International Sunday School Department
President
Bishop Alton E. Gatlin is a visionary with a desire to see the people of the Lord "prosper and be in health, as their souls prosper!" Receiving his formal training from Mississippi Valley State University and the University of Southwestern Louisiana he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He holds a Master of Divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
God has favored the labor and ministry of Bishop Alton E. Gatlin promoting him to the leadership of the Trinidad & Tobago Jurisdiction. Bishop Gatlin is International Superintendent (President) of the Sunday School Department of the Church of God in Christ. He is spreading his love for learning, training and growth through the work of the Sunday School Ministry.
He is the Pastor of the First Church of God in Christ, Crowley, LA. He continues to serve faithfully with the Louisiana First Jurisdiction under the capable leadership of Bishop Roy L. H. Winbush. He is the District Superintendent of the Crowley District and Jurisdictional Dean of the United State Auxiliaries Convention and President of the Department of Education. He is a motivational speaker conducting seminars, workshops and meetings on a national and international level. He is currently the President of the Louisiana chapters of the C. H. Mason Bible College.
He has a sincere passion for cultivating ministries and Church Growth. His apostolic ministry has established churches in Iota, Mermentau, Ville Platte, Lake Arthur and Church Point, Louisiana. His love for young people prompted the organization of the ‘Love Alive’ Campus Ministry, comprised of nine universities in Louisiana.
In addition to his ministerial duty, Bishop Gatlin is a great supporter of family and community. He is married to Supervisor Vanessa Winbush Gatlin. They have two sons, one daughter by marriage, two beautiful granddaughters and one grandson.
Without fear, without favor, and without compromise, Bishop Gatlin is dedicated to the work of the ministry, the upbuilding of the kingdom, the edifying of the body of Christ!
International Sunday School Department
Field Representative
Evangelist Cleolia Wells-Penix was born in Sparkman, Arkansas the seventh child and fraternal twin from the union of Deacon Evandust and Mother Ozella Wells. She is a graduate of Sparkman Training School, matriculating with high academic honors. Her avocation was advanced as a graduate of Nola’s School of Cosmetology.
Her formal Christian education includes Charles Harrison Mason Bible College and First Assembly of God Bible Institute.
Her unfettered dedication to building the kingdom spiritually and naturally has resulted in the addition of numerous souls and an integral role in the construction of three houses of worship, Williams Temple Church of God in Christ, Sparkman, Arkansas; St. Paul Church of God in Christ, Rockford, Illinois; Brown’s Temple Church of God in Christ, Rockford, Illinois.
Her leadership roles include being appointed to serve in Fifth Jurisdiction of Illinois as Jurisdictional Sunday School Representative to Jurisdictional Sunday School Superintendent W. James Campbell under the leadership of founder the late Bishop Freeman Guy Green and the late Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women Addie Austin, tenure continuing under the leadership of the late Bishop Bennie Earl Goodwin, the late Bishop Samuel McCarthy and currently Bishop James E. Washington.
Her service is further epitomized with work at her local church, serving as Director of the Department of Women under then Elder James E. Washington for over twenty years. Her leadership training resulted in the promotion of several women to key roles at St. Paul.
Currently, she serves in dual roles as Administrative Assistant and Director of the Department of Women under the leadership of Superintendent Jesse Penix at Brown’s Temple Church of God in Christ, Rockford, Illinois.
Evangelist Cleolia Wells-Penix has been appointed to the office of International Sunday School Field Representative of the Church of God in Christ by Presiding Prelate Bishop Charles E. Blake serving with the leadership of President Bishop Alton Gatlin.
International Sunday School Department
Dean of Sunday School University
Superintendent Darrak Scurles was recently appointed by Presiding Prelate Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. as Second Vice President of the International Sunday School Department Church of God in Christ world-wide. He has also served as the Dean of training and curriculum development for the International Sunday School Department for the Church of God in Christ Inc. for twelve years now. Superintendent Scurles has developed Directors of Education for the facilitation of Men's, Women's, Special Needs and Disabilities, Leadership, Evangelism, Administration, Biblical Studies, Biblical Sciences, Urban Initiative, and Foundational Sunday School curriculum for meeting the needs of the family, community, and the church.
Superintendent Darrak Scurles is the Senior Pastor and founder of The New Life Christian Center Church of God in Christ in Pensacola Florida, as well as the district superintendent of the Gulf Coast District in Pensacola, Florida under jurisdictional prelate, Bishop Willie J. Matheney of the Western Florida Jurisdiction. He has a great Evangelistic
Anointing and is on fire for God to get people saved and filled with the Holy Ghost so that you live your best life every day.
Superintendent Scurles is a proud Husband and Father, his beautiful wife, Lady KeTurah Scurles, and their daughter Naomi Grace have come ready to support the Man of God and help the people of Pensacola attain their place of greatness in God.
Superintendent Scurles, native of Denver Colorado, is a Military Veteran having served in the United States Navy as an Aviation electronics technician for 8 years. He is a man of God that has a strong entrepreneurial gift and He has run his own business since 1990, he is the President and CEO of Business Wealth Solutions LLC with over 5200 active clients around the Country. Pastor Scurles has a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado Christian University in Organizational Management with an emphasis on Christian Leadership. He also has a Masters degree from the American College University in Financial Management and counseling. Superintendent Scurles is professionally licensed with a Series 6 and 63 Securities designation. Life, Accident, and Health, also certified Gold and Precious Metals Advisor.
108th HOLY CONVOCATION
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
O. T. JONES SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTITUTE CLASS SCHEDULE
Superintendent Darrak M. Scurles, 2ND Vice-President
Dean of Training and Curriculum
|
TOPICS / INSTRUCTORS |
LOCATION |
|
“Character Development” Texas Northeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Pastor Larry Polk |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Throw Out The Dragnet” Eastern Missouri Western Illinois Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction International Evangelist Shirley Wooten |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Gopher & Stewardship Delegation in the Sunday School” Illinois Midwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Evangelist Arbe Woods Brooks, Administration Director |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Tradition Versus Scripture” Alabama First Jurisdiction Elder Eric Owens |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Patients and Hospital Care” Alabama First Jurisdiction Chaplin Frederick Woods |
T.B.A.
|
|
“End Time Bible Prophecy” Eastern Missouri First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Evangelist Joyce Graham |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Committed Teachers are Imperative for Spiritual Development and Growth” Southeast Illinois Jurisdiction Missionary Angela Sanford |
T.B.A.
|
108th HOLY CONVOCATION
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
O. T. JONES SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTITUTE CLASS SCHEDULE
Superintendent Darrak M. Scurles, 2ND Vice-President
Dean of Training and Curriculum
|
TOPICS / INSTRUCTORS |
LOCATION |
|
“Biblical Evidence of Science” Alabama First Jurisdiction Dr. Paul B. Ruffin, Biblical Sciences Ministry Director |
T.B.A.
|
|
“7 Steps To the Kingdom” South Central Georgia Jurisdiction Pastor John Staples |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Strengthening Your Commitment” Texas Southeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Pastor Charles Lovings |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Ministering to Disabilities and Special Needs” Arkansas Second Jurisdiction Missionary Nancy Mitchell-Jones |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Getting a College Campus Ministry Started” Texas South Central Jurisdiction Pastor Al Shaw |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Iron Sharpens Iron” Fifth Illinois Jurisdiction Pastor Charles Nash |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Using Social Media for Expanding Your Sunday School” Tennessee Headquarters Jurisdiction Elect Lady Carolyn Livingston |
T.B.A.
|
108th HOLY CONVOCATION
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
O. T. JONES SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTITUTE CLASS SCHEDULE
Superintendent Darrak M. Scurles, 2ND Vice-President
Dean of Training and Curriculum
|
TOPICS / INSTRUCTORS |
LOCATION |
|
“Pastoral Support Is Critical For Sunday School” Third Illinois Jurisdiction Pastor Andre Johnson |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Committed To The Will Of God” Texas Southeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Elder Charles Rowry |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Clear View To Salvation” South Central Georgia Jurisdiction Superintendent Lee Norris |
T.B.A.
|
|
“What’s My Next Assignment?” Missouri Western First Jurisdiction Bishop Frank Douglas, Jr. |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Alzheimer’s: Lest We Forget” Maryland Jurisdiction Dr. Jonathan Sheppard, MD |
T.B.A.
|
|
“The 11th Hour Ministry” Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction Dr. Linda Smith |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Committed to the Will Of God” Texas Southeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Evangelist Carolyn Cecile Hines |
T.B.A.
|
108th HOLY CONVOCATION
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
O. T. JONES SUNDAY SCHOOL INSTITUTE CLASS SCHEDULE
Superintendent Darrak M. Scurles, 2ND Vice-President
Dean of Training and Curriculum
|
TOPICS / INSTRUCTORS |
LOCATION |
|
“God’s Sovereign Intent” Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction Bishop Robert D. Strong, Biblical Studies Director |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Salvation: A Solid Foundation in Sunday School” Illinois Midwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Evangelist Arbe Woods-Brooks, Administration Studies Director |
T.B.A.
|
|
“No Ordinary Journey” Eastern Louisiana Third Jurisdiction Elder Jimmy Fleming |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Ministering to Disabilities and Special Needs” Arkansas Second Jurisdiction Superintendent Eddie Miller, Disabilities Ministry Director |
T.B.A.
|
|
“The Transformational Journey” Louisiana East Jurisdiction #1 Field Representative Jeannette Donald, Leadership Ministry Director |
T.B.A.
|
|
“The Importance of the Book of Kings for a Sunday School Teacher” Southeastern Illinois Jurisdiction International Assistant Field Representative, Charla V. Johnson, Women Ministry Director |
T.B.A.
|
|
“Equipping The Saints” Texas Southeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Superintendent Terence K. Kirk, Foundational Sunday School Director |
T.B.A.
|
