Our Focus
“The focus of the Southeast Region Youth Department is to Connect, Commune, and Collaborate. Connection leads to Community, Community/Relationship leads to Collaboration, Collaboration leads to INNOVATION which is the CREATIVE force within the community; teamwork will effectively take the Southeast Region Youth Department to the next level.”
Our History
The Southeast Region began under IYD President, Superintendent J. Drew Sheard’s administration. Our First Regional Leaders were Elder Keith A. Kershaw, Regional Director, South Carolina Jurisdiction, serving from 1996-1999 and Mother Rosanna McCullough, Regional Chairlady, Soutwestern Florida Jurisdiction, serving from 1996 –2004.
In 2000, IYD VP, Elder Derrick W. Hutchins II was selected and appointed as our Second Regional President and served faithfully for 20 years. During his tenure as Regional President, Evangelist Sheila Mosley, Evangelist Shavon Sellers-Smith, IYD Asst. Chairlady, Dr. Lawanne’ Grant, and Dr. Anntwanique Edwards served alongside him as Regional Chairlady.
In the Summer of 2021, Elder Bruce T. Howard, Northern GA Second Jurisdiction and Evangelist Tarsha Jefferson, South Carolina Jurisdiction, were appointed to serve as Regional President and Regional Chairlady.
Currently, the region consists of the Jurisdictions in the States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The Southeast Region better known as “THE BIG SOUTHEAST”, bands together to ignite a flame of passion for intense training, development, and spiritual empowerment for children, teens, college students, young adults, and youth leaders.
WE'RE HERE TO SERVE you(th).
GET TO KNOW YOUR REGIONAL YOUTH LEADERS
Our
Pastor Bruce T. Howard Jr., is a native of Soperton, GA. He is married to the lovely Mrs. Gabrielle Adeline Howard.
He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child and Family Development from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina and later received a Masters of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, GA. He is employed with Dublin City Schools as a Mental Health Coordinator.
Among his many distinctions, he is a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Pi Eta Lambda Chapter, Dublin, GA. Pastor Bruce accepted the call to ministry in the fall of 2008, and later received his licenses to minister the gospel on May 2, 2010, and, shortly after ordained as an Elder on July 26, 2014. He currently serves as Senior Pastor of Jordan Grove Church of God in Christ, East Dublin, GA, Regional President of Southeast Region Youth Department, and Jurisdictional Youth President of Northern Georgia Second Jurisdictional Youth Department within the Church of God in Christ, inc.
Our Chair
Lady Tarsha Jefferson is the First Lady of All Nations COGIC, Columbia, South Carolina, where she serves alongside her husband, Senior Pastor, Bishop Nate’ M. Jefferson. In 2017, Lady Jefferson was appointed the Regional Chairlady of the International (Foreign) Region of the Church of God in Christ, which consisted of over 70 foreign countries by International Youth President, Dr. Benjamin Stevens and International Chairlady, Evangelist Joyce Rodgers. In 2018, Lady Jefferson was also appointed as the South Carolina Jurisdiction Youth Department Chairlady and In 2021, she became the Regional Chairlady for the Southeast Region.
Her exciting, yet life-changing impartations are uplifting, power-packed, and very evident that her heart is filled with an astounding yes to the assignment that the Lord has entrusted to her. As she strategically hosts & offers priceless resources and experiences, she is careful to assure that the lives of these women are forever changed for the better. Together, Bishop and Lady Jefferson are rearing three beautiful children, Talysha, Chase, and Lauryn.
Lady Tarsha is a holy, righteous, virtuous vessel for the Lord, and a radical praiser whose life is best characterized by this scripture: “Oh bless our God ye people and make the voice of his praise to be heard.” -Psalm 66:8