IPHC Church Education Ministries

The CEM National Awards for Excellence are given to honor the teachers, youth and children’s pastors, and Royal Rangers commanders who model excellence in ministry. The awards are given in the four categories:

Karl W. Bunkley Teacher of the Year (Sunday School/ Discipleship Ministry),
Youth Pastor of the Year (Youth Ministry),
Children’s Pastor of the Year (Children’s Ministry),
Royal Rangers Commander of the Year (Royal Ranger commanders).

Recipients of CEM's National Awards of Excellence not only receive a monetary gift of $1,000.00, but in addition they also receive a beautifully engraved award celebrating their accomplishment.   CEM is indebted to LifeSprings Resources, Royal Rangers, Men's Ministries, Emmanuel College, and Southwestern Christian University for their sponsorship of these awards and their commitment to recognizing excellence in ministry.

Janet Gay seems tireless in her effort to create a place where children know not just that they are loved and they belong, but that God has purposed in them plans for His Kingdom and that He is working to accomplish in them His purposes. “Wherever they need me, I will be; whatever they need me to do; I will do” : this was the attitude Janet adopted early and often as her involvement in the work of her church began taking shape. It was not long before the needs of her church and her gifting met in a Sunday school classroom filled with Kindergarteners, and this was no chance meeting, not then - not now. For twenty-two years Janet Gay has walked into the classrooms of Harvest Ministries and faithfully met “her” children, each Sunday. And what a meeting it is!

Vibrant Praise & Worship, hilarious puppet skits, enriching colors and games, engaging curriculum; festivals, outreaches, and Vacation Bible School! The fun of learning never stops. It has been said that many hats are worn by those who serve, and Janet is no exception, she has worn many hats; one, in particular, that comes with a wig and a red nose. As “Sunshine the Clown” Janet has lightened hearts and brought smiles to many faces- young and old.

Never taking all the credit and realizing her task is not one she can do alone, Janet is quick to praise, both in public and private, those who help her. She is especially thrilled when teenagers, most of whom were once in her Children’s Church, desire her to teach them the craft of puppetry, and then seek out opportunities to be involved in the Children’s Church ministry. Throughout her years of service at Harvest Ministries Janet Gay has exemplified the qualities of spirit and content of character worthy of recognition, which is why the 2008 recipient of the Karl W. Bunkley Teacher of the Year is Janet Gay.

Gene Henderson has been a driving force for the last ten years in breaking down barriers outside the walls of the local church and community. The Bible is his guide for all facets of daily life. He teaches through example the importance of hard work and sacrifice and the benefits of both. In addition to his role as youth pastor, Rev. Gene also serves the SC IPHC as secretary of the Church Education Ministries Board, serves on the board of Christ Central Ministries International and President of the Motorcycle Club of South Congaree.

There has been tremendous growth at Ebenezer PH Church where Gene serves. At a Monday night youth service, in which there were only 5 attending, there is now 50 or more. Sunday school has grown to over 175; worship services accommodate 300; Girls ministry runs 35-40; and Royal Rangers has 60-75.   Conference CEM Director, Greg Amos, says that, “Gene works tirelessly and selflessly to minister to youth!” He ministers to kids in the church and outside of the church, having a Kamp hosting as many as 1200 children each year with 400 volunteers on staff. There are 11 partnering churches and over 20 participating churches directly involved in the planning and execution of this Kamp. Their nights are filled with Christian training, fun and activities. Requiring 12 months of preparation, this Kamp has proven to be successful in bringing children into the kingdom of God and into the hearts of the individuals who work with them.

Children look up to Gene for his loving and accepting heart because he reached out to them no matter their race or status. One girl in his youth group comments, “After I lost my mom when I was 13, Pastor Gene and Gina became my family!” She speaks for many children in the church and neighborhood around them. He has taught young and old alike that Christ is the meaning of life and the only reason for living. He supports all age groups of the church and is respected as an advisor, counselor and friend to all.

A few adjectives to describe Charles are: strength, kind, wise, patient, understanding, loving, meek, and positive. Thirty years of voluntary service at his church, Springs of Praise in Jacksonville, Mississippi, have given him many opportunities to demonstrate these qualities. Year after year, Charles comes up with new and fresh ideas for Children’s ministry that keep the focus of the children to whom he ministers. His pastor, Darrel Blankenship, says that as soon as Charles was added to the staff at their church in 1976, they watched the ministry for children became as big as the ministry to adults on any Sunday morning. “It is amazing to see the many children that he has mentored return with their own children to sing the praises of a man who instilled so much into their lives,” says Pastor Blankenship.

Charles’s younger sister, CEM Director of the Mississippi Conference, says that as she grew, she saw Charles’s commitment to Jesus. Every morning she watched as he put his feet on the floor and proclaimed, “This is a great day you have created Jesus, and I will rejoice and be glad in it!”   He became her hero and mentor when both of her parents passed away.

Of his own, Charles has 3 children, 2 girls and one boy, and 8 grandchildren. From his life in ministry Charles has many children that he has passionately taught about the love of Jesus. On any given Sunday he is seen not sitting on the sidelines of his children’s room but actively participating in their lessons modeling Christ for them. It is said that Brother Charles prays with his feet. He visits kids when they are sick or hurting and prays constantly for them. He has taught three generations in some of the families at his church and they love knowing the true commitment that he is putting into each child.

Some men shape stones and build with bricks and wood, some find meaning in thought and cleverly written words, some prune hedges and plow fields, landscape horizons and pave new roads, and at the end of the day when they have retired from work some men sit down and ask the question “Did I live fully today?” Commander Koon is not that sort of man.

He shapes lives and builds character, he finds meaning in giving of himself without an expectation of return, he uproots old ways of thinking and doing and plants new seeds of courage and service, he sets his eyes to a soon coming horizon and makes clear the path of faith to those around him, and at the end of the day the burning question in him is not “Did I live fully today?” but “Father, did I fill today with you!”

The answer to his question can be found in the lives of the young men at Life Springs Worship Center, where Commander Koon serves. He gives himself, time and resource, not only to teach the Royal Ranger program, but also to demonstrate a life of faith in action.   Community outreach, neighborhood canvassing, coat and blanket drives, and even fried turkey sales, are not treated as ways to meet badge requirements or balance a fund raising budget, but as an opportunity to respond in faith to people in need.   Commander Koon is a big man with a heart even bigger; it makes room for not only his family, but for his community.   For his commitment to excellence we celebrate, Sammy Koon, as the 2008 Royal Rangers Commander of the Year.

Last update on 6/4/2009
©IPHC Ministries. All rights reserved

The CEM National Awards for Excellence are given to honor the teachers, youth and children’s pastors, and Royal Rangers commanders who model excellence in ministry. The awards are given in the four categories:

Karl W. Bunkley Teacher of the Year (Sunday School/ Discipleship Ministry),
Youth Pastor of the Year (Youth Ministry),
Children’s Pastor of the Year (Children’s Ministry),
Royal Rangers Commander of the Year (Royal Ranger commanders).

Recipients of CEM's National Awards of Excellence not only receive a monetary gift of $1,000.00, but in addition they also receive a beautifully engraved award celebrating their accomplishment. CEM is indebted to LifeSprings Resources, Royal Rangers, Men's Ministries, Emmanuel College, and Southwestern Christian University for their sponsorship of these awards and their commitment to recognizing excellence in ministry.

Janet Gay seems tireless in her effort to create a place where children know not just that they are loved and they belong, but that God has purposed in them plans for His Kingdom and that He is working to accomplish in them His purposes. “Wherever they need me, I will be; whatever they need me to do; I will do” : this was the attitude Janet adopted early and often as her involvement in the work of her church began taking shape. It was not long before the needs of her church and her gifting met in a Sunday school classroom filled with Kindergarteners, and this was no chance meeting, not then - not now. For twenty-two years Janet Gay has walked into the classrooms of Harvest Ministries and faithfully met “her” children, each Sunday. And what a meeting it is!

Vibrant Praise & Worship, hilarious puppet skits, enriching colors and games, engaging curriculum; festivals, outreaches, and Vacation Bible School! The fun of learning never stops. It has been said that many hats are worn by those who serve, and Janet is no exception, she has worn many hats; one, in particular, that comes with a wig and a red nose. As “Sunshine the Clown” Janet has lightened hearts and brought smiles to many faces- young and old.

Never taking all the credit and realizing her task is not one she can do alone, Janet is quick to praise, both in public and private, those who help her. She is especially thrilled when teenagers, most of whom were once in her Children’s Church, desire her to teach them the craft of puppetry, and then seek out opportunities to be involved in the Children’s Church ministry. Throughout her years of service at Harvest Ministries Janet Gay has exemplified the qualities of spirit and content of character worthy of recognition, which is why the 2008 recipient of the Karl W. Bunkley Teacher of the Year is Janet Gay.

Gene Henderson has been a driving force for the last ten years in breaking down barriers outside the walls of the local church and community. The Bible is his guide for all facets of daily life. He teaches through example the importance of hard work and sacrifice and the benefits of both. In addition to his role as youth pastor, Rev. Gene also serves the SC IPHC as secretary of the Church Education Ministries Board, serves on the board of Christ Central Ministries International and President of the Motorcycle Club of South Congaree.

There has been tremendous growth at Ebenezer PH Church where Gene serves. At a Monday night youth service, in which there were only 5 attending, there is now 50 or more. Sunday school has grown to over 175; worship services accommodate 300; Girls ministry runs 35-40; and Royal Rangers has 60-75. Conference CEM Director, Greg Amos, says that, “Gene works tirelessly and selflessly to minister to youth!” He ministers to kids in the church and outside of the church, having a Kamp hosting as many as 1200 children each year with 400 volunteers on staff. There are 11 partnering churches and over 20 participating churches directly involved in the planning and execution of this Kamp. Their nights are filled with Christian training, fun and activities. Requiring 12 months of preparation, this Kamp has proven to be successful in bringing children into the kingdom of God and into the hearts of the individuals who work with them.

Children look up to Gene for his loving and accepting heart because he reached out to them no matter their race or status. One girl in his youth group comments, “After I lost my mom when I was 13, Pastor Gene and Gina became my family!” She speaks for many children in the church and neighborhood around them. He has taught young and old alike that Christ is the meaning of life and the only reason for living. He supports all age groups of the church and is respected as an advisor, counselor and friend to all.

A few adjectives to describe Charles are: strength, kind, wise, patient, understanding, loving, meek, and positive. Thirty years of voluntary service at his church, Springs of Praise in Jacksonville, Mississippi, have given him many opportunities to demonstrate these qualities. Year after year, Charles comes up with new and fresh ideas for Children’s ministry that keep the focus of the children to whom he ministers. His pastor, Darrel Blankenship, says that as soon as Charles was added to the staff at their church in 1976, they watched the ministry for children became as big as the ministry to adults on any Sunday morning. “It is amazing to see the many children that he has mentored return with their own children to sing the praises of a man who instilled so much into their lives,” says Pastor Blankenship.

Charles’s younger sister, CEM Director of the Mississippi Conference, says that as she grew, she saw Charles’s commitment to Jesus. Every morning she watched as he put his feet on the floor and proclaimed, “This is a great day you have created Jesus, and I will rejoice and be glad in it!” He became her hero and mentor when both of her parents passed away.

Of his own, Charles has 3 children, 2 girls and one boy, and 8 grandchildren. From his life in ministry Charles has many children that he has passionately taught about the love of Jesus. On any given Sunday he is seen not sitting on the sidelines of his children’s room but actively participating in their lessons modeling Christ for them. It is said that Brother Charles prays with his feet. He visits kids when they are sick or hurting and prays constantly for them. He has taught three generations in some of the families at his church and they love knowing the true commitment that he is putting into each child.

Some men shape stones and build with bricks and wood, some find meaning in thought and cleverly written words, some prune hedges and plow fields, landscape horizons and pave new roads, and at the end of the day when they have retired from work some men sit down and ask the question “Did I live fully today?” Commander Koon is not that sort of man.

He shapes lives and builds character, he finds meaning in giving of himself without an expectation of return, he uproots old ways of thinking and doing and plants new seeds of courage and service, he sets his eyes to a soon coming horizon and makes clear the path of faith to those around him, and at the end of the day the burning question in him is not “Did I live fully today?” but “Father, did I fill today with you!”

The answer to his question can be found in the lives of the young men at Life Springs Worship Center, where Commander Koon serves. He gives himself, time and resource, not only to teach the Royal Ranger program, but also to demonstrate a life of faith in action. Community outreach, neighborhood canvassing, coat and blanket drives, and even fried turkey sales, are not treated as ways to meet badge requirements or balance a fund raising budget, but as an opportunity to respond in faith to people in need. Commander Koon is a big man with a heart even bigger; it makes room for not only his family, but for his community. For his commitment to excellence we celebrate, Sammy Koon, as the 2008 Royal Rangers Commander of the Year.