The International Offices of the Church of God of Prophecy has announced that Kirk Rising will assume the role of International Youth Ministries Director as of Sept. 1. The announcement was made at the Church's International Assembly in Orlando on Aug. 3 by David Bryan, executive director of Leadership Development and Discipleship.
Mr. Rising will spearhead the Church's strategy to equip local, regional, state, and national youth leaders to reach young people for Christ as part of the Leadership Development and Discipleship division of the International Offices.
"I am pleased to welcome Kirk to the Leadership Development and Discipleship team," said Mr.
Bryan. "He brings quite a unique set of experiences, skills, and passions that I am confident will positively impact the youth of the Church of God of Prophecy and contribute to developing leaders from, among, and for, this generation. I believe he and (his wife) Sarah's personal and ministry narratives will add a splendid chapter to the story of international youth ministry in our body."
For 29 years, Mr. Rising has served in various youth ministry positions, including the positions of state youth director of Hawaii and of North Carolina, as well as missionary to Germany and French Polynesia (Tahiti) in the South Pacific. In the business world, Rising has owned a small business and acted as head coach of the French Polynesia Olympic qualifying basketball program. He studied Business Administration at the University of South Carolina and played collegiate basketball at Columbia Junior College in Columbia, SC. He also has more than 20 years of experience in graphic design, video and audio production.
Mr. Rising, who most recently served as media coordinator in the Communications department of the International Offices, said of the new role, "My intentions for this new position is, no matter what programs, events or resources I help develop, is that they will always have the goal of bringing a generation of young people into a new and deeper relationship with their creator, God."
He further explained his philosophy of ministry, "My purpose for being is to be in relationship with God. The will of God for my life is to bring others into a relationship with their creator. My goal is to love the Lord God with all my heart and my neighbor as myself."
Mr. Rising resides in Cleveland, Tn., with Sarah, his wife of 24 years. They have two children, Amanda and Carlos.