Apostle Dr. M. Ruel McCoy, Sr., is a dynamic preacher, teacher, and leader known for his dedication to the Lord. With a background in Chemistry and Religion/Philosophy, he serves as a fourth-generation apostolic leader in COOLJC. Apostle McCoy has held key international positions, initiated impactful programs, and overseen significant church growth in Florida. Currently serving as Pastor Emeritus and Senior Pastor in various locations, he is also a retired environmental chemist and co-owner of The Real McCoy Ministries, Inc. Apostle McCoy presides over Region 10 and holds the role of Apostle to Evangelism, alongside his wife, Shepherd Mother Benona Bradley McCoy.
M. Ruel McCoy from Florida
Apostle Dr. M. Ruel McCoy, Sr. is a dedicated, faithful, and humble servant of the Lord who seeks daily to please God and sacrificially serve the Kingdom. He is a dynamic preacher, anointed teacher, spirited evangelist, passionate historian, proven pastor, and accurate prophet. He was born in 1962 in New Smyrna Beach and reared in Daytona Beach, FL. He is the eldest child of the "People's Bishop", the late Bishop Dr. Ruel B. McCoy, DD and "Mother Superior", Mother Susie N. McCoy, EdS. He was educated in the Volusia County District School system and graduated in 1985 from Bethune-Cookman College (now University) with two degrees; a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Religion and Philosophy. Additionally, he has done graduate studies at the Interdenominational Theological Center (MDiv), Liberty Seminary (MA), Reformed Theological Seminary (MS), and W. L. Bonner College. In 2022 he received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity (DD) degree from Saint Thomas Christian University. A fourth-generation apostolic product of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ (COOLJC), he has been involved in public service and ministry all his life. He has the double honor of being the youngest person to ever be elected to state office in the Florida Diocese under the leadership of the late Apostle Henry Ross and the first graduate of the Diocese Children's Convention. He is also distinguished recipient of the Bishop Henry Ross Image Award. Internationally, from 1989-92 he faithfully served as the Chaplain of the Amour Bearer's Young People's Union (ABYPU). From 2007-2010 he served as the Chairman of the International Board of Presbyters (IBOP). From 2014-2017 he served as the International Board of Bishops (IBOB) Chief of Staff. From 2015-2023 served as Director of International Home Missions (IHMD). From 2017-2022 he served as the Vice Chairman for International Board of Bishops (IBOB), and from 2022-2023 he served as Chairman of the International Board of Bishops (IBOB). Some of his crowning ministry achievements have included as Chairman of the IBOP the initiation of a P.R.O.P.H.E.T. (Presbyter’s Receiving Ongoing Professional Help and Ecclesiastical Training) fund. This fund allocates financial aid to churches nationwide for expansion, renovation, evangelism and various forms of development. He also authored an Apostolic Church Management Manual, a Ministerial Training Manual, and developed a Digital Interactive Catechism PowerPoint Exam. Domestically, he has served as Corresponding Secretary and Assistant Pastor to Apostle Henry Ross, Sr. and Executive Assistant to Regional Apostle Gentle L. Groover, Sr. He also served as the 1st President of the Bishop Henry Ross Bible Institute (BHRBI), and 1st Chairman of the Florida Region Board of Trustees. From 2010 to 2023 he served as Diocesan Bishop of the Florida Ecclesiastical Diocese (COOLJC) overseeing Churches and Schools in: Orlando, Sorrento, Gainesville, Webster, Sanford and Daytona Beach. Under his leadership each church in the diocese has been renovated and one church was built from the ground. He also implemented a diocese strategic plan called “STRETCH” for increased evangelism, membership and finances. The progressive plan has yielded exponential spiritual and financial growth for domestic and international outreach. Apostle McCoy currently serves as Pastor Emeritus of the Greater Refuge Memorial COOLJC in Orlando, FL and Senior Pastor of the Straightway Church of Christ of New Haven, CT. Since taking the pastorate in 2015 the church has been renovated, installed a new roof, a/c units, and increased membership. He also serves as Pastor of the City of Refuge Mission in Daytona Beach, FL. and Chaplain for Victory Global Academy (VGA), an educational resource center offering After School, Summer, Spring Break and Winter Global Academies of Excellence. The mission of VGA is to close achievement and opportunity gaps through the use of a multi-lingual, multi-literate, and multicultural curriculum designed to strengthen academic performance in math, global languages and language arts, while highlighting cultural competency as a pathway to academic attainment and world peace. For the past two years VGA has remained actively involved in public awareness campaigns both domestically and internationally. Campaigns have included a focus on the Russia and Ukraine crisis, voting rights, social justice, equitable access and education regarding Covid 19 vaccine for children in under-resourced communities, environmentalism and global development. He has led VGA students to the Dominican Republic for the delivery of relief aid to an orphanage, nursing home and refugee camp. Apostle McCoy is a retired environmental chemist and high school educator of the Volusia County District Schools. He also is Co-owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Real McCoy Ministries (TRM), Inc. Apostle McCoy serves as the presiding prelate of Region 10 and Apostle to Evangelism. He and his lovely wife, Shepherd Mother Benona Bradley McCoy, are the proud parents of three blessed Holy Ghost filled children, Marcus, Jr., Michael, Sr., and Markeya; two daughter-in-loves, Christine and Susan, and four grandchildren; Eva, Josiah, Michael, Jr. and Mario. Apostle M. Ruel McCoy overseas the following regions:FloridaFlorida-CentralFlorida-EvangelicalEurope/EnglandMexicoSouth America