is known by many around the world as Commander Kellie. Significantly influenced by her parents, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Kellie readily received the vision to create the fearless and faith-filled character of Commander Kellie to help children understand and live biblical principles.
Her vision began in 1986 as God poured into her a passion and firm belief that children can be capable, anointed ministers of the gospel. She realized that the bigness of the Spirit of God resides inside even the smallest of children. Out of that vision, the concept of Superkid Academy was born. It would be a place to train up and fully equip children, and turn them into Superkids! The Superkid motto became "Ordinary kids, doing extraordinary things through the power of God's Word!"
In 1987, Commander Kellie and the Superkids series began to spread the news with the release of their first product, a cassette tape with songs and stories proclaiming the Superkid message. Through the years, many products followed that have enabled her to reach children worldwide through movies, music CDs, magazines and books.
Superkid Academy became a real place in 1993 at Eagle Mountain International Church when Commander Kellie was joined by Dana and Linda Johnson as co-commanders. Together they stepped into the next phase of Superkid Academy and developed step-by-step training on how to become a Superkid. They have a strong ministry and friendship bond to this day as they still pray and seek God together as co-authors of the new Superkid Academy educational curriculum. This material is designed to help word-of-faith churches reach the children in their communities.
Kellie became a senior pastor at Eagle Mountain in 2003 overseeing the children and youth departments and served in that capacity through 2009. She is currently an executive at Kenneth Copeland Ministries, while continuing to direct children and youth ministries at KCM, where she also ministers alongside her husband, Dr. Stephen Lowell Swisher. Through their ministry Kellie and Steve fulfill the mission of drawing people of all ages into a personal, growing and powerful relationship with Jesus Christ. They have four children: Rachel who is married to Caleb Mayer, Lyndsey, Jenny and Max. They reside in Fort Worth, Texas.
Kellie Copeland Swisher-commander, pastor, author, recording artist and anointed wife and mother.
have been involved in children's ministry since 1985. Describing the early years as children's pastors in a small church in Santa Rosa, Calif., Dana says, "Those were some of the greatest years, but I am thankful that I didn't know how much I didn't know!" The search for material that was relevant and biblically sound seemed hopeless. Dana and Linda dreamed of having both music and curriculum that would enable children to experience a God that is real, reachable, and most of all, FUN!
While attending a Kenneth Copeland Ministries' Believers' Convention in Anaheim, Calif., in 1988, they heard about a new concept called "Superkid Academy." At the time, this was merely a story and song recording offered on cassette tape. The Johnsons purchased a copy and listened to it as they made the drive home. Out of the blue, God spoke clearly to them: "You are going to make Superkid Academy a real place." In 1989, with a word from God and a vision that children could actually be ministers of the gospel, Dana and Linda moved their family from northern California to Fort Worth, Texas.
Superkid Academy did indeed become a real place at Eagle Mountain International Church in January 1993. With the Johnsons serving as children's pastors, the next 10 years saw scores of "Superkids" develop into great ministers of the gospel. Teaming up with Kellie Copeland Swisher, Superkid Academy now had three commanders-Kellie, Dana and Linda. Watching what God could do in young lives when ministry training and opportunities were offered, it was evident to these three that others needed what they had discovered and experienced.
Dana and Linda stepped into their own ministry in 2002 with a desire to equip the saints with the tools they needed to successfully minister to children. Dana has written dozens of songs designed especially for children's praise and worship services, and has produced multiple children's music projects, including one in the Russian language.
An interesting road lay ahead of them, and it became evident that God had a plan. As Dana put it, "In the months after we resigned our position at Eagle Mountain, God drew us even closer to Commander Kellie and the leadership at KCM. He has blessed us with a family relationship and a clear assignment."
Dana and Linda know what it's like trying to find quality children's curriculum, and understand how frustrating the search can be. "Finding one that fit what we wanted our kids to experience at Superkid Academy was a disappointing search," Dana said. After years of writing their own curriculum, the Johnsons, along with their daughter, Jenni, have teamed up with Commander Kellie and Kenneth Copeland Ministries to produce a children's curriculum that will equip children and leaders alike.
They are now ready to offer Superkid Academy to the Body of Christ. Get ready for your children to experience something special from God!
and the Stephenson family visited Eagle Mountain International Church for the first time in the fall of 1996. They knew God had called them to EMIC and to the mission at Kenneth Copeland Ministries.
As the mother of a young daughter, Kim knew the importance of partnership in the spiritual development of her child and began serving the children and families of EMIC in 1997. In September of 1998 EMIC hosted 30 Days of Glory and after attending every meeting, Kim's family would never be the same. During 30 Days of Glory in 1999, God directed Kim to volunteer her time in all the nightly children's services and an anointing and mission was birthed on the inside of her. She had caught the vision of Superkid Academy.
Little did she know that seed would open the door wide for what God was about to roll out for her. In 2000, Kim joined the children's staff of EMIC under the leadership of Commanders Dana and Linda Johnson. Over the next two years the vision became clear as she saw her own Superkid growing spiritually in what was being taught at Superkid Academy. In 2004, in her new role as Lt. Commander, she began working daily with Commander Kellie and a covenant friendship was born. She has become vital in the development of the Superkid Academy program. Kim loves to see Superkids trained to know who they are in Christ and become the extraordinary person He created them to be. She believes church should be a safe place where children can learn the Word and apply it to their everyday lives, while having fun! She is gifted with leading children into the presence of God through prayer and teaching. For Kim, Superkid Academy is "a place where children learn to hear the voice of God and find their calling at an early age."
Through the years, Lt. Commander Kim has served in all areas and aspects of Student Ministries-from teaching in classrooms, writing curriculum, training volunteers, to teaching seminars. She currently serves as Manager of Student Ministries at EMIC, overseeing children from birth through 12th grade.
Kim and her husband, Riley, have two children and have seen firsthand the fruit of what Superkid Academy is all about through their daughter Kiley. Now a teenager, Kiley is still a Superkid at heart and has taken the mantle and is serving as a mighty leader in SKA. Their youngest daughter, Katie Grace, has just entered Superkid Academy, and they are excited to see this next generation Superkid emerge! After 20 plus years of marriage and 13 years at EMIC, Riley and Kim are blessed and grateful for the goodness of God!
At age 12,
began helping her parents, Dana and Linda Johnson, who were volunteer children's pastors for a small church in Northern California. And so her adventure in children's ministry began: she just didn't know it!
As a teenager, Jenni fell in love with ministry and spent two summers on the mission field, and also led "See You at the Pole" school prayer events. After a roller coaster of twists and turns in her family adventure with God, she found herself volunteering at the very first Superkid Academy service, in 1993. The excitement was unforgettable, and she knew God was starting something very special.
The moment high school was over, Jenni jumped at the opportunity to work for EMIC/Superkid Academy while attending college and Bible school. During this time she also served as a healing minister at EMIC's weekly "Healing School." On a weekly basis, her main tasks for SKA consisted of service planning and scheduling, and training more than 100 volunteers. It was an invaluable learning time, which she likens to getting her degree in children's ministry. Although she never planned to be a children's minister, Jenni kept working for Superkid Academy. All she knew was that she was having the time of her life impacting kids for Jesus, so why on earth would she quit? After more than 20 years of ministry, she is still having the time of her life!
Many people think God only calls people into ministry who can preach. Not so! God is a smart fisherman and He knows that different kinds of fish require different kinds of bait. Some people may not respond to teaching; but a song, drama, or dance may touch their hearts. So, our smart God is on the lookout for all different kinds of "heart bait"! Teachers, singers, actors, writers, organizers. Jenni's biggest thrill is to show kids that God has a great plan to use their gifts, no matter what they are! And He's not just looking for talent, He's looking for heart. That is probably the biggest seed she has sown personally into children: the revelation that whatever they have to give (even if all they think they have is a willing heart) God can use in an amazing way.
You might call Jenni "creative-arts bait." Her experience spans a variety of the arts. Creative writing was her springboard into the dramatic field. From there she attended several years of acting classes, performed in musicals, and currently writes and directs dramas for children and young adults. At the KCM Believers' Conventions, she acts as stage director/service coordinator for Superkid Academy.
Although Jenni had drama experience, she stumbled into the dance field. In a brainstorming session for a new convention segment, she had the idea for a dance segment in which kids could learn a cool Christian hip-hop dance. The only catch was she didn't know a dancer to choreograph and teach "Get Up and Dance." So, Tag-she was it! With absolutely no experience, it was the perfect opportunity for Jenni to learn how to trust God entirely, for creative ideas, instead of talent or experience. With His help, she learned to dance and choreograph, and eventually founded Superkid Academy's Performance Dance Team, RK3, proving that God certainly has a sense of humor!
That is something Jenni wants anyone who uses the Superkid Academy curriculum to see, too. Many years ago, God let their team in on a key to ministry: Children love to laugh and have fun, and joy breaks down barriers in hearts. Time and again they've seen this to be true. Make church a fun place, and kids' hearts will be ready to receive from God when the time is right. That is why humor and fun play such a large part in their weekly lessons. It isn't merely to fill time, or keep the kids from rioting.
Her hope is to help equip children's ministers everywhere with the "heart bait" they need to catch as many children as possible for the kingdom of God. Jenni says, "Think of this curriculum as your ministry "tackle box" and have fun fishing. Remember, the thrill is in the pursuit! And this time, instead of getting discouraged if a kid doesn't take the bait right away, you won't give up because you know a secret: Some of the best catches are the tough ones!"
has been actively involved in children's ministry since she was a child, ministering in Superkid Academy and other children's ministries across the nation. As a graduate of Oral Roberts University with a Bachelor of Science in Drama/Television/Film, she currently ministers as an actor, writer, director and singer. Along with her mother, cousin and sisters, she sings in a bluegrass group called Strand of Pearls. Lyndsey recently made her principal film debut as Sarah in "The Rally." Using all media available to bring children closer to the Lord Jesus has been a lifelong passion for her. She believes that children are to be truly extraordinary like Jesus' admonition in John 14 and do "greater works" than He did. She aspires to see each generation of Superkids become stronger in the Word than the previous.