Robert L. Bailey Commissioned Director of Youth and Discipleship
Cleveland, TN–Rev. Robert “Rob” Bailey, elected as the Assistant Director of International Youth and Discipleship for the Church of God in 2016, was officially installed in the director’s role during a commissioning ceremony on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. The brief ceremony took place as a Special Order of the Day during the regular monthly meeting of the International Executive Committee.
Bailey assumes the role following the unexpected death of Director Dr. David C. Blair, who passed away following a brief illness on March 21, 2021. The commissioning prayer was led by General Overseer Tim Hill who was joined by members of the Executive Committee, coordinators in the Department of Youth and Discipleship Randall Parris and Mark Swank, and Mark Leonhardt, chairman of the board of Youth and Discipleship. Other members of the board joined the ceremony electronically via Zoom.
General Overseer Tim Hill leads a prayer of blessing over Rob and Christal Bailey. L-R: Randall Parris, David Ramirez, Raymond Culpepper, Christal Bailey, Rob Bailey, Tim Hill, Mark Leonhardt, John Childers, J. David Stephens, Mark Swank (click image to enlarge)
Bailey has served as State Youth and Discipleship Director for Church of God congregations in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and South Carolina. He has also served the local church as a lead pastor, associate pastor, worship leader and youth pastor. Bailey has served on numerous committees in the Church of God, including as a board member for International Youth and Christian Education, International Discipleship Division, and National Youth Leaders Association.
“Rob Bailey’s commitment to the youth of the Church of God has been exemplified through his years of proven leadership and dedication to the Jeremiah Generation,” stated General Overseer Timothy M. Hill. “I have full confidence in his ability to lead Youth and Discipleship through this very trying period as we continue to mourn the passing of David Blair. Greater days are yet in store for this ministry!”
“I am humbled and honored for the privilege to serve the Lord and His church in this role within the Youth and Discipleship Department,” Bailey said. “The passion, kindness and servant’s heart of David Blair will forever be remembered in my life as well as in the lives of countless people around the world. He will be greatly missed, and we will continue to earnestly pray for his precious family. As we grieve and remember his legacy, we will also strive to continue to press forward with the vision and core values of the International Youth and Discipleship Department. I fully pledge my prayerful support to our Presiding Bishop, Dr. Timothy Hill and the International Executive Committee. The Church of God truly is my tribe and I’m thankful for the leaders within our church who have invested in me over the years. Although my father, Rev. Robert L. Bailey, Sr. passed away several months ago, I’m eternally grateful that he not only entrusted me with my first ministry position, but also instilled within me a great love for the Lord and for the Church of God. I am committed to serve within this role to the best of my ability.”
Bailey proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps and during his time at Lee University, he was a member of Alpha Gamma Chi and the Lee University Singers. He and his wife, Christal, are the parents of four children and four grandchildren.
