Meet Our Dedicated Leaders at The Pointe Church
Our Team
Meet Our Ministry Leaders
Senior Pastor, James Childs
On January 12, 1969, Elder James Childs was appointed pastor of St. Clara Church of God in Christ in Kingston, New York by District Superintendent James L. Best and Bishop O.M. Kelly. His journey to the pulpit began in March 1958 when he found faith and was born again, dedicating his life to Jesus. Over the next ten years, he was prepared for service, serving his country in the military, marrying and starting a family, and developing a deep understanding of God’s word through study at Nyack Missionary College.
Pastor Childs learned valuable lessons during this time, including the importance of faith, prayer, self-esteem, and leadership. Despite feeling inadequate, in 1969, he accepted the pastoral position in Kingston and began his mission to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Under his leadership, the small congregation of less than 10 adult members and several children miraculously acquired land at 150 Murray Street, a secured a contractor, and constructed a new church building all within a period of 18 months. On October 3, 1971, the newly constructed church, Saint Clara, was dedicated “To The Glory of God.” From this new church building, several ministries and significant community outreach were established impacting the Kingston area and creating a fast-growing congregation.
It was 1977 that Elder Childs dropped dead in the pulpit at St. Clara. God then raised him from the dead and allowed him to live on to preach the gospel. His Leadership catalyzed the church to grow both numerically and spiritually, and he was also active in various roles within the Church of God in Christ at the district, state, and national levels.
Ever the visionary, Pastor Childs saw the opportunity for greater impact, breaking ground in 2004 at a new location – 243 Hurley Avenue – in the Spring 2004. With the change of location also came a change in name. St. Clara would now be known as the Pointe of Praise Family Life Center.
Today, he continues to serve as an administrative assistant to Bishop McKinley B. Johnson in the Capital Region Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ. Assuring the success of his God-given ministry, Sr. Pastor Childs is actively mentoring his successors, adding to his legacy by providing his wisdom as he prepares The Pointe for a bright future.
Lead Pastor, Andre D. Lewis
Born in Kingston Jamaica on October 7, 1982 to Earl Lewis and Elizabeth Campbell. Pastor Lewis migrated to the United States on February 3, 1990 and settled in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY. In High School, Pastor Lewis focused on law and public service at Washington Irving High School in Manhattan, NY. His post High School academic path brought him to Albany, where he graduated in 2006 from the University at Albany with a Bachelor of Art degree and a double major in English and Africana Studies. In 2008, Pastor Lewis graduated from the University at Albany with a Master of Arts degree in Africana Studies. On March 20, 2021 Pastor Lewis earned his credentials as a life coach, leadership trainer, and motivational speaker at the International Maxwell Certification Conference.
On September 21, 2008, Pastor Andre D. Lewis founded The Empowerment Center located in Albany, New York following a vision God gave him, along with 12 young adults. During that time, he worked on the managerial team for Trinity Alliance where he serve as the community liaison between the organization and city’s county elected officials.
On September 28, 2022 The Empowerment Center merged with The Pointe of Praise Family Life Center and on July 22, 2023 Andre Lewis was installed as the Lead Pastor of The Pointe of Praise in Kingston, New York.
Pastor Lewis is currently pursuing his Masters of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. In addition to his pastoral duties and academic studies, Pastor Lewis serves on the Kingston School District Leadership Team, Albany District Attorney Community Divergent Board, Kingston Interfaith Counsel, and Ministers Alliance of Ulster County.
Above all Pastor Lewis is passionate about empowering, equipping, and improving the lives of people. He believes that his life’s calling is to help people discover, develop, and deploy their purpose.
Associate Pastor, J.B. Childs
James Brian (J.B.) Childs is a minister, consultant, and facilitator. Speaking across the country in settings ranging from seminars to conferences, James utilizes Biblical principles as he speaks and facilitates learning in the area of diversity, leadership, conflict resolution and mediation. With an extensive background in corporate America, as well as volunteer work with non‑profit organizations, James brings to his ministry a keen understanding of the need for diversity and the awareness of its implications.
His open and often humorous style of communication energizes and challenges audiences as he fosters the “unlearning” of foundational concepts upon which many of society’s problematic interactions are based. His background includes extensive work with adolescent youth in a variety of training and counseling positions, as well as motivational presentations to audiences ranging from college to adults.
James Brian Childs, born November 19, 1964, the third of four children born to James and Dorothy (Neal) Childs, was reared in the City of Kingston, New York where he attended public schools, and graduated in 1982. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from State University of New York at New Paltz in 1986 and graduated in May 2007 with a Master of Divinity in Practical Theology and a Master of Arts in Human Service Counseling from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. J.B. was ordained as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ in 2006.
Even before being called to the spoken Word ministry, James used his God‑given musical talents in service as Minister of Music. He founded and led the contemporary gospel group “Shining Light” and has provided production assistance for various recording projects.
James was appointed as Lead Pastor of Pointe of Praise Family Life Center in November of 2005 and worked closely with and under the tutelage of his father and District Supt. Jim Childs. With a creative, multi‑media approach to ministry, together they forged the realization of a vision to expand and grow a racially and generationally diverse ministry that is inclusive of the many differences that exist in the Greater Kingston and Hudson Valley area.
In 2017, James expanded his ministry and impact into the marketplace, accepting an opportunity to utilize his strengths within the social media giant Facebook (Meta). As a Learning Partner focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, James has spread the message of Christ love throughout the world traveling across the United States and as far as Brazil, London, and Singapore.
J.B. returned to Kingston in the Fall of 2022 and was asked to support and be part of the new ministry team as an Associate Pastor to the Lead Pastor at the Pointe.
Join Us at The Pointe Church
Discover a place where you can grow, connect, and serve. Reach out today to learn more about how you can be a part of our vibrant community.