Up With Christ, Down With Crime

About Us

We are a Christ-centered non-profit organization providing aid to the reduction of crime of all kinds within cities, counties, states, and beyond.

Currently, we are based in Reidsville, North Carolina. My name is Avie Ray Stokes, a native of Reidsville, who recently moved back home after 50 years. After serving in the United States Air Force for over 20 years; working as a civilian in the Dallas Police Department for over 5 years; and pastoring and serving in several churches in the Philippines, Korea, Mississippi, Texas, and Alabama for over 45 years, my wife, Sandra Loraine Stokes, and I relocated to Reidsville for retirement. Upon arrival, one of the first things we noticed was the amount of crime existing within my small hometown of Reidsville. We, being Christians, having a strong belief in the power of prayer, committed ourselves in prayer about crime in our City. The LORD answered our prayer through leading my wife to the thought of UP WITH CHRIST/DOWN WITH CRIME, with a scriptural base found in John 12:32 where Jesus, Himself, says: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto ME.” We believe, if JESUS CHRIST is lifted, i.e. our attention and adherence is to HIS WORD, power, and directions then HE will draw all men unto HIMSELF.

And, we believe if CHRIST is drawing, then HE is drawing men and women, boys and girls away from crime, any vice and other sin.

Our Advisory Board

Dr. Clarence Johnson, Pastor Emeritus, Elm Grove Baptist, Reidsville

Mr. Lyle Milligan, Osborne Church, Eden

Dr. Gregory Headen, Interim Pastor, Zion Baptist, Reidsville

Steering Committee

Dr. Michael Galloway, Pastor, Greater Brandon Chapel Bapt. Alton VA

Rev. Wes Pitts, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Reidsville, NC

Rev Gary Cobb, Retired Pastor Sunny Home Baptist Church, Eden, NC

Mrs. Mary Rich, Member, Reidsville Baptist Church, Reidsville, NC

Mr. Fred Darby, Member, Bold Springs Baptist Church, Ruffin, NC

Mr. Jerome Simpson, owner J Simpson’s Printing, Reidsville, NC

Our Goal

Our goal is an intensified effort toward galvanizing communities into a strong, fortified team whose aim and objective are to promote and foster an atmosphere of unity and pin-point focus toward reduction of crime. We want to inundate the community with yard signs, bumper stickers, the wearing of UWC/DWC t-shirts, and any other method of employing the community toward recognizing we can effect positive change within the City’s populace.