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Children Matter.

Children matter to God and children matter to the Church! Ministry to children is not only valuable to the Church today but also strategic to its future.

Those who serve children in the church must have an accurate understanding of their calling, be prepared for ministry to the children and families they serve, and pursue effective ministry. That’s why International Children’s Ministries is here.

International Children’s Ministries is committed to developing leaders who have an eternal impact on the lives of the children they serve. We do so by providing quality and accessible training experiences, producing relevant resources for local church ministry, and cultivating a community for support and encouragement.

Thank you for visiting the children’s ministry website. Thank you for serving kids.

International Director

Rev. Joy Hensley

Joy Hensley grew up in the rural hills of Huddleston, Virginia. At the age of 14, she said, “Yes!” to God’s call to serve and minister to kids. Since then, she has actively served in churches, camps, and various ministry environments both locally and internationally. Joy most recently served as the Associate Pastor of Children at Spring Place Church of God of Prophecy in Cleveland, Tennessee. At Spring Place, she had the opportunity to remodel and build a children’s ministry area that is a safe and sacred place for kids to attend and become active participants. Joy has also learned the value of pastoral care and ministry to children, parents, volunteers, and church members outside her ministry context.

In July 2016, Joy completed a Master of Arts degree in Ministry Studies through Lee University. Before serving as the International Director of Children’s Ministries, she served as International Children’s Ministries English-Language Training Specialist where she helped to train and develop resources and provide relevant content to churches and ministries. She is most passionate about helping children and adults understand the value of sound theology in ministry to kids. Joy believes with her whole heart that children are indeed a blessing from God and that they are mighty arrows being released into the world (Psalm 127). She plans to follow God’s call to serve children consistently and passionately her entire life.

Joy lives in Cleveland, Tennessee, and enjoys traveling, reading, and being with the people she loves most.

Meet Our Staff

We are passionate about raising the value of kids in the kingdom of God, as well as developing leaders who serve kids with the understanding, creativity, and excellence.

Project Manager

Leslie Green

Leslie Green began ministering at her local church and summer youth camps before she was 12 years old. Since then, God has blessed her with opportunities to minister as a children’s ministry director and youth ministry coordinator as well as serving in various roles in camping ministry, conventions and ministry training in North America. She’s also travelled internationally on mission teams and as a trainer for children’s ministry conferences.

Leslie is thrilled to work alongside a few of the most passionate leaders in children’s ministry. She currently serves as children’s pastor at Keith Street Ministries in Cleveland, Tennessee. Her heart is full as she watches the children grow in their relationship with Christ and knowledge of His Word.

Spanish Language Training Specialist

Avi Avila

Abigahil Ávila accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at seven years of age, and her life was forever changed. When she was a teenager, God called her to serve the children of her local church for 9 years, during which she found her calling. Years later, she became the children’s ministries regional director of the central zone of Honduras where she launched a national training program and other projects such as: Kids Camp, Vacation Bible School, community outreach projects, etc.

Currently, Abigahil Ávila is the National Children’s Ministries Director in Honduras and the Spanish Training Specialist for International Children’s Ministries, she has a degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and one in Christian Education and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management. She works with Evangelism Explosion International Organization coordinating children’s ministry efforts in the areas of leadership development and discipleship.

“There is a desire in my heart to continue to do God’s will. He called me to minister to the smallest of His children, but they are His greatest treasures. I pray that we raise an army of willing, teachable, passionate, and equipped workers in the Church of God of Prophecy to serve God and minister to children and change their lives through Jesus Christ. Our vision is ‘Developing Leaders, Impacting Kids.’”

Child Discipleship and Faith Formation Specialist

Jonathan Olavarria

Global Advisory Committee

The training, resourcing, and networking initiatives of the Church of God of Prophecy International Children’s Ministries are vital in fulfilling the church’s vision of developing leaders. Since these programs are designed to prepare leaders for ministry and continuous learning, the ministry must receive input from knowledgeable leaders within the COGOP family. The success of our initiatives and programs depends largely on the involvement and activity of our practicing children’s ministers in the field. The Global Advisory Committee serves as this body, advising the international director and assisting with special projects and vision casting throughout the year.