The Young People Willing Workers Department is the International Youth Department of the Church of God in Christ. In 1912, Elder M.C. Green of Arkansas was appointed National YPWW Leader. At this time the national activities of the young people were confined, more or less, to sessions in the National Convocation.
In 1917, Bishop O.T. Jones, Sr. was appointed as the National President. Under his administration, YPWW grew to a large training organization. With the increasing number of philosophies and doctrinal dogmas circulating and targeting America’s youth, it became vitally imperative for the youth of the church to be educated in the biblically based doctrines of the Church of God in Christ. In 1929, the first National YPWW Congress was held in Kansas City, Missouri.

It was under the tenure of Bishop O.T. Jones, Sr. that the Young People Willing Workers Topics were created. They began humbly with only a subject and a scripture. Succeeded by his son, Bishop O.T. Jones, Jr., the department continued to evolve motivated by a spirit of excellence. Bishop O.T. Jones, Jr. propelled the commitment to Christian education by moving the YPWW Topic from a subject and a scripture to a complete manuscript curriculum.

Bishop C. D. Owens was the next International President of the YPWW Department. His charismatic personality and “silver tongue orator” delivery gave the department unequivocal exposure. He is credited with moving the responsibility of the YPWW Topic to the COGIC Publishing House. Bishop H. J. Bell then became the first author after the change and gave the YPWW Topic the name COGIC Training Union.  The Youth Department continued to excel under the leadership of the next two Presidents, Bishop William M. James and Bishop Charles H. Brewer. The department’s emphasis shifted from the pedagogical to include the evangelical. Many young people experienced the ecstasy of divine power and the magnanimity of divine grace as the “latter rain” fell mightily in the Youth Congress services.

Bishop J. Drew Sheard succeeded as International President after Bishop Charles Brewer. He served as the catalyst in expanding the scope of youth ministry with creative and innovative youth programs. Regional youth rallies provided the impetus for reparation and reclamation of enthusiasm and department synergy.  In 2000, his eminence, Presiding Bishop, Bishop G.E. Patterson appointed Bishop Brandon B. Porter as the eight International President. Pastor Porter accepted the challenge for global ministry. With visionary goals, he introduced various ministries. He was responsible for the publishing of the first Youth Department magazine-Youth LINC.

Bishop Michael Hill was appointed in January 2005 as the ninth President of the International Youth Department. Pastor Hill’s passion for ministry and commitment for excellence took the department to a greater level. He built upon the foundation of his predecessors, and has ‘lengthened the chords’ and extended the arms of youth ministry to reach a changing generation. Pastor Hill approached this opportunity in a fresh and innovative manner revamping existing auxiliaries, establishing new programs, and unveiled a new departmental logo. He also established the first International Youth Council.

Superintendent Nathaniel L. Green Sr.
International Youth Department President

In the year 2009, Superintendent Linwood Dillard was appointed the President of the International Youth Department. Under the leadership and extensive plan of Superintendent Dillard, the department took a quantum leap into the 21st Century utilized technology, a contemporary organizational structure and a “team” strategy to meet the challenges of today’s youth. Superintendent Dillard implemented the development of a strategic plan for the department as well as developed commissions to meet the ever changing environment that our youth deal with daily. Those commissions included; Education, Juvenile Crime Prevention and Reduction, Recreation and Organized Sports Commission, Information Technology, Spiritual Empowerment, College and Career Preparatory, and College Campus Ministries.

In 2013, Dr. Benjamin Stephens, III was appointed President of the International Youth Department and Evangelist Joyce Rodgers was re-appointed as Chairlady. Under the creative leadership and visionary plan of Pastor Stephens, the department looks to build on the solid foundation that has been laid in our prosperous history. Pastor Stephens has a plan to embrace the youth, youth leadership, and parents with innovative ideas that will lead countless souls to Jesus Christ with a belief that these steps will nurture their growth in faith. On these proposed fundamental and refined techniques given by Pastor Stephens, the International Youth Department is poised to march forward into the future.