The Church of the Living God,
the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Inc.

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NATIONAL H.Y.P.A.
Holiness Young People's Auxiliary

BRIEF HISTORY

It was in the 1940s that Bishop Felix E. Lewis , Chief Overseer, and Bishop C.D. Braddy and S.M. Jewell discussed the matter of establishing an annual assembly for the youth of the church. Around November, 1948, the first Holiness Young People's Assembly was held in Gainesville, Florida. One of the most memorable of the Young People's Assemblies was held in St. Augustine, Florida in the early 1960s with Bishop Felix E. Lewis, Chief Overseer, presiding. Each local band of the church was encouraged by Bishop Helen M. Lewis (who at the time was the Assistant Chief Overseer) to participate on a larger scale to help build and promote the Young People's Assembly both spiritually and financially. As an incentive, she emphasized that the band which achieved the highest recognition in these areas would receive a beautifully hand-painted portrait of Mother Mary Lena Tate, Founder and First Chief Overseer of the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Inc. The artist was Mrs. Ineria Hudnell, well-known historian and art instructor in the Palm Beaches. The recipient was none other than Elder Mildred E. Milton, Pastor at Crystal River, Florida! The portrait was well received by Elder Milton and remained in the possession of the local church for many years after the award-winning assembly. Since the initial assemblies, the primary focus of the HYPA has been on youth. Older members of the church have focused their attention to the SMMA (St. Mary Magdalena Auxiliary, named after the Founder). By Rev. Marguerite E.B. Redding, November 22, 1995.


CONCEPTION

The Holiness Young People's Auxiliary (HYPA), the youth organization of the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Inc., was conceived as a means of providing for the participation of the youth in leadership roles in church activities and affairs. It also provides a means of bringing the young people together in an assembly with the general officers in which they can display their talents and other spiritual gifts in meaningful ways. The Auxiliary is composed of single people twenty-five years of age and under. The HYPA's National Youth Congress is held anually during the Thanksgiving holiday season (children are usually out of school at that time) and is located in different cities throughout the country.

Major Activities

HYPA YOUTH CONGRESS

The purpose of the HYPA is to build high standards of christian character among youth in general and especially among church youth; to develop and nurture potential church leadership ability; and to help mold sensitive young people who, by the conduct of their lives, are good examples of the Holiness Faith. It is anticipated that these positive traits will not only find adequate expression in the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Inc., but also in the community and world society in which we live.
The HYPA Youth Congress is a very high-paced and action-oriented national affair providing for student participation in structured rules of order, seminars with a wide range of national and international speakers and seminar leaders, educational field trips and tours to some of the outstanding landmarks in the country, and individual input and participation in spelling bees, oratorical contests, and various talent programs. National officers, site location, and seminar speakers and topics are selected during the Congress. Held Wednesday through Sunday morning of the Thanksgiving holidays, the Youth Congress activities involve a wide range of venues in which the participants can participate, grow, and develop their talents.

LOCAL CHAPTER ACTIVITIES

Each city in which branches of the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Inc. are located may establih an "HYPA Local Chapter in accordance with the bylaws of the Auxiliary. Local chapters of the HYPA develop programs that are outstanding and reflect very highly on the Beauty of Holiness. These programs involve leadership, outreach, fund-raising, and demonstration activities. Young church members are encouraged to become active in wholesome community projects, to carefully observe the democratic process in action, and to participate where appropriate.

INTER-CHURCH ACTIVITIES

The HYPA is encouraged to solicit and instigate programs which will involve other churches of similar beliefs and background and to work cooperatively with them in the development of goals and programs which will further promote and enhance the objectives of true Holiness. To this end, the HYPA eagerly seeks other youth and organizations to join in our efforts (see Contacts below).

HYPA Commissions:

Elementary School and Early Youth Affairs (ELEM)

Generally composed of elementary and middle school-aged children
Little Mr. & Ms. HYPA Pageant, puzzle contests, arts and crafts displays

Secondary School Affairs (SSAF)

Generally, high-school aged young people
Talent Panorama, oratoricals, young ministers-in-training, spelling contests, arts and crafts

Post Secondary School Affairs (PSSA)

College-aged young adults
Talent Panorama, oratoricals, young ministers-in-training, outreach ministries, foreign youth ministries

Membership Commission (MEMB)

All HYPA ages and commissions
Membership outreach and recruitment

Finances Commission (FINA)

All HYPA ages and commissions
Finances development and stewardship

Policies and Activities Commission (PAAC)

All HYPA ages and commissions
Programs development, talent search, systems analysis, leadership development

Past Assemblies:

1959/60, Jacksonville (Cosmo), FL, "Decency and Order."
1975 Ocala, FL; Chicago, IL; NJ (Local chapters met in area "Wings"), "Homosexuality, Marriage, Abortion, Sobriety," "How to have a Happy Home."
1976, Florida, Wisconsin/Illinois, New Jersey, Alabama/Mississippi (wings) "Youth on the Move for Jesus."
1977 Jacksonville, Ocala, FL; Egg Harbor, NJ; Joliet, IL; Carthage, MS, "Study to show thyself approved unto God...,(II Timothy 2:15).
1979, Carthage, MS; Joliet, IL, Egg Harbor, NJ; Gainesville, FL, "Temporal Activies--Can I Participate?"
1980, Illinois, New Jersey, Arlington, FL, E. Jacksonville, FL; Tuskegee, AL, Carthage, MS, "And the remnant that is escaped of the House of Judah shall yet again take root downward and bear fruit upward," (II Kings 19:30).
1981, Illinois, New Jersey, Alabama/Mississippi, "Flee Youthful Lusts," (II Timothy 2:22).
1982, Illinois, New Jersey, Alabama/Mississippi, Florida, "Behold all souls are mine," (Ezekial 18:4).
1983, West Palm Beach, FL; New Jersey, Illinois, Mississippi, "Help Me Lift Jesus," (St. John 12:32).
1984, Mississippi/Alabama (Carthage, MS), Illinois/Wisconsin, Jacksonville (East and Arlington), FL, Bridgeton, Egg Harbor, NJ, "Perilous Times," (II Timothy 3:1).
1985, Carthage, MS/Tuskegee, AL, Chicago, Joliet, IL, Bridgeton, Egg Harbor, NJ, Gainesville, FL, "If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me," (St. John 12:32).
1986, Carthage, MS, Joliet, Chicago, IL, Bridgeton, NJ, Jacksonville (Arlington, Cosmo), FL, "Unity!" (Psalms 133:1).
1987, Carthage, MS, Chicago, Joliet, IL, Bridgeton, NJ, Wesst Palm Beach, FL, "Why Stand Ye Here all the day idle?" (St. Matthew 20:7).
1988, Carthage, MS, Joliet, Chicago, IL, Bridgeton, NJ, Atlanta, GA (Peachtree Centre), "If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me," (St. John 12:32).
1989 Carthage, MS, Atlanta, GA, (Only two Wings), "Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth," (Ecclesiastes 12:1).
1990, Chicago, IL (Hampton Inn) , (All local chapers meet in a single Assembly) "VISIONS,".
1991, St. Augustine, FL (Howard Johnson Inn, San Marco), "The Old versus The New," (Haggai 2:3).
1992, Washington, DC (Master Hosts Inn), "Becoming a Wise Master Builder," (I Corinthians 3:10).
1993, Millville, NJ (Millville Motor Inn), "God in our Past, Present and Future," (Ecclesiastes 3:15).
1994, Tuskegee, AL (Kellogg Conference Center, "In God We Trust," (Psalms 33:21).
1995, Greater West Palm Beach, FL, (Comfort Inn, JFK Middle School), "Making A Difference," (Leviticus 10:10).
1996, Durham, NC, (Omni Durham Hotel & Durham Civic Center), "Youth on Fire for Christ," (St. Luke 12:49).
1997, St. Louis, MO, (Best Western Inn at the Park), "No Negotiation, No Compromise, No Surrender!"
1998, Grenada, MS, (Days Inn), "The Holy Ghost Thermometer."
1999, Chattanooga, TN, (The Chattanooga Choo-Choo), "Working on the Building," (Nehemiah 6:3).
2000, Jacksonville, FL, (Ramada Inn, Mandarin), "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God," (Matthew 5:8).
2001, Ocala, FL, (Ramada Inn, Ocala, FL), "Beauty in Holiness: Holiness in Beauty" (Psalms 96:9).
2002, Toledo, OH, (Days Inn, Toledo) "Where Faith Meets Reality"
2003, Montgomery, AL (Holiday Inn,Montgomery) "I Can, I Shall, I Will" (Phil. 4:13 & Psalms 116:13).
2004, Durham, NC (Hilton Hotel, Durham), "Arise and Arrive in 2005" (Neh. 2:20; Isa. 60:1; Mark 2:11; Luke 7:14, 8:54; Acts 9:40).
2005, Atlanta, GA (Omni Hotel at CNN), "JOY in the Morning!" (Psa. 30:5).
2006, West Palm Beach, FL (Comfort Inn & Suites), "His Banner Over Me Is Love!" (Sol. 2:4).
2007, Memphis, TN (Hilton Memphis), "The Bright and Morning Star" (Rev. 22:16).