Our Staff
Dr. David Cruz Martinez/ Senior Pastor
David Martinez is the Pastor of Christian Way Ministries and a Diocesan Bishop with the World Council of Independent Christian Churches for the state of Virginia since 2013. Pastor David is a Hospice Chaplain and served as a Chaplain Assistant with the United States Army Reserves for over sixteen years. He deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2004 where he received Christ and was baptized in the land Abraham our patriarch once roamed; the land of Ur. Pastor David is a graduate from Tidewater Community College with an Associate Degree in General Studies; from Liberty University with a Bachelor Degree in Biblical Counseling; from Liberty Theological Seminary with a Masters Degree in Divinity, from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Graduate Certificate in Patient Counseling/Clinical Pastoral Education; from John Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University with a Doctorate in Ministry in Theology and Apologetics, and just completed the remaining three units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Liberty University. His ministry includes 4 years as a Chaplain Assistant where he served on Active Duty at the Regimental Memorial Chapel; 6 years with the 80th Training Command as a Chaplain Candidate; 1 1/2 years as a Youth Pastor at Victory Life Fellowship; 7 years in doing hospice ministry, and serves as the Pastor of Christian Way Ministries since its inception, praise the Lord. He is married to his beautiful wife Britani of 17 years and is a dad to their two little boys Christian (16) and Elijah (13).
Lady Britani Martinez
Britani Martinez is such a bright spirit filled with the joy of the Lord and leads CWM’s marriage enrichment program, does so much behind the scenes that serves the needs of the ministry, and helps with the youth and women’s program. She is one of the main reasons outside of God for why this ministry is growing, because the congregation cannot get enough of her spirit, her warms hugs, and her smile. Britani is also a Business Analyst for the Department of Commissary for almost 20 years now. She graduated Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor in Human Resources and with a Master in Business Administration. Britani is highly dedicated to education, to achieving her goals, to her career, to her family, and to serving the Lord.
Minister Pieri and Mrs. Jackie Burton
Meet Minister Pieri Burton and his wife Jackie who are such a blessing to the church and have been attending CWM since day one. Minister Pieri is one of our founding members who is a man of many talents. He served as the Treasurer for Piney Grove Baptist Church, is a Real Estate agent, an entrepreneur for Kingdom Builders, ran twice for Virginia Beach City Council, and was elected by Governor Youngkin to serve on the Real Estate Board of Directors. His wife Jackie is also a woman of many talents and serves was the Director of Our Father’s Daycare, serves as the administrator for CWM, and aspires to be a public school teacher. They have a beautiful family, they love the Lord very much, and have been very supportive to serving the needs of the church that cannot be quantified.
Elder James Tucker
James Tucker is one of the Elders for Christian Way Ministries and is the Sunday Bible School teacher. His commitment and faithfulness to God reflects in his teaching of God's word. If you want to hear a good message before Sunday Service, we definitely invite you at 9:00AM on Sunday Mornings. His ministerial experience is quite impressive as he has served more than 30 years. When it comes to "fighting the good fight for the faith" James exemplifies it!
Elder Harold Tucker (Deceased)
Harold Tucker was one of our Elders for Christian Way Ministries who handled quite a few things for the ministry. He was a medically retired Vietnam Veteran who earned a Purple Heart for his service. His passion for God and for this ministry reflects in all the work he does to make CWM the best experience for anyone who visits. His spirit, his testimony, and his commitment to serve God regardless of anything he might be going through is an inspiration to us all! His motto, “Be more bold and more Christ-like” will forever be in our hearts! Elder Tucker departed to be with the Lord on February 15th, 2022.
Minister Eleanor Makinen
Minister Eleanor Makinen is a commissioned minister for Christian Way Ministries. Born and raised in New York, Eleanor is the oldest of six children and has been raised with a strong Christian background. She is married to Tom and has two adult children; a son, Darien and her daughter, Alexis. Eleanor has a Certificate of Completion from a two year diakonia program and has been leading a Women’s Bible Study group out of her home for over 7 years now. Eleanor is very excited to become part of CWM family, loves exegeting the Word of God on Tuesday nights, and has recently began posting her Bible Studies online.
Elder Grant Vanderpool
Elder Grant Vanderpool is one of the Elder’s for Christian Way Ministries and one of the Praise and Worship Leaders. When it comes to working behind the scenes, Grant is always at the forefront to serve God. Not only can he get his hands dirty in labor for the Lord, but he also makes a joyful noise, which is why he is one of the leaders for Praise and Worship. Grant's ministerial experience also stretches more than 30 years, which began during his deployment to Germany in 1982 with the United States Army when he got baptized and joined the Neckarsulm Gospel Choir.
Elder Darius Burton
Meet Elder Darius Burton and his Minister Jacquelyne Burton. Darius was a commissioned Deacon for our church, but recently elevated to the office of Elder on April 6th, 2022. Elder Darius is on fire for the Lord and is all about serving and going out into the community speaking the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Darius is married to his beautiful wife Jacquelyn who has also been ordained as a minister at CWM. She is a woman with many gifts and they share three amazing daughters. We thank God for adding to our increase by bringing Darius and his family to serve Him in this ministry!
Minister Harriet Vanderpool
Minister Harriet Vanderpool is the wife and co-leader with her husband Grant Vanderpool for praise and worship. Harriet has a voice that should be featured on the television show "The Voice." She has been singing since she was a little girl almost 30 years ago. Harriet has performed solos, directed choirs, and even made a few C.D's, and now she is displaying her God-given talents at Christian Way Ministries.
Sister Tiffany Tucker
Sister Tiffany Tucker is one of our Laywomen who is faithful and committed to serving the Lord. She handles coordinates and organizes all of the church events throughout the year. She is extremely dedicated to hard-work as she has been employed by the state of Virginia for 10 years at Norfolk City Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and now currently in the field of commercial driving. Tiffany has a beautiful daughter, Derrianna who is 16 years old going on "grown", and a baby boy Nasir who is growing by the second. Her love for God and family is one of the main reasons why CWM is so blessed to have her part of our Family!
Deacon Leo and Mrs. Nakedia Strong
Meet newly ordained Deacon Leo and his wife Nakedia Strong. They are such a great addition to the ministry as Deacon Leo serves the needs of the church and has also begun to lead the task of visiting the sick. His wife Nakedia has also been very active with leading the Resourceful Healing Ministry, a program dedicated to assisting anyone dealing with grief. The Lord knew the gaps of our ministry that needed to be filled and sent these two to help fill in those voids. They have a beautiful family, they have a successful business, but most importantly, their faith in God and their desire to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word is what truly makes them shine!
Deacon Dennis and Veronica Brown
Meet Deacon Dennis and his wife Veronica Brown who have been such a great addition to the staff. They are on fire for the Lord and serve God in a multitude of ways. Not only does Deacon Dennis serve the needs of the ministry by helping prepare the sanctuary, but him and his wife are also the liaisons between CWM and Pin Ministries homeless shelter where the church has the privilege to serve the less fortunate once a month. It was nothing but the mercy of God that brought Deacon Dennis to our ministry, which led to another close brother of ours being led to the Lord. They have a beautiful family and it is such a joy to witness them place God first in their marriage, in their family, and in their shared ministry.