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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

Bishop Dr. Shaun McKinley

Shaun is an ordained bishop with the Church of God of Prophecy. He is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, having earned a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies with a concentration in Ministry and Missions (2021). He also holds a Master of Business Administration in Marketing (Bryan College, 2014) and a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations degree (Montana State University, 2000).

He serves as an adjunct instructor with Oral Roberts University, Trevecca Nazarene University, and Belhaven University, where he was recognized in 2019 with the university’s Faculty Excellence Award. Along with his wife, Stephanie, Shaun serves as a preschool minister at the Peerless Road Church, also in Cleveland. He is the secretary of the Prayer Commission for the Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches of North America, as well as immediate past president of the Historical Society of Church of God Movements. Shaun has served on the COGOP International Assembly Task Force for sixteen years.

Called to serve children at the age of 13, Shaun has been active in children’s ministry for 30 years serving in multiple roles, including children’s pastor of the Peerless Road Church (2005-2006), administrative assistant in International Children’s Ministries of the Church of God of Prophecy (2002-2003), and as age-level editor (preschool through elementary ages) for One Accord Sunday School curriculum (2009-2012)

Shaun is passionate about serving God by developing leaders. He has had many opportunities to serve in professional and ministry roles, where this passion has been expressed and developed. He has traveled much of the US and the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Africa, and Europe, ministering and presenting practical ministry training to children’s ministers, youth ministers, and church communicators.

Shaun and his wife Stephanie have three daughters, Reagan, Madison, and Kennedy.

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.

International Director

Dr. Shaun Mckinley

Shaun is an ordained bishop with the Church of God of Prophecy. He is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands, having earned a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies with a concentration in Ministry and Missions (2021). He also holds a Master of Business Administration in Marketing (Bryan College, 2014) and a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations degree (Montana State University, 2000).

He serves as an adjunct instructor with Oral Roberts University, Trevecca Nazarene University, and Belhaven University, where he was recognized in 2019 with the university’s Faculty Excellence Award. Along with his wife, Stephanie, Shaun serves as a preschool minister at the Peerless Road Church, also in Cleveland. He is the secretary of the Prayer Commission for the Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches of North America, as well as immediate past president of the Historical Society of Church of God Movements. Shaun has served on the COGOP International Assembly Task Force for sixteen years.

Called to serve children at the age of 13, Shaun has been active in children’s ministry for 30 years serving in multiple roles, including children’s pastor of the Peerless Road Church (2005-2006), administrative assistant in International Children’s Ministries of the Church of God of Prophecy (2002-2003), and as age-level editor (preschool through elementary ages) for One Accord Sunday School curriculum (2009-2012)

Shaun is passionate about serving God by developing leaders. He has had many opportunities to serve in professional and ministry roles, where this passion has been expressed and developed. He has traveled much of the US and the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Africa, and Europe, ministering and presenting practical ministry training to children’s ministers, youth ministers, and church communicators.

Shaun and his wife Stephanie have three daughters, Reagan, Madison, and Kennedy.

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.

English Language Training Specialist

Rev. Joy Hensley

At the age of fourteen, Joy Hensley said “Yes” to God’s call to serve and minister to kids. Since then, she has actively served in local churches, camps, and various ministry environments. Joy is now the Associate Pastor of Children at her local church, Spring Place Church of God of Prophecy. It is an exciting time at the church as they are in the process of rebuilding; she is amazed and so thankful for the lessons and practical experience she is receiving while there during this period.

In July of 2016, Joy completed her Master of Arts degree in Ministry Studies from Lee University. Her desire is to develop and build relationships with children, their families, and volunteers that point them not only towards a growing relationship with God, but also fulfilling God’s call for their own lives.

KidServe Coordinator

Michelle Brooks-Young

Praying and looking into a bright starry sky one night during Tennessee Youth Camp, Michelle answered the call of ministry at the age of thirteen.

This ministry journey has continued for more than thirty years combined, serving in women’s, children and youth ministry. Additionally, Michelle coordinated a conference on excellence in leadership, writes a daily devotion for Dream Big social media page, and developed a hospitality class. Michelle has worked youth camps for fourteen years in lots of areas,  but her passion is igniting missions  passion in children. 

Michelle retired after thirty years of service with the City of Lebanon. This career was a tremendous blessing as it afforded her lots of freedom to travel and pursue ministry opportunities. However, the best benefit of this position was meeting her husband Donnie.

Michelle is most excited to present Missions and Outreach opportunities and working towards a goal that can only come from divine intervention! Watching congregations, as well as states work together for the commonality of a goal is both possible and encouraging! She has trained, ministered, and served in the United States and the Caribbean, Central and South America, as well as Africa and Europe, preaching and teaching gospel truths. 

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.’”

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.