The Men & Young Men Alliance (COGOP)
There really is no such thing as an army of one, practically speaking. A team is a team because everyone knows that you can’t get things done by yourself. The Bible famously shares the wisdom that two is better than one because there is a “good reward for their labour.”
If that is the case, and it is, then the reward for seven has produced so much reward! I want to take the time to give special recognition to our Church of God of Prophecy 2024 National Men’s Ministry Team!
Howard Clark
Howard Clark is the Men’s Minister Director at TNCC. He is one of the newest additions to the National Men’s Team. He is a person who is dependable, reliable and encouraging. He was a surprise appointee by our National Bishop, and I believe he was more surprised than anyone else! He is not shy when it comes to ministry work and he is a strong force to be reckoned with especially with his fierce passion when it comes to helping men grow and challenging them towards commitment. He has told me that this year in particular, no matter how many men show up to his men’s meeting, he will always be there. He has quite a testimony about life, and I look forward to sitting down with him and having him share it with our men on a larger level. Thank you Howard for your contribution towards men’s ministry in Eastern Canada and all you do on our Team.
Asher Goombs
To my knowledge, Asher Goombs has the distinction of being the youngest person appointed on our Men’s Ministry Team (at least under my watch). He attends Royal Military College and will someday soon be protecting us on a much larger level as Canadians! Despite being in a rigorous post-secondary program with a busy life, he has demonstrated commitment as a young man to the National Men’s Ministry. One of our key National Mandates is to be allied with young men and boys, and what better way to do this than to have someone like Asher on our Team? He played a tremendous role in organizing the young men’s program at our 2024 Cornwall Retreat and will continue to keep connected with them. It is clear that his military organization, discipline and “can do” spirit is exactly what we need to influence and affect our young men towards the importance and camaraderie of men’s ministry. Thank you Asher for being a part of our National Team and all that you have done in 2024.
Fritz-Gerald Joseph
Fritz-Gerald is also one of newest members to be appointed to the National Men’s Team. He is part of one of our most important endeavors and that is bringing together English and French Canadian men under the umbrella of Eastern Canada! He is a busy world traveler, a part of the literary business and not to mention an important member in his local church of Montreal North and a husband in his young family. I am grateful and thankful for the perspective and contribution that he brings into our Team. Merci Bro Fritz!
Heatman Nickleford
Heatman Nickleford is a dynamo when it comes to the passion and ministry of men’s ministry in Hamilton and Eastern Canada. With many balls juggling in the air he makes it a priority to aim for excellence in whatever he is doing and organizing. I know personally that if Heatman has anything to say about things, Hamilton will show up when it comes to supporting the men’s ministry in Eastern Canada. His work as Men’s Regional Director of the West Family of Churches is a unifying force that is building towards a strong and dynamic force in this area of ministry. He brings energy, accountability and tenacity to our National Team and I am grateful to him and respect the contribution he has made to this ministry.
Percival Plummer
Percival Plummer is the GTA North Regional Director Family of Churches. Bro Percy is a passionate, no-nonsense and influential leader in men’s ministry in Eastern Canada. In contrast, if you’re not careful, he will keep you laughing until you fall right out of your seat! There is a professionalism and keen thought process he brings that benefits our National Ministry. He gets things going and keeps things moving not only in Eastern Canada but also in North Park Worship Center where he is a part of the local men’s team. Bro Percy is a prayer warrior and encourager and is instrumental to the morale of our Team. Thank you for all that you do!
Rodney Pringle
Rodney Pringle is (a younger) elder statesman of the Church of God of Prophecy! He brings a great deal of wisdom and experience to our Team. He is no stranger to the function and workings of our organization and we are so grateful to have his presence amongst us. Bro Rodney is the Men’s Regional Leader of the GTA Mid Region and works keenly at supporting and strengthening this dynamic area of men’s ministry. He is dependable, reliable and I can be sure that he will get things done. He is a respected and humbled man who is an important part of our National Men’s Team. Thank you Bro Rodney for all that you do here.
Marshall Sharpe
If you thought that Marshall Sharpe’s biggest attribute was the way to look cool playing the bass guitar, you have woefully missed the point! Bro Marshall is the assistant leader of the West Region Family of Churches and a powerful Western ally who leads men’s ministry in Montreal West. There is an amazing dynamic and thriving men’s ministry in this region that brings energy to our National Men’s movement in Eastern Canada. I can rest assured that Montreal West will show up and be a present when called on. With a busy life and a young family and an integral part of the local ministry, Marshall Sharpe can be counted on. Thank you for all that you have done and contributed towards our National Men’s Ministry.
National Men’s Team 2024
National Team with Bishop Shelton Beneby and Harvey Palmer (center front) at the National Men and Young Men’s Retreat – Cornwall, ON November 1 – 3, 2024.
Additional Thanks
As well as our National Team, there were a few honourable mentions that I would very much like to take the time and opportunity to personally thank. These individuals with very little desire for title or recognition, felt led by the Spirit to help move men’s ministry forward by using their own special gifts and talents.
Anthony Hunt (Honourable Mention)
Technically Anthony Hunt is not officially part of the Men’s Ministry Team, but who am I kidding, he is very much in spirit! He is there in our planning and in our meetings. He is an assistant to the GTA North Regional Family of Churches. There are some people who do things because of integrity and passion and Anthony is one such individual. He works closely with Bro Percy in the men’s ministry (and family ministry) at North Park Worship Center. Bro Anthony is an encouraging force and powerful prayer warrior and I am grateful and thankful to have him as part of our Team.
Kirk Elliot (Honorable Mention)
Kirk Elliot is a business entrepreneur and an amazing ally to our National Men’s Ministry. He took on the task during 2024 of organizing fundraising for our National Ministry which resulted in discounts for our young men 19 years and younger for our National Retreat applications, as well as being able to apply sponsorship discounts to help additional men and young men attend our Retreat. Kirk is one of those people who are open and enthusiastic to not just help out, but bring a committed and meaningful contribution to an organization just because he can. Thank you for your help this year Kirk!
Andrew Mahorn (Honorable Mention)
Andrew Mahorn is no stranger to the Church of God of Prophecy! We worked alongside together when he and I were at Erie Street Gospel Center (Abundant Life Gospel Center). He is an entrepreneur and small business owner, musician and family man. I am grateful and thankful for Andrew because he used his accounting skills and volunteered his assistance in being our accountant for National Men and Young Men’s Retreat. He helped us to create a budget, kept us on track and produced professional reports for us. All of us on the National Team experienced our maiden voyage planning this event, but with crew such as Andrew, we were able to safely make it to our destination. Thank you Andrew.
Local Men’s Leaders and Team Members
Without the tireless work of the Local Men’s Leaders and their Team Members, Men’s Ministry would certainly not advance in Eastern Canada! These men are the engine that move and support men in the Church of God of Prophecy. They focus on men and young men in both Quebec and Ontario and cover four broad Family Regions: East, GTA North, GTA Mid and West.
We connect through our Local Leaders and Team Members Google Docs and our National Men’s Ministry Whats App group. As a National Team we aim to support, promote and highlight the work and the events of our local churches, and update them through our Announcement Website. We do ask local leaders and team members to keep sending us your event dates and praise reports to <eastern.canada.mensministry@gmail.com>.
Thank you for all of your hard work this year and for showing up in a big way. We could not continue without your commitment, presence and support.
The Men & Young Men of Eastern Canada
Last, but definitely not least, when we reflect on men’s ministry, we must thank the men and young men of Eastern Canada! Without you we would have absolutely nothing! Who would we lead? Who would complete the work? You attended our Men and Girls Trip to the Metro Toronto Zoo, GTA Mid Region and West Region Men’s Conferences, and our National Men and Young Men’s Retreat. Of course, you supported your local men’s programs and events and kept things going in your own local churches.
Metro Toronto Zoo Trip – March 2024
Saturday Night Men & Young Men’s Retreat – Oct 2024
The Men’s Ministry in Eastern Canada has a long and powerful legacy that can not be extinguished by shifting societal perspectives of masculinity, negative stereotypes, COVID or any other regional or local stumbling blocks. We are a family, a community and an army of leaders, fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, husbands, uncles, brothers, mentors and young men.
It is my privilege and honour to be your Men’s Director for 2024, and I look forward to sharing my vision, direction and insight for the upcoming New Year. Stay tuned, I’ll also be putting together a visual diary of our main events from 2024 and also we will be reflecting on the messages of the National Men and Young Men’s Retreat with podcast interviews with Bishop Trevor Reid, Dr. Timothy Quek, and Pastor Step Wright.
May God bless and keep you all.
Israel Harriott
Men’s Director Eastern Canada (The Men & Young Men’s Alliance)
The Genesis Man Project 