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VERNON KING, JR.
Vernon has served kids, teens, young adults and their families for the past 15 years as the Founder and Director of The Motivating Youth Company, Pastor of Youth & NexGen Ministries, and as a Child and Adolescent Family Counselor.
Vernon obtained his bachelor's from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Ks. Then obtained his Masters and Certification in Child and Adolescent Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Currently Vernon is pursuing his doctorate of Educational Psychology and Technology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology located in Dallas, Tx.
Recently Vernon wrote a book titled, The Intimacy and Sex Conversation, partnering with the international television ministry TBN, to equip and encourage parents towards having these vital conversations with their children from a biblical worldview.
Vernon is a Texas native from the U.S. and father to his viral sensation and talented daughter, Harlyn King!
| HOMETOWN & BACKGROUND |
Vernon was born and raised in Dallas, Tx. Graduating from Duncanville High school in 2009. Vernon attended, Sudie L Williams elementary in Dallas, then transferred to Alexander elementary in 3rd grade in Duncanville, TX. In 2009 Vernon graduated from Duncanville High School academically ranked in the top 20% of his class. During his Junior year, Vernon was voted in as Senior Class President and made a huge impact in the role. Vernon led the morning announcements, planned school dances, lunch celebrations, senior activities, and unified the student body in a special way that many still remember today! Currently, Vernon lives in Dallas, TX with his daughter Harlyn (@harlynpooh on Instagram) near his huge family of parents, aunts, cousins, uncles, and friends!
| FATHERHOOD |
Vernon is the proud father to Harlyn King (@Harlynpooh on Instagram). Today, Harlyn is a viral sensation and has thousands of followers on her social accounts. For fun, Vernon and Harlyn loves going to the movies, dancing, singing, and talking about Jesus (If you know, you know :) Vernon believes that one of the greatest gifts of life is to love and care for someone that God specifically designed for you to raise! Many people would say that Vernon has many children throughout his time as a Youth and NexGen Pastor, but there is one that has him wrapped around his finger FOREVER! See more about Vernon and Harlyn by visiting their Instagram pages.
(Vernon's Instagram is @vernonkingjr, Harlyn's Instagram is @Harlynpooh)
(CLICK THE VIDEO TO WATCH VERNON AND HARLYN ON THE NEWS)
| UNDERGRAD EDUCATION |
Following high school graduation, Vernon decided to study for his undergrad at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Ks. Before graduating in 2013 with his bachelors in communications, public relations, Vernon started a successful business called, The Motivating Youth Company (MYC)
One day following the morning announcements that Vernon led at Duncanville high School a lady by the name of Lindsey Minor approached Vernon and asked if he knew where he would be attending college, after responding that he was not too sure, Lindsey gave Vernon an award winning presentation which ultimately led to Vernon attending the university. For the 1st three years Vernon served as an admission tour guide and then intern for the Natural History Sternberg Museum all while starting his business The Motivating Youth Company.
| The Motivating Youth Company |
The Motivating Youth Company began with the vision of Vernon King to start an organization that parents and school districts would trust to impact their children/students to become top leaders in their communities. Originally MYC offered top tier motivational speakers for school assemblies and conferences in the community. Now, MYC hires college interns, offers tutoring for secondary education students, and provides therapy for adolescent teens. MYC is also is one of the top organizations that offers a hands on approach in helping seniors in high school prepare for their higher education journey!
| LICENSED MINISTER / PASTOR |
For over 17 years, Vernon has dedicated his life to preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ with passion and purpose. His ministry journey began as a youth pastor at his uncle’s church, where he faithfully led and discipled students on a weekly basis. While attending college, Vernon continued to impact the next generation by serving in the children’s and youth ministries at Westview Church of Hays during his freshman and sophomore years.
During his junior and senior years, he interned with the Encounter college ministry at Celebration Community Church in Hays, Kansas, further deepening his heart for young adults. In 2015, after speaking at the KAGE Youth Conference at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship (OCBF) in Dallas, Vernon was invited by Dr. Tony Evans to serve as the church’s Youth Pastor and Director.
Following a season of prayer, Vernon accepted the role and faithfully led both the youth and college ministries at OCBF, overseeing volunteers, staff, and spiritual programming. He served in this role from 2015 to 2021, continuing to equip the next generation to live boldly for Christ.
| M.A and Certified Child & Adolescent Psychology | Ed.D. Educational Psychology and Technology (sdt) |
During Vernon's undergrad at Fort Hays State university, Vernon learned how to reach and engage people groups through conversations, mass media and other methods to draw them towards a particular event or product, based on the their needs and interests. Vernon then met a Pastor in the community that understood the impact people with his educational background, personality, interests and faith could have on individuals who not only had a physical or spiritual need but a mental need as well.
Later on, Vernon served as a kids, youth and young adults pastor and that’s where he was introduced to the vast audience of those in equal need of spiritual, physical and mental health. Vernon often times referred families to LPC’s or professional psychotherapists in the community.
In 2015 Vernon met with a family that asked for biblical counseling and guidance on how to
forgive someone so that they wouldn't be so angry at the person all the time. Of course scripture
helps us understand that forgiveness and mediation through prayer is a positive and practical
spiritual method for that. But Vernon could tell that their issues were a little more deeply rooted than just a spiritual issue. Vernon could tell that this family had gone through something traumatic which birthed some deeply rooted mental issues as well. Vernon could tell they hadn’t properly grieved or processed the loss thoroughly which led to a grieving hardened heart.
Vernon, began seeking more knowledge regarding the brain and how the body and brain functions following traumatic events and that is when he learned about The Chicago school of professional counseling. Vernon loves working with diverse families and individuals through ministry and aiding them beyond their spiritual needs, but also encouraging them to be in tune with their mental health as well.
"I believe that while humanity is richly diverse—shaped by varying cultural backgrounds, philosophies, religious beliefs, and individual life experiences—there are also fundamental commonalities that unite us. As human beings, we all possess a mind, a body, and a soul, each of which requires ongoing care and attention. Nurturing these aspects of ourselves is essential in navigating the challenges, traumas, and spiritual trials we encounter throughout life."
- Vernon King, 2016
(Child and Adolescent - Cognitive Development Seminar)
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| AUTHOR |
Over the past 20+ years of pastoring and counseling kids, teens, young adults, and their families Vernon and his team have created a guide for parents on the topics of intimacy and sex. After organizing multiple sexual behavior programs, purity events, surveys, and focus groups within the millennial, gen-z, and gen-alpha communities, Vernon and his team combined insightful data and strategies to help parents share these topics thoroughly and effectively with their children.
Vernon’s heart and passion for this book originate from over 20+ years of working within the Millennial, Generation-Z and now Generation-A groups. Vernon believes that the time is now for parents to begin talking to their children about intimacy and sex earlier and more strategically than ever before. A quote from Vernon that you will read a few times in this book says, “If you haven’t begun discussing intimacy and sex with your children, keep in mind that the world already has.” - Vernon King (The intimacy and Sex Conversation, Pg. 18.)
| Coca-Cola scholar Alumni (2009 inductee year) |
In 2009, Vernon was honored to be selected as one of only 12 students in the state of Texas to receive the prestigious Coca-Cola Scholars award, a nationally recognized scholarship program that attracts over 50,000 applicants each year. Out of those applicants, Vernon was chosen as one of 250 national finalists. With the support and guidance of his high school counselor, Diane Gawedzinski, Vernon earned a $10,000 scholarship to help fund his education at Fort Hays State University. As part of the Coca-Cola Scholars experience, he was flown to Atlanta for a weekend of leadership development, networking opportunities, and community-building events. Vernon continues to stay connected with fellow scholars and actively gives back to the program by conducting interviews for prospective Coca-Cola Scholars each year.