The ABYPU began in the
Mother Church, Refuge Temple on 133rd Street
in New York in 1922. Bishop R. C.
Lawson, our founder, seeing the spiritual
and natural potential of the youth,
organized them into a union and set aside a
special time for them. Leon Seely was
the first president. At that time
there were only a few Young People's Unions
in the organization, and there was no
thought of nor any need for, a national
union. In later years, the number of
ABYPU members multiplied. It then
became necessary to organize all local
unions into a national body. In the
early day of the ABYPU, there were only the
senior groups; members above a certain age.
With the increase in numbers of young people
of varying ages, it was necessary to create
intermediate and junior groups as well.
Consistent with the structure of the
international body, stat/diocesan ABYPU
unions were formed one by one. The
name Armor Bearers was suggested to Bishop
Lawson by Mrs. Beatrice Brooks Utterbach.
Mrs A.T. slade was instrumental in
corresponding with local ABYPU unions and
helped to organize them into a national
union. She was given the title of
Honorary National President. Since its
inception, the ABYPU has always been an
organization of innovation and creativity.
Throughout our leadership, initiatives and
programs have had a lasting effect on the
youth of COOLJC and the international
organization as a whole. Some of the
innovations under past presidents have
included:
Institution of the Children's Convention
International ABYPU Leadership Retreat
International ABYPU Scholarship
Conception of International Singles'
Ministry
Area Plan of Administration
Institution of the Auxiliary of Apostolic
Teens
Successor Development Program
The ABYPU is proud
of its heritage and impact. From the ranks
of past international presidents have
emerged apostles, bishops, the Chairman of
the COOLJC Board of Education, and two
presidents of the International Deacons'
Union. Throughout our organization,
many of our pastor, bishops, missionary
presidents, women's council presidents and
other auxiliary leaders have served in the
ABYPU on the local, state/diocesan and
international levels. Since the present
structure of the ABYPU is an outgrowth of
what was organized by Bishop Lawson in 1922,
it cotinues to expand and nurture the youth
by turning potentioals into actuality,
keeping the vision of our founder alive.
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