Bishop Robert Lee Hawkins 1919 - 2004

Bishop Robert Lee Hawkins was born on November 3, 1919 in New York City to the late Virgie Butler and Reverend James Lee Hawkins. At an early age he moved to Northern Virginia. He attended the Mount Pleasant Elementary School and later returned to New York City to complete his education in the New York City Public School System.

Bishop Robert Lee Hawkins' love for his relatives brought him back to the Bailey's Crossroad area. Bishop Robert Lee Hawkins was preceded in death by his three siblings: Eston, Leroy and Mary Hayes. On June 25, 1940, Robert Lee Hawkins and Josephine Marshall were united in holy matrimony. God blessed this union with eleven children: four daughters and seven sons.

Bishop Robert Lee Hawkins was employed by the Washington Gas Light Company for nearly 30 years. As an employee of the Washington Gas Light Company, he received numerous letters of recognition and various other awards for his outstanding service.

Bishop Robert Lee Hawkins was baptized in the name of Jesus in 1952 at the Bible Way Church in Washington, DC. After accepting and dedicating his life totally to Christ, On February 23, 1953, he received the Holy Ghost. He fellowshipped with the Scripture Church in Bailey's Cross Roads, Virginia and was ordained "Elder" in 1955. He was appointed as the Assistant National Evangelistic Officer of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ(COOLJC) in 1967. He traveled to various parts of the country preaching and singing the gospel, telling men and women that they must be born again.

Following the leading of the Lord, Elder Hawkins began holding prayer service in his home on November 1980. From the meetings the church was organized with a charter membership of nine: the late Bishop Robert Hawkins, the late Mother Josephine Hawkins, Brother Conrad Hawkins, Sister Anesia Hawkins, the late Minister Wilbur Solomon, Sister Laticia Solomon, Elder James Morton, and Sister Celeste Morton. The Lord gave Elder Hawkins the name "Redeemed" for the church. The first service was held the 2nd Sunday in January 1981 at the Cameron Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia. In December 1981, the church moved to 1529 King Street where the membership continued to grow.

Mother Josephine Marshall Hawkins.

Mother Josephine Marshall Hawkins was richly enhanced and highly praised. Mother Josephine Hawkins helped her husband as he faced the pastorate of the church. Mother Hawkins often said, "Saints, let's keep on working for the Master, let's keep on working for the Lord, for he will surely bless us, he'll give us a just reward". For according to his holy word, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" ( I Cor 2:9).

Bishop Hawkins and the Redeemed Church Family .

The church express a strong determination to work continuously for the up building of the Kingdom. A new location was spotted by one of the faithful members, Mother Lydia Cannon. The Lord found favor in this congregation and on September 5, 1985 the Redeemed Church celebrated their dedicatorial service in their new edifice at 4 East Oak Street & Commonwealth Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia. This service was officiated by the State Bishop of Virginia, the late Bishop Floyd Hill of Petersburg, Virginia.

On Friday, December 5, 1986, Bishop William Lee Bonner traveled to the Redeemed Church for dedication services along with many of the national officers including Elder Fred Rubin, the late Mother Pandora Williams and others.

Bishop Hawkins on The Board of Bishops of COOLJC

"Pressing toward the mark of the prize of the high calling...", Elder Hawkins was ordained Honorary Bishop in August 1991 at the National Convocation of the Churches of Our Lord Jesus Christ hosted in Baltimore, MD. Bishop Hawkins continued steadfastly in the Apostolic doctrine. His favorite scripture was "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Mother Josephine Marshall Hawkins was truly a strong pillar for the Redeemed Church of Christ . Mother Hawkins fought the good fight and was called home to be with the Lord after a short illness on October 4, 1995.

When the ministry of The Redeemed Church of Christ reached an important milestone in its history of service to our Lord and Savior. The illustrious and esteemed Founder and Pastor reached the plateau in his life wherein he deemed it fitting to retire as Pastor of the Redeemed Church congregation. Through the years, while yet attending his flock, he traveled extensively adhering to his divine calling proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the land. He was blessed to have weathered many storms that God saw fit that he enjoyed moments of immense happiness. In a celebration, in April 2002, Bishop Robert Hawkins became Pastor Emeritus. Elder Darryl Thomas is left to carry on the work Bishop Hawkins started as pastor of the Redeemed Church of Christ.

Bishop Robert Hawkins' Family.

Click cover to enlarge image Bishop Hawkins' Memorial Cover

The Honorable Bishop Robert Lee Hawkins, beloved husband of the late Josephine Marshall Hawkins and Founder of the Redeemed Church of Christ , Alexandria, Virginia, passed from labor to reward on Mary 25, 2004. He was 84 years of age.

Remaining to rejoice in Bishop Robert Lee Hawkins' memory are his four daughters; Celeste Morton (James), Connie Moore, Alice Hawkins, and Mary J. Faison; six sons; James (Anita), Albert (Paula), Walter (Pamela), Stevie (Phyliss), Michael, Conrad(Anesia) and the wife of the late Carl Hawkins (Pamela); forty grandchildren and thirty-nine great grandchildren; four sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; four close friends; Elder Benjamin Smith, Bishop Joseph Weathers, Elder John Moore, and Bishop James Silvers. Over 100 nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

The Homegoing Celebration for Bishop Robert Lee Hawkins, was officiated by Bishop Thurmond Hargrove, Sr., Pastor of Refuge Temple Church, Alberta, VA. at the First Christian Church in Falls Church Virginia. Bishop Algenor Johnson, Pastor of Refuge Temple, Sandston, Va., delivered the Eulogistic Message

The following are excerpts of Bishop Algenor Johnson's remarks at the funeral of Bishop Hawkin's funeral at the First Christian Church:

I would rather see a sermon then to hear a sermon any day. Make a commitment and stick with it. What impelled a man to make such a sacrifice? Abraham - He looked for a city... it stands as a paradigm.....called a servant ....God Hears.....Prayers have not fallen to the ground. God is not going to put more on you than you can bear. Only what you do for Christ will last. Don't worry God will be with you.

In 2 Timothy 4:6-7 "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" Thought: "Mission Accomplished". A lot of people start on a mission, but don't finish. You don't get anything for starting, Bishop Hawkins held on in the mist of being an Evangelist. When he sang, he put all his heart into it, later called into the ministry to pastor...Bishop Hawkins always departed company with these words... "Until the next time! " You cannot be a good shepherd...You must know the truth and the truth will make you free. I cannot myself accomplish anything ...You must have a made up mind and know apart from God you are nothing!.

Striving to find a purpose -"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 16:25). Do it, Jesus' way. Don't do it, my way, Do it, the way that God wants you to do it. Know that you are working in the vineyard...And know that you are hired by God.......Have I done what God told me to do?.....Jesus said you got to be born again...I know that my redeemer lives!...I am working for Jesus ....My soul have no pleasure in those that draw back....A winner never quit...A failure never wins....You got to go to the end.....Mission Accomplished...."let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us," (Hebrews 12:1).

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Make a joyful noise ...Jesus is the best thing that ever happen to me...When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all that he has done for me... Free at last, thank God almighty, I am free at last... People are getting deceived, "I'll do it my way"...Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6.)..... Any other way --"you are a thief and a robber" (John10:1)... No thief or robber will see God!.. He saith unto them, "But whom say ye that I am?" (Matt 16:15).....Cross the finish line!...Got to do it, God's way......He was the state Bishop for 18 years...I know my redeemer lives...Don't have to call the ambulance no more,. Every day with Jesus will be sweeter than the day before!...Don't have to call the doctors....It is well with my soul....

Mission Accomplished...The church is not brick and mortar...The Lord is coming back just like He said he would....When He comes He will recognize those that are His.. ."For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:" (I Thess 4:16)....Mission Accomplished! Sign me up for the Christian Jubilee...write my name on the role.....He was there all the time....Well done my good and faithful servant .... Eyes have not seen, Ears have not heard...I will never leave you, I will never forsake you...If you want to cross the finish line and accomplish your mission, let us lay aside every sin that easily besets us and look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith...If you go to the grave and you're without the Holy Ghost...I want to be caught up to meet him ....He preached the Gospel:....Death Burial and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.. ...

Mission Accomplished....I have fought a good fight....I am ready to be offered....I ask you today to work while it is day....In order to finish your race and hear.....Well done my good and faithful servant.... The same Spirit the rose Jesus from the dead...If any man that does not have the spirit , he is none of his...It is good to hang around Jesus...I believe Bishop Hawkins would be excited to hear someone say I will accomplish my mission.....Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea saith the Spirit, that hey may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.(Rev 14:13)