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Welcome to the online home of the International Armor Bearers Young Peoples Union of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc.! This site is intended to help the youth of COOLJC and those that serve them stay on the pulse of youth ministry in our great organization and around the world. We hope the information on this site will empower you to take ownership of your rightful place in the body of Christ and give you the tools necessary to be effective in your ministry.
Feel free to contact any of your International ABYPU leaders with any questions, ideas or suggestions. We are committed to serving you!
The Armor Bearers Young Peoples Union of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. aims to serve this generation by promoting spiritual growth and heightening devotion; by providing instruction and training (biblical, doctrinal, and secular); by enhancing fellowship among the youth of the COOLJC; and by supporting the general organization in its various goals.
Our motto, remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1), emphasizes our ultimate goal of helping each generation grow in relationship with their Savior by using their natural talents and spiritual gifts to build the body of Christ and aid their surrounding community. Each young person is born with special abilities and a unique purpose. It is our goal to instill in them the principles of good stewardship, strong character, and able leadership that will be the foundation upon which they build their futures.
The Armor Bearers Young Peoples Union was founded in 1922 at the Refuge Temple Church of Harlem, NY the mother church and current headquarters of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. Our founder, Bishop Robert C. Lawson, saw the spiritual and natural potential of the youth and organized them into a union. Leon Seely was the first president.
The union began with only senior aged young people (18 through 35). But as membership increased it also diversified and the constituency of the union grew to include intermediate groups (teens) and junior groups (children) as well. In the beginning there were only a few Young Peoples Unions in the organization and no thought of a national union. However, as the number of members and local unions multiplied, it became necessary to organize all local unions into a national body. Soon, state and diocesan unions were also established throughout the organization. Mrs. A.T. Slade was instrumental in corresponding with local unions and helped to organize them nationally. She was given the title of Honorary National President.
The name Armor Bearers was suggested to Bishop Lawson by Mrs. Beatrice Brooks Utterbach. Since its establishment, the ABYPU has always been an organization of innovation and creativity. Our leadership, initiatives and programs have had a lasting effect on the youth of C.O.O.L.J.C. and the organization as a whole.
The A.B.Y.P.U. is proud of its heritage and notable impact since its inception. We boast in the ranks of past international presidents who have grown to the highest levels of leadership in the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, including the Board of Apostles, Board of Bishops, Board of Education and Deacons Union. Throughout the organization, current pastors, auxiliary presidents and leaders began their service to the organization as leaders of a local or diocese A.B.Y.P.U. Todays Armor Bearers Young Peoples Union continues to expand and nurture the talents and gifts of young people, turning potentials into actuality, and keeping the vision of our founder alive.
Born in the small town of Watkins Glen, New York, Abraham Belanger is the son of Sandra Ridley and Kenneth Belanger, and brother to three sisters and one younger brother. Abraham grew up in the foothills of upstate New York where he attended Watkins Glen Elementary School. At the age of 10, his mother and step-father moved to Columbia, South Carolina where he attended Irmo Middle School and Irmo High School.
At the age of 18, after moving across the street from Refuge Temple Church in Columbia, SC where Chief Apostle William L. Bonner is pastor, Abraham visited the church on a Sunday morning. After being touched by the Spirit of the Lord, he visited the church that same night for evening service and being pricked in the heart by the word of God, was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. That following Friday, after praying on the altar, he went home to his apartment with a made up mind to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. In his apartment, the Lord filled him with the Holy Ghost the same night, speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of the Lord gave the utterance.
Brother Abraham Belanger received the first scholarship to attend the W.L. Bonner College where he completed many foundational courses that prepared him for ministry. He then received his Ministerial License from the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. Serving under great leadership, Minister Abraham Belanger worked diligently at Refuge Temple Church in many capacities: Summer Youth Enrichment Program, Men’s Intercessory Prayer Band, Radio Broadcast Fundraising; and faithfully served in the community with HOPE for Kids, West Columbia Youth Leadership Institute, and the Boys and Girls Club of America.
In the year 2003, Minister Abraham Belanger moved to Summerville, SC to marry his beautiful wife, Sis. Tyjuana Belanger. He is the father of one daughter, Shalomar Dreher, the uncle of one niece, Makayla Johnson and one nephew, Zion Trappier. He now attends Refuge Bibleway Church in Summerville, SC where Bishop Herbert C. Heyward is the pastor. There he was ordained an Elder of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ and has served as the local ABYPU President since 2003. He also served for 3 years as the District II ABYPU Chaplain for the South Carolina Upstate Diocese.
Elder Abraham Belanger now serves the International ABYPU Department in the office of president and is looking forward to global progress over the next three years that for the International ABYPU! Elder Belanger loves to fish, enjoys spending time with his family, is passionate about serving the youth in any way possible, and faithfully serves in his profession as a Brand Service Consultant for Intercontinental Hotels Group. His favorite scripture is Psalm 150 and believes that there is nothing too hard for the Lord!
CLICK HERE if you would like to invite Elder Belanger to speak for your local or diocese ABYPU.
Vice President, Minister Marcus McCoy, Jr.
Minister Marcus Ruel McCoy, Jr. is the eldest son of Bishop M. Ruel McCoy, Sr. and First Lady Benona B. McCoy. He is a third generation faithful member and preacher in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Inc., continuing the legacy of his paternal grandfather the Peoples Bishop, the Late Bishop Ruel B. McCoy, who served as the Director of Home Missions, and his father and pastor who is the immediate past Chairman of the International Board of Presbyters.
From an early age Min. McCoy has had a heart for the things of God. Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost at the tender age of 8, he has been actively involved in COOLJC, serving the people of God with a special emphasis on youth ministry. Minister McCoys service spans across local, diocesan, regional and international venues.
Locally, Min. McCoy is a member of the Greater Refuge Memorial Church in Orlando, Florida. There he severs as Youth Pastor and President of the ABYPU. Under his leadership the youth department is growing and developing strong apostolic believers who are committed to the call of Christ.
Not only is Min. McCoy very active in his church, his leadership and administrative skills reach far outside the walls of the church. Min. McCoy is a proud graduate of the Great Bethune-Cookman University (BCU) located in Daytona Beach, FL, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and Philosophy. Currently Min. McCoy is a Masters candidate for the Masters of Science in Transformative Leadership also at BCU. In the community, Min. McCoy works with the Daytona Beach Chapter of The Links, Inc., Sisters Cities International and the Daytona Beach Chapter of the UNA-USA.
Recording Secretary, Sister Seneca Alston
Sister Seneca Renee Alston hails from the state of North Carolina where she attends the Greater Refuge Church. Pastored by Bishop Rufus Hargrove, it was there she was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost on May 7, 1995.
Currently, Sister Alston serves her local church as a licensed Social Missionary, Church Administrator, Announcer, and Recording Secretary of the Missionary Department. Formerly, she functioned as Financial Secretary and the youngest Womens Council President in the State of North Carolina for five years. She has also led the Childrens Church as Coordinator, in addition to President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer of the ABYPU.
Sister Alston also serves the COOLJC North Carolina Metropolitan Diocese as Corresponding Secretary of the Womens Council Department, in addition to Vice-President, Youth Advisor, and Awards Committee Chairperson for the ABYPU. Formerly, she functioned as the Womens Council Departments Coordinator of the Childrens Church, and the Recording Secretary of the ABYPU for six years.
In July 2010, Sister Alston was elected to a second term as Recording Secretary for the International ABYPU.
Sister Alston received her education of higher learning from Louisburg College and the W.L. Bonner Bible College, where she will return in the fall of 2010 to continue her pursuit of a degree in Womens Ministry. Professionally, she is a Research Analyst with one of North Carolinas most prominent financial institutions.
Sister Alston enjoys taking long walks, spending time with the elderly, and listening to classical music.
Corresponding Secretary, Sister Angella Middleton
Angella Nicole Middleton is the daughter of Patricia Middleton and Darryl L. Thompson, with one sibling, her dear twin brother Gregory L. Middleton. She is employed as the Case Management Systems Administrator and New Employee Trainer at Kline & Specter, P.C., a plaintiffs catastrophic injury law firm based in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was born and raised in Philadelphia but currently resides in Collingswood, New Jersey.
Angella is a faithful and active member of the Refuge Temple Ministries church in Camden, NJ (Pastor, Elder Keith Gloster) where she serves as vice president of the ABYPU and director of the Music Ministry. Her local church is one of many branches in the international organization of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. Angella serves on the staff of COOLJC's International Department of Music and Arts, and is the director of hospitality for the COOLJC International Congress, as well as the newly elected corresponding secretary for the International Armor Bearers Young Peoples' Union.
In her local community, Angella serves on the development board for the Alice Paul Institute, a non-profit organization based in Mt. Laurel, NJ that aims to train and build young female leaders. She also volunteers as an alumni coach for her former high school's Mock Trial Team. Angella holds a Bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and is currently enrolled in Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, NJ, with expected completion of a Juris Doctorate degree by 2015.
Treasurer, Sister Kameko Barker
Kameko Barker is a faithful and active member of True Deliverance Church (Pastor, Elder Milton C. Lashley, Jr.) where she serves as the local ABYPU President. Locally, Kameko also serves on the first Sunday Kitchen committee, The Minister's & Deacon's Wives' Guild, and also the church Praise Team.
Kameko is presently employed at Alliance Bernstein where she is a team leader to five employees on the Fixed Income Trade Support Team. Kameko works close with AB traders across all domestic and international bond desks on a daily basis (corporate, municipals, sovereign debt, US treasury/agencies, money market, emerging market, developed non-dollar markets).
With the knowledge and experience gained her secular career, Kameko chose to seek the office of treasuer for the International ABYPU, hoping to further current investments and banking within the auxiliary. She also would like to share this knowledge with the young people of Church of Lord Jesus Christ, Inc.
Chaplain, Sister Susan Parrott
Sister Susan Parrott was born to the late Elder Dennis M. Parrott and Yvonne M. Parrott on July 9, 1983. She spent the majority of her youth serving in various capacities within her local assembly. She currently attends Greater Refuge Temple, located in Lakeland, FL, where Apostle Gentle L. Groover is the pastor.
Being involved in the ABYPU and music ministry has always been her passion. In her local assembly, she is currently serving as ABYPU chaplain, and has previously served as the ABYPU president at the church of her youth, Lighthouse Temple, in Newark, NJ. She actively operates as a soloist, praise leader, and choir member throughout the local, diocese, and state levels.
Sergeant at Arms, Minister Mark Parrott, Jr.
Minister Mark Parrott is a member of the Lighthouse Temple Church in Newark, NJ and serves as the local ABYPU President. He also serves as National Adjutant for the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark received a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and MBA from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut. Minister Parrott is honored to the have the opportunity to assist with the leadership of the International ABYPU. He has a devout passion for working with young people, and is dedicated to the development of both their spiritual and natural lives on a local, state and national level.
Minister Parrott makes an effort to stay in the Word and to live a life pleasing to God, to the best of his imperfect ability. Minister Parrott believes God does not call those who are able, but takes those who are willing and makes them able.
We are excited to share the activities we have planned for you at the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ's International Congress in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 11-14, 2012! View the information below for details.
CLICK HERE FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS
CLICK HERE FOR CONVENTION REGISTRATION
CLICK HERE FOR LET'S MOVE SIGN UP
CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER YOUR FREE COPY OF THE 5TH EDITION INTL. ABYPU
HANDBOOK & GUIDE
The theme for this year's Congress is Building Effective Relationships. From this, the ABYPU youth leadership track will focus on unity in ministry relationships.
ONE LOVE, ONE MIND, ONE ACCORD: FROM MANY TO ONE
Philippians 2:2 "Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind"
Featuring Two Working Sessions:
1. The Leader and The Follower
Facilitator: Bishop William Wilkins, Jr., NY
Focus on learning how to build effective relationships between youth leaders and those they lead (i.e. between youth presidents and their staff, and their youth groups). Also, offering techniques on how to build effective relationships with those that the youth leader follows (i.e. with their pastors, diocese bishops, etc.), and how to unite the vision of the youth auxiliary with the vision of the leader.
2. Brand It!
Facilitator: Sister Jewel Taylor, NJ
Focus on how to effectively develop unity in a youth ministry's identity, offering techniques on how to effectuate unity among the entire youth auxiliary - its leaders and its members - promoting one goal, creating one mind and one voice.
There will also be instruction on how the new edition of the International ABYPU Handbook & Guide can assist our leaders in building strong and impactful youth ministries!
CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY!
Moving our youth towards
a healthier and more active lifestyle
The International ABYPU Let's Move initiative is another tool instituted and designed to fulfill our Godly mission and mandate to transform and develop healthy lifestyles amongst our young people, both spiritually and physically.
In addition to our spiritual preparation, God calls for his children to prepare ourselves physically as well. Apostle Paul was inspired by God to write in III John that he wished above all things, that the people of God would prosper and be in good health even as our souls prosper. God calls for us to glorify him both in our spirits and bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
Phase 1 of the Let's Move initiative will begin by orchestrating 20-30 minute walks after Morning Prayer at the 2012 International Congress, around the main facility grounds. Phase 1 will also include the implementation of exercises and physical education during the Kingdom Kids' Children's Convention programs during the 2011 International Convocation and 2012 International Congress.
The International ABYPU is also partnering with the United States national Let's Move campaign initiated by the office of the First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR ABYPU LET'S MOVE WALK/RUN AT THE 2012 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS!
CLICK HERE FOR
The ABYPU is soliciting ads from businesses for our conference registration booklet, at full page or half page. All full page ads will also be featured in a banner on our website home page at no additional cost!
All ads and monies for ads must be submitted by Friday, March 24th.
Email marketingliaison_abypu.com for more information.
ABYPU Program Book Advertisement
Add To Cart
Show your unity and support for the
youth of COOLJC by sending your order today for an ABYPU branded tee-shirt.
All orders submitted by Friday, March 24th can be picked up at the International Congress in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 11-14, 2012.
Send your order today!
ABYPU Branded Tee
Checkout
Congratulations and welcome to the alliance of youth leaders appointed and elected to serve in the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc. On this page you will find documents and forms to help in the administrative processes of your local or diocese union. Be sure to check our website periodically as we will be adding many more resources in the coming months.
Please contact our international recording secretary, Sister Seneca Alston, for information on submitting local and diocese reports and forms.
International ABYPU Manual.pdf
ABYPU Logo.docx
IABYPU Brief Order of Procedures.pdf
PRAISE THE LORD!
Our executive staff was very honored to share inspiration with you in the first two editions of our newsletter. This edition features articles written by members of our appointed staff. We pray that all edify, encourage, and equip you as youth leaders in your local churches and regions.
Thank you for your continued support!
Newsletter 7.11 EMAIL.pdf
GREETINGS FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Imagine young people from across the world, from the Carolinas to California, from England to Africa, from the islands of Trinidad, and everywhere else our churches reside. Imagine them connected and growing in Christ by each others influence. Well the International ABYPU is focused and well on our way to making that happen.
Newsletter 4.11 FINAL.pdf
Can you believe it has been over 7 months since our staff was elected into such privileged and honored positions with the International ABYPU? And yet in such short time we have seen great accomplishments. Through the rest of this year, until we arrive in Baltimore, Maryland for the International COOLJC Holy Convocation, we plan strengthen our relationship with you. From our Diocesan and Local ABYPU leaders to the very youth we serve, we want to make sure you know who we are, what our vision is, and where we are going to take you with the help of the Lord!
Reconnecting and rebuilding relationships is never an easy task. However, we are proud to report that our delegates feel very connected and proud of how we are constantly reaching out to encourage our youth across the world. I personally have enjoyed conversations with our African ABYPU leaders as well as our ABYPU leaders in the United States. Even our faithful and hardworking pastors are excited to see how we are focused on helping their local and diocese ABYPU leaders grow in their roles to serve Christ and their congregations.
So where do we go from here? What is next? How do we take what we have set in place and drive results? Beginning at the International Congress in Jacksonville, Florida, we will have several interactive sessions to engage our youth leaders and prepare them to go back to their churches to make a difference in what they do. We are beginning to develop a strategic approach to the International Holy Convocation this year, starting out on the way we do business.
Business sessions will never be the same after this year. We want business to be fun, focused, and purposeful. So make sure you do not miss out on the changes we are bringing during our business session in Baltimore!
We also have appointed more people to our support team and are reaching out to the final few to confirm their roles in helping the International ABYPU deliver great service to our delegates. You will be seeing in much more detail who your new support team is and what their new roles entail.
The International ABYPU Handbook and Guide is being refreshed to present you with relative and intentional guidelines that should help you engage your youth in spiritual, educational, and business initiatives.
So enjoy our second newsletter, read through every piece of it, and let us know what you think. We are proud to serve you and look forward to our continued partnership together over the years ahead! Thank you for your support and God bless you always!
Contact Elder Belanger at intlpresident_abypu.com.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The executive staff of COOLJCs International ABYPU wishes all youth and youth leaders of our great organization a happy and prosperous 2011. We have been working diligently since our installation in July 2010 to help achieve the year one goal set forth by our President, Elder Abraham Belanger (SC); to reconnect and rebuild relationships between local and diocese youth leaders with the International ABYPU. This quarterly newsletter is one way we hope to achieve this goal, building meaningful and consistent communication from international officers that will bridge the gap with our constituents and provide them with tools, information, and ideas to improve the structure and function of their local and diocese unions.
Please feel free to contact any international officer at the email addresses provided in this newsletter. We welcome any feedback and suggestions on how to better serve you.
Newsletter EMAIL 1.11.pdf
It's that time of the year! Local and Diocese reports are due to be submitted the to International ABYPU starting at the beginning of the International Planning Session on Monday, May 16, 2011. Reports can be submitted at any time from May 16th until the day of the ABYPU business session at the International Convocation - Friday, July 15, 2011. Reports can still be submitted after July 15th, but they will be ineligible for banners or awards.
For more information on reporting, please contact our International Recording Secretary, Sister Seneca Alston - intlrecordingsecretary_abypu.com .
Thank you for your support!
IABYPU Local Blank 2011.doc
Report Blank Instructions - Local Report 2011.pdf
IABYPU Diocese Report Roster.doc
Report Blank Instructions - Diocese Report 2011.pdf
IABYPU Diocese Blank 2011.doc
The International ABYPU Executive Staff extends a warm thank you to all local and diocese youth leaders who attended our Awake & Arise leadership track at the 2011 COOLJC International Congress in Jacksonville, Florida, Apriil 27-30! We hope and pray you were as blessed by the sessions and worship services as we were to delighted to serve you. Your presence and support made all our hard work worthwhile!
In case you missed any of the working sessions, below are the presentations used by the facilitators, as well as video links for two of the three sessions. Feel free to view, download, print and share as needed!
Youth Minisry 101.pdf
Bloom Where Youre Planted.pdf
Staying Faithful Against the Odds.pdf
Let us join with you in prayer for the healing, strength, and help you need for your family, your loved ones and your life. Complete this form to submit your prayer requests to our chaplain, Susan Parrott, who will seek the Lord on your behalf.
Please also use this form to submit a report of praise and thanksgiving for the blessing or miracle God has performed in your life! Selected testimonies will be chosen to highlight on our website and quarterly newsletter.
Subscribe to our mailing list today and be the first to know about new events, programs, and other news!
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
CLICK HERE
if you would like to invite Elder Belanger to speak for your local or diocese ABYPU
Elder Abraham Belanger, president
intlpresident_abypu.com
Minister Marcus McCoy, vice president
intlvicepresident_abypu.com
Sister Kameko Barker, treasurer
intltreasurer_abypu.com
Sister Seneca Alston, recording secretary
intlrecordingsecretary_abypu.com
Sister Angella Middleton, corresponding secretary
intlcorrespondingsecretary_abypu.com
Sister Susan Parrott, chaplain
intlchaplain_abypu.com
Minister Mark Parrott, sergeant at arms
intlsgtatarms_abypu.com
For questions or issues relating to reporting, contact Sis. Seneca Austin - send email
For questions relating to the International Congress or Convocation, contact Sis. Angella Middleton - send email
The youth of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the communities they serve are in great need of the tools and resources we seek to provide. You can help ensure that we are able to meet those needs by making a donation today.
Heres what your gift will do:
Help service modern, interactive activities and sessions for children, teens and young adults at our annual conferences.
Help fund communications and outreach year-round that will provide more in-depth ministry tools and guidance for our youth and youth leaders.
Join us today in making an impact with the youth of the
Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ!
YOU MAY ALSO SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO
International ABYPU * P.O. Box 120511 * Saint Albans, NY 11412
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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