ENYGA 2017 Convention Program

Post Office Box 901222, Far Rockaway, New York 11690-1222 Phone: (718) 327-9470

Website: www.enyga.com

Our MISSION We, the Eastern New York General Assembly of the Church of God, as a united body of congregations and ministries, under the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, exist to: • Effectively build, strengthen, and plant churches; • Carry out the Great Commission of Christ; • Train and develop Godly servant leaders; • Equip through Biblical instruction; and • Support each other in love, by the sharing of available resources

Our VISION Our Vision in the Eastern New York General Assembly of the Church of God is to realize the love of Christ, the power and authority of the Holy Spirit while carrying out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) We endeavor to: • Double our community to over 4,000 persons fitly joined together (Ephesians 2:21) performing the work and worship of God • Establish a large multi-purpose center with the capacity for more than 3,000 people in worship • Equip all churches to intentionally do effective disciple-making and mentoring • Build an effective prayer ministry network • Organize a visible, holistic urban ministry, focusing on meeting the needs of the family, church and community • Create effective worship, arts, and technology ministries for each congregation • Institute a concentric organization with the inner circle of State Leaders serving three manageable clusters of churches • Launch a global evangelistic ministry winning the world to Jesus Christ; equipped and mobilized laity for purposeful intercultural evangelism (Acts 1:8)

Ministries Leaders

Christian Education Director.........................................................................................Sister Raquel Effinger The State Board of Ushers President................................................. Minister Elizabeth Cheeseman-Martin The State Men’s Ministry President............................................................................. Reverend Jason Sylva The Christian Women Connection President..............................................................Minister Gwen Crooms The State Youth Ministry............................................................................................. Brother Matthew Olge

Credential Board

Reverend Virginia Robinson, Chairperson Reverend Dr. Jefferson Bannister Reverend Dr. Arthur W. Davenport Reverend Clfton McDowell Reverend Michael Peynado Reverend Clinton Pough

Welcome to our 74th ENYGA Annual Convention! To God be the Glory! Great things He has done! It is only by the grace and mercies of God that I was able to complete my second term as President of this great assembly. Thanks to all of you for your fervent prayers that helped me/us overcome the many challenges we faced. There is much to celebrate and to give God thanks for His bountiful blessings.

I would like to reflect back on the amazing things the Lord has done, and what He is doing among us. During this past year, The Holy Spirit has led the Assembly to embark on the following initiatives: •

In July, 2016, at the Church of God of East New York the credentialing board commissioned, licensed and ordained the largest group of ministers in recent memory that completed the credentialing process. We invite you to join us at our next Credentialing Service to be held during our annual convention service on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at the Church of God of East New York. I encourage all of you to be there to support and encourage your brothers and sisters as they follow the call of God in Christian ministry.

•

In October, 2016 and May 2017 I was blessed to be one of the facilitators at the Christian Leadership Institute Ministries week long conferences for over 250 international Pastors and leaders to teach on the Disciple-making process.

•

Also in October 2016, it was encouraging to me to witness the participation of another church, First Church of God, Far Rockaway, in the disciple-making process pathway, thus becoming the first model church in the Queens/Long Island cluster. Congratulations to the New Testament Church of God for staying on track and completing three years in the process. A few Pastors have expressed interest to have their churches involved. I would like to encourage all the Pastors to get on board as this is the mission and mandate for God’s church. One of the goals for the next three years is to be intentional in providing additional training and development seminars and workshops to empower our congregations to get on the growth pathway.

* In February 2017, we continued the discipleship Process training using the on-going theme for the Annual Leadership Empowerment Seminar, “4D-Developing and Deploying Devoted Disciples”, facilitated by Rev. Steve Tice, (of the Navigators), Rev. Dr. Jefferson Bannister, (Senior Pastor, Grace COG) and Rev. Clifton McDowell, (Senior Pastor, Church of God of East New York). There were about one hundred and forty persons in attendance and the seminar was a tremendous success. For the next three years we plan to increase the number of seminars and workshops to accelerate the discipleship process.

* Another success to celebrate is the growing list of New York State Chaplain Federation graduates. Persons, including pastors, ministers and lay leaders who were trained as Chaplains. These candidates will also be certified by the New York State Chaplain Federation upon completion.

•

Special thanks to those Pastors and congregations that responded in assisting Bronx Westchester Community Church, which is the next church on our priority list, as they complete the reconstruction to the section of their building which was condemned by the city. This request is in line with our vision plan as an Assembly to support local churches.

We encourage your ongoing support to help BWCC complete this project.

•

There are a few churches without pastors for several years now and I must thank the credentialing board for working so diligently trying to work with those churches to not deviate from but follow the processes according to the credentialing manual of the Church of God. This is no time for churches to be in maintenance or life support mode since scripture is clear about the purpose and mission of God’s church to the world.

* Currently we are diligently working to build the leadership capacities of the Assembly, with input from our partners, COG Ministries, Anderson, to develop a Leadership Training Curriculum for all levels of the credentialing process. I am encouraged by the tremendous progress made over the past months as the planning and preparation for launching the new learning institution, Christian Learning Center, formerly known as CBI (Christian Bible Institute). The Dean of CLC, Rev. Virginia Robinson and her team are doing a marvelous job putting together the resources, teaching staff, etc. for launching CLC. Prayerfully the goal is for CLC to be operational in September, 2017.

I am personally looking forward to your support by asking you to register for this State Convention if you haven’t already done so. We need your presence and participation in the various workshops and services as we gather at the Church of God of East New York and Westbury Divine Church respectively to celebrate the 74th Annual Convention from June 2-4, 2017.

Together we do better!

I solicit your prayers and support as we strive to press toward the mark of a heavenly calling to better serve and empower the local churches in the years to come.

Your Servant Leader In Christ,

Reverend Dr. Harold E. Banarsee

President, Eastern New York General Assembly of the Church of God

­— Friday, June 2, 2017 - Evening Service - @ 7:30 PM — Church of God East New York 905 Sutter Avenue, Brooklyn, New York Reverend Clifton McDowell, Host Pastor

Chairperson.......................................................... Bro. Mark Atkinson, Church of God of East New York Invocation & Welcome................................................................................................ Bro. Mark Atkinson Praise & Worship......................................................................................................... Youth Praise Team Scripture Reading: John 15:5-8.......................... Sis. Lori-Ann Mangal, Westbury Divine Church of God Special Selection.......................................................................................................................................

President’s Address............................................................................ Reverend Dr. Harold Banarsee

Senior Pastor - Church of God of Freeport & ENYGA President Offering................................................... Minister Laverne Mitchell, First Church of God, Far Rockaway Introduction of the Speakers........................ Minister Carlos Bannister, Grace Church of God, Brooklyn Special Sermonic Selection...................................................................... State Convention Praise Team Keynote Speakers....................................................................................................................................

“The Word”........................................................................................ Bro. Michael Copeland

Church of God of East New York

“Prayer”...............................................................................................Sis. Christine Celestin

First Church of God, Jamaica

“Relationships”............................................................................. Minister Marsha Gadsden

Grace Church of God, Brooklyn Altar Call.......................................................................................................... Reverend Kevin Osbourne

Senior Pastor - Refuge Church of God, Brooklyn & ENYGA Second Vice President Benediction...............................................................................................................................................

Church of God of East New York

Michael Copeland is a 32 year old young man, born and raised in New York and has been a part of the Church of God of East New York, Brooklyn, from birth under the leadership of Pastor Clifton McDowell. Being the son of strong God-fearing parents, Sylvester (former Sunday School superintendent and trustee board member) and Alma Copeland (Director of Music), Michael was unaware that following Jesus was a choice. Michael serves his church family as one of the senior youth leaders, band members as well as worship leader. In all areas of ministry (worship, youth, etc.), Michael is focused on getting past the outer courts and into the holy of holies. Michael started serving at the National Inspirational Youth Convention as a volunteer, he provided coffee, moved boxes, an ran errands. Since this time, his responsibilites have grown and he currently serves as the 1st Vice President for the convention. However, no matter how big or small the task, it has been his joy to serve God, God’s people and bring a smile to everyone’s face. Michael graduated from Baruch College with a Bachelor’s of Business Degree in Operations Management. He later went on to graduate with a Masters in Business Administration degree in Marketing from Nyack College. In 2014, God blessed Michael with his biggest role in life thus far, joining in the ministry of marriage and serving his gorgeous, intelligent, loving and talented wife Meekaelle Copeland. In 2016, Michael took on his newest role as Dad.

First Church of God, Jamaica

Christina Celestin is a dedicated servant, striving to fulfill her God-given purpose. At an early age, she gave her heart to the Lord and has since offered her gifts of song and dance to bless others and, more importantly, glorify God. Christina found her love of dancing for the Lord in the trials and tribulations that God has graced her through. She has used those experiences with ever-growing faith and turned it into beautiful expressions of dance for God. To watch her dance is to hear her heart speak.

Christina currently has a dance ministry fittingly called Work of God Dance Ministries. She is humble to her anointing; for whom much is given much is required. She is a committed follower of Christ in her congregation, First Church of God in Jamaica, New York, under the dynamic leadership of her pastor, Rev. Virginia Robinson. She serves and leads in various ministries – from music and dance ministry, to the women and youth ministry.

In addition to being active in her local church, Christina lends her hand within the Eastern New York General Assembly state ministry activities as well as serving at the National Association of the Church of God (West Middlesex, PA) annual Campmeeting.

Christina is a graduate of Long Island University (Brooklyn, NY) with her Bachelors of Science in Health Science and Psychology. She hopes to reach youth and young adult women through her platform, Neva4saken, as she is passionate about the spiritual well-being of others.

She is the youngest daughter of four children born of her God-fearing mother, Sis. Christiane Hyppolite.

Grace Church of God, Brooklyn Min. Marsha Gadsden was born in Brooklyn, NY to Rev. Dr. Jefferson & Lady Cynthia Bannister of Grace Church of God where she serves as minister and executive director under the leadership of her father.

She is the very happy wife of Min. Matthew Gadsden, and proud mother of Luke (3 years old) with a little girl on the way.

Marsha has a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University (cum laude), where she participated in and led various social and affinity groups including being president of the gospel choir and founder of the GU Sisters for Christ, a Christian sisterhood that inspired and still continues to inspire many young women, over a decade later to come to know Christ and live for him fully.

At Georgetown, Marsha also played a significant role in challenging and ultimately succeeding in having Georgetown change their core curriculum requirements to be more inclusive of other cultures. From there, Marsha went on to Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where she received a Masters in Public Policy. While there, Marsha co-chaired the prestigious Black Policy Conference that invites key politicians, policy makers and other movers and shakers to come together to address issues that impact the Black diaspora nationally and internationally. Marsha also has a 2nd Master’s in Education from Hunter University.

Since then, Min. Marsha has been living out her calling to transform people’s lives through God’s love in church and through her career. She has been an educator for the past 8 years and is currently a principal at Brooklyn Ascend Middle School, where she has led a major culture turnaround through love that not only has impacted her school, but has also caught the attention of educators across the nation. Recently, her radical and transformative work was highlighted by the NY Times. Simultaneously, Marsha has shared her expertise and talents within Grace Church of God, not only as Executive Director, but also as a worship leader, preacher and Christian education teacher.

Marsha has received numerous awards and recognition throughout her life; however, her ultimate desire and purpose is to hear the words “Well Done” from her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, when her time on earth has come to an end.

­— Saturday, June 3, 2017— Westbury Divine Church of God 911 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, New York Reverend Michael Peynado, Host Pastor

KINGDOM KIDS CONVENTION UNDER THE TENT

9:30 AM – 2:30 PM

9:15 AM - Registration - Children 3-12 Years Old Children’s Workshops Facilitated by Sis. Racquel Effinger, Christian Education Director LUNCH

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

Children’s Workshops Resume @ 1:15 PM (ends at 2:30 PM)

YOUTH & ADULTS 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

9:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Registration - Youth & Adults

Opening Prayer & Devotion.......................................................................................................................

Greetings..........................................................................................................Dr. Steve Tice, Navigators Introduction of Speakers...........................................................................................................................

Workshops..................................................................................................... Youth & Adults - Session 1 LUNCH

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Praise & Worship........................................................................................ State Convention Praise Team Workshops..................................................................................................... Youth & Adults - Session 2 “The Disciple Making Challenge: Get on the Pathway” Closing Remarks/Annoucements..............................................................................................................

Benediction...............................................................................................................................................

­— Sunday, June 4, 2017 — Evening Service - @ 5:00 PM Church of God East New York 905 Sutter Avenue, Brooklyn, New York Reverend Clifton McDowell, Host Pastor

Chairperson....................................................Sis. Stephanie Bannister, Grace Church of God, Brooklyn Invocation & Welcome........................................................................................Sis. Stephanie Bannister Processional of Officers & Clergy.............................................................................................................

Praise & Worship.......................................................................................State Convention Praise Team Intercessory Prayer...............................................................................................Reverend Paul Cooper

Senior Pastor - Bronx Westchester Community Church of God Congregational Song.................................................................................................................................

Offering (Offertory Song by Choir)..................................................................Reverend Clifton McDowell

Senior Pastor - Church of God of East New York Special Presentation by State’s Kingdom Kids........................................................Sis. Racquel Effinger

First Church of God, Jamaica & ENYGA Christian Education Director Video Introduction of the Speaker

Special Sermonic Selection.................................................................................State Convention Choir Keynote Speaker............................................................................................Reverend Clinton Pough

Senior Pastor - Discipleship Faith Church of God, Brooklyn Altar Call............................................................................................................. Reverend Clinton Pough Credentialing Service.................................................................................... Reverend Virginia Robinson

Senior Pastor - First Church of God, Jamaica & ENYGA Credentialing Committee Chairperson

Closing Remarks/Acknowledgements........................................................... Reverend Harold Banarsee

Senior Pastor - Church of God of Freeport & ENYGA President Benediction........................................................................................................... Reverend John Grable

First Church of God, Far Rockaway

Discipleship Faith Church of God, Brooklyn

Reverend Clinton Pough serves as Pastor of Discipleship Faith Church of God, Brooklyn, New York.

He was saved and mentored in the pastorate of Pastor Lula B. King of Faith Mission Church of God, Brooklyn, New York. He served in many ministries of the church. He served as associate minister and interim pastor at Faith Mission Church of God. Pastor Pough has also served in several offices of the Eastern New York Ministerial Assembly and the Eastern New York General Assembly. He and Sister Claudett pastored and served at New Testament Church of God in completing their new building and the burning of its mortgage from 1983 to 1990. Sister and Pastor Pough also pioneered the Discipleship Christian Ministry in Bushwick, Brooklyn in 1996.

During the Viet Nam War era, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as a Medical Specialist and Chaplain’s Assistant Specialist, in Germany (1966). He retired from his secular employment in 2003.

Pastor Pough is a graduate of Brooklyn College and New York Theological Seminary. He claims an indebtedness to the Lord Jesus Christ and so many veteran ministers who have been supportive and encouraging to Sister Claudett and him over these many years. He is still grateful to the Lord and the late Reverend Hattie Downer of Williamsburg Church of God, who first invited him to preach at their Youth day in 1961.

Pastor Pough and Sister Claudett have been married for nearly forty-nine years (August 2017).

They are thankful to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, their families, God’s people and all the children touched by their lives through Christ.

SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2017 CONVENTION CLOSING SERVICE 5:00pm (Promptly) Church of God East New York - 905 Sutter Avenue, Brooklyn, NY Speaker: Rev. Clinton Pough, Senior Pastor - Discipleship Faith Church of God, Brooklyn ENYGA MINISTERIAL CREDENTIALLING SERVICE Come celebrate with those being elevated in the Lord’s service as Commissioned, Licensed or Ordained Ministers.

ENYGA GENERAL MEETING (End of the Year Meeting) MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2017 @ 8:00 PM End of Year Meeting; All ministry leaders and committees are expected to attend this meeting and come prepared to report on this year’s activities.

Venue: 110-10 167th Street, Jamaica, NY Rev. Virginia V. Robinson, Host Pastor

First Church of God

YOUTH CAMP MIDDLESEX “Summer Camp like no other!”

SUNDAY, JULY 9 - SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2017 REGISTRATION AVAILABLE AT: www.yepaw.org Sis. Sherill Durham-Sanders, Director Email: SherillDurham@aol.com

MINI-YEPAW (Youth Excellence Performing Arts Workshop) SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2017 – SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2017 YEPAW on an intensive scale; the mission is to encourage youth, through the arts, to pursue lifestyles of excellence. REGISTRATION AVAILABLE AT: www.yepaw.org ANNUAL CAMP MEETING ON ZION’S HILL NACOG Campground West Middlesex, PA SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2017 – SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2017 Theme:

“Serving God’s Purpose Through Generations”

Convention forms are available on website: www.nacog.com

REGULAR SCHEDULED GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS Every 2nd Monday @ 7:30p, Starting September 11, 2017 Venue:

First Church of God

1425 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaway, NY Rev. Dr. Arthur W. Davenport, Host Pastor

NIYC (National Inspiration Youth Convention) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2017 – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2017

“It’s Your Turn” Joshua 1:1-9 Venue: Little Rock, Arkansas

Theme:

Convention forms available on website: www.niyc.org

Agape Church of God Springfield Garden, NY Reverend Garvin Graham, Pastor

First Church of God, Far Rockaway Far Rockaway, NY Reverend Dr. Arthur W. Davenport, Pastor

Bronx Westchester Community Church of God Bronx, NY Reverend Paul Cooper, Pastor

First Church of God, Jamaica Jamaica, NY Reverend Virginia Robinson, Pastor

Cathedral of Joy Christian Center Brooklyn, NY Reverend Norma Canty, Pastor

Gospel Trumpet Church of God Bronx, NY Pastor: Vacant

Church of God of East NY Brooklyn, NY Reverend Clifton McDowell, Pastor

Grace Church of God Brooklyn, NY Reverend Dr. Jefferson W. Bannister, Pastor

Community Church of God Corona, NY Pastor: Vacant

Lafayette Avenue Church of God Brooklyn, NY Reverend Charles K. Darsan, Pastor

Church of God of Freeport Freeport, NY Reverend Harold E. Banarsee, Pastor

Mission Church of God Liberty, NY Reverend Ruth Sellers-Ward, Pastor

Congregational Church of God Manhattan, NY Reverend J-Anthony Dargan, Pastor

New Testament Church of God Brooklyn, NY Reverend Dr. Don Bethany, Pastor

Discipleship Faith Church of God Brooklyn, NY Reverend Clinton Pough, Pastor

Prophetic Church of God Manhattan, NY Pastor: Vacant

Evangelical Church of God Bronx, NY Pastor: Vacant

Refuge Church of God, Inc, Brooklyn, NY Reverend Kevin R. Osbourne, Pastor

First Church of God of Amityville Amityville, NY Reverend Cleveland Cummings, Pastor

Rock Church of God Bronx, NY Reverend Lennox Martin, Pastor

First Church of God of Rochester Rochester, NY Reverend Dr. Dwight Fowler, Pastor

United Community Church of God Laurelton, NY Reverend Dr. Charles Collymore, Pastor Westbury Divine Church of God Westbury, NY Reverend Michael Peynado, Pastor

Program Journal Layout and Printing Entrusted To: MLD Communications, 973-783-6198, mldcomm@aol.com