1 connects individuals and families to resources that support stability, growth, and long-term self-sufficiency. Through faith-centered engagement, education, technology access, and community partnerships, HUB-1 provides both immediate support and pathways toward sustainable futures.
HUB-1 services include:
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Food assistance and benefits navigation
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Employment readiness and job placement support
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Resume writing and interview preparation
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Financial literacy and wealth-building education
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Business center access and technology resources
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Recovery support and community referrals
HUB-1 is supported through partnerships with Impact One Community, LLC, a community development organization focused on addressing food insecurity, educational inequities, health disparities, and financial literacy within East Charlotte.
Leadership
Meet the leadership of One Church of Charlotte.
Pastor Esdras T. Cruz. Sr.
Esdras T. Cruz, Sr., is a visionary leader, pastor, and servant of God whose life and ministry are marked by obedience, discipline, and unwavering faith. Called to serve, he has devoted decades to ministry leadership, pastoral care, and spiritual development, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to advancing the Kingdom of God. Through prayer, integrity, and strategic leadership, Pastor Cruz has faithfully answered God’s call to shepherd people with excellence, compassion, and purpose. Pastor Esdras T. Cruz was born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, and relocated to New York with his family at the age of five. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army. It was during his distinguished military career that he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, marking the beginning of his lifelong commitment to ministry. In 1985, while stationed in Giessen, Germany, Pastor Cruz met Linda Rogers. They were united in Holy Matrimony on September 18, 1986, and together they are the proud parents of four children: Montrell, Esdras Tito, Jr., Charity, and Madelynn Cruz. Pastor Cruz’s formal ministry began in 1989, when he was ordained as a Deacon by Pastor Leroy Jones of House of Prayer, Church of God in Christ, in El Paso, Texas, under the Arizona Jurisdiction led by Bishop Felton King. In 1992, Deacon Cruz was assigned to White Sands, New Mexico, where he served alongside Pastor Larry Green in establishing New Life Church of God in Christ. In 1998, Deacon Cruz completed two years of seminary training and was licensed as a minister by Pastor Tommy Williams at House of Prayer, Church of God in Christ, in Ansbach, Germany, under the oversight of Bishop Carliss L. Moody. During this period, he also pursued higher education through City Colleges of Chicago and the University of Maryland, with a focus on criminal justice. On December 30, 1999, Minister Cruz returned to El Paso, Texas to complete his final year of military service. Shortly thereafter, his family relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where they became members of Sherman Memorial Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop C. E. Anderson, Sr. On July 15, 2000, after twenty-two years of faithful service, Minister Cruz retired from the United States Army. In 2004, God called Elder Cruz into pastoral ministry and revealed to him the vision and name of New Heaven Ministry. On April 18, 2004, he was officially installed as Pastor under the auspices of the Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, led by Bishop C. E. Anderson, Sr. Throughout his ministry, Pastor Cruz has played a vital role in establishing three churches from the ground up. He currently serves as Pastor of One Church of Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina. Pastor Cruz is a dedicated servant of God, a visionary leader, and a faithful shepherd to God’s people. To God be the glory for the work He continues to do through this anointed vessel.
First Lady Linda R. Cruz
Dr. Linda R. Cruz is an author, educator, minister, and visionary leader who was born with a call to serve. Raised in ministry alongside her parents and eight siblings, she developed a strong foundation in faith and service at an early age. In July 1986, Dr. Cruz experienced a transformative and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, solidifying her lifelong commitment to the work of the Kingdom. Dr. Cruz is married to Pastor Esdras T. Cruz, Sr., and together they are the proud parents of four children: Montrell, Esdras Jr., Charity, and Madelynn. After attending seminary and faithfully laboring in ministry, she was licensed as a Missionary in 1988 and as an Evangelist in 1990. Her ministry has extended beyond the local church to include foreign missions, orphanages, and juvenile detention centers. She has also ministered internationally as a motivational and inspirational speaker. In addition to her ministry service, Dr. Cruz served alongside her husband in the United States Army and personally served three years as a paralegal in the U.S. Army. Following Pastor Cruz’s military retirement, the family relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where they served under the leadership of Bishop C. E. Anderson, Sr. In 2004, God called both Pastor and Dr. Cruz into pastoral ministry, and she continues to serve faithfully alongside her husband. Dr. Cruz’s commitment to education is extensive and impactful. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences from New Mexico State University. She later earned a second Master of Science in Counseling and completed doctoral coursework in Educational Leadership at Grand Canyon University. She is also a North Carolina–certified educator and taught at Providence High School in Charlotte for more than ten years. Dr. Cruz is the founder of Learning for Living G.E.M.S. Academy (Growth, Emotional, Mental, and Social), a nonprofit organization through which she developed and implemented a Life and Career Development program for adults ages 20 and over. She also established an Adult Basic Education Outreach Program in partnership with Central Piedmont Community College, offering GED classes at four churches on Charlotte's west side, resulting in numerous graduates earning their GEDs. Her additional initiatives include founding Happy Haven FunFonics Learning Center, a Christian-based summer camp and early reading program, as well as the Helping Children to Succeed tutorial and mentoring program in partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. While stationed in Germany, Dr. Cruz was commissioned by the United States Army to conduct research, write a grant, and establish a teen center in Ansbach, Germany, designed to provide safe, structured support for military youth. Dr. Cruz is also the founder of Eastside STREAM Academy, formerly Charlotte Choice Charter School, which served students in grades K–8. She has authored multiple curricula for women and children and remains committed to her guiding principle of “Developing People in Excellence.” Through education, ministry, and community partnerships, Dr. Linda R. Cruz remains steadfast in her mission to strengthen families, uplift communities, and advance the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Story
A journey shaped by faith, service, and a commitment to developing people in excellence.
One Church of Charlotte began in 2004 as New Heaven Ministry, Church of God in Christ, following a clear call to “launch out into the deep.” What started as a small gathering grew through faithful leadership, committed members, and a mission centered on developing people in the spirit of excellence.
Over the years, the church expanded its reach through worship, education, and community engagement, forming partnerships and programs designed to meet both spiritual and practical needs. Guided by prayer and stewardship, leadership made intentional decisions to support long-term impact and service beyond the church walls.
In 2021, following a season of reflection and renewal, the ministry was rebirthed as One Church of Charlotte—reflecting a renewed focus on unity, accessibility, and holistic community empowerment.
For a more detailed account of our journey, read our full historical portrait.
Get Connected
Whether you are seeking a place to worship, looking for community support, or interested in learning more about our mission, we welcome you to connect with One Church of Charlotte.
