New Award Recognizes Global Children’s Ministry
The Church of God Children’s Leaders Association, under the auspices of the Church of God International Department of Youth and Discipleship, has instituted a new award in honor of the late Waneda Brownlow, the “Happy Missionary.”
The award was announced recently at the annual FOCUS Children’s Ministry Leadership Conference, held in Knoxville, Tennessee. The award is called the Waneda Brownlow Global Children’s Ministry Legacy Award. It has been created to show honor to Waneda and will be identified in individuals who, like her, are characterized as 1) loving children around the world and making ministry to them a priority, 2) training children’s leaders to be effective in discipleship of the next generation and 3) global/international influence.
The first recipient of this award was Dr. Cheryl Johns, an instructor at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary.
“Dr. Johns had great influence on Waneda and together they had a relationship which was unique and helpful to the carrying out of the ‘Happy Missionary’s’ goals and calling,” stated Children’s Ministry Coordinator Tony Lane. “Dr. Johns has taught many students about spiritual formation in children and has been responsible for imparting truth in students who have carried the torch of kid’s ministry around the world. Though she was unable to receive the award personally, she prepared a video which was shown, through which she expressed with gratitude the honor she has been shown with being the first recipient of this award.”
Waneda Brownlow spent her life ministering to children.
At the same conference, the Shepherd’s Cup Award was presented, an award recognizing individuals who have made children’s ministry a priority in their lives and ministry long-term. Waneda Brownlow was presented the award posthumously and her son, Philip, was present to receive the award on his mother’s behalf. Also receiving the Shepherd’s Cup Award this year were Margaret Gaines, who served many years as the director of the school in Aboud, Israel. Dell Clark, a member of Praise Cathedral Church of God in Greer, S.C., also received the Shepherds Cup Award, having served for 50 years with Royal Rangers, mentoring many boys. Retta Ewell (Wilmington, N.C.), Kevin Adkins (Huntsville, Ala.), and Steve Burkowske (Ocala, Fla.), were also recipients of this year’s Shepherd’s Cup Award, nominated by their pastors for this recognition.
In addition to these award presentations, the new Children’s Leaders Association Leadership Team was elected for the 2015-2016 term. They include Steve Burkowske, Chairman; Chris Quinn, Jason Bonilla, Retta Ewell, and Dan Jenkins.
Lane states that ‘Children’s ministry is alive and well in the Church of God. We continue to make great strides in preparing the next generation for the calling and destiny for which they have been created. Our upcoming Kidfest events will once again reinforce our Pentecostal distinctive that we must strive to encourage our kids to be filled with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for power to witness and the strength to stand in the time of challenge!’
For more information about the Kidfest events, go to www.mykidfest.com. Registration is now underway.
