Born April 17, in Charleston, South Carolina, to proud parents Albert (deceased) and Rose Coakley, Kevin Coakley began the journey “Who Am I?” He is married to the enchanting and lovely Mrs. Lashundra Denise Coakley, his partner in ministry and in life. For over eighteen years they have served together as a team. Currently, Rev. Coakley serves the amazing congregation, The Durham Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Buffalo, New York. Their lives have been richly and “Internationally” blessed since joining the North Eastern Episcopal District and Western New York Conference under the headship of Bishop Dennis Vernon Proctor and Missionary Supervisor D. Diane Proctor.

Rev. Kevin Coakley began his preaching ministry (20+) twenty years ago. He matriculated in the offices of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church through four years of successful conference courses of study. Upon completion of the conference study, Bishop Joseph Johnson advanced him to the office of Deacon, and there he was ordained. Then, the Lord impressed upon the authority of the Late Bishop Clarence Carr to elevate him to the office of Elder.
 
Christian and Secular Education inspired him as a young boy growing up. Rev. Coakley knew he was destined to be a preacher and schoolteacher. He would preach in their home when no one was looking, and would teach his imaginary students mimicking one of the best African American female teachers, Mrs. Duncan-who inspired him to become a teacher by modeling what it meant to be an educator. As they say, “the rest is history”.
 
An advocate of education, he is a graduate of Wando High School, Mount Pleasant (Charleston County), South Carolina, Antioch University, Seattle, Washington, and Belhaven University, Memphis, Tennessee. He holds a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and Secondary English Education and Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction. Currently, he is pursuing an Education Specialist degree with aspiration to continue the completion of his Doctorate of Education. Kevin is a student of the Word of God in personal and private study and has studied two years at Memphis Theological Seminary ATS accredited. In short, education is high priority.
 
Habakkak 2:2-3 declares, “And the Lord answered me, and said, write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay!
 
The Reverend Kevin D. Coakley is a young man with a vision! One who carries his audience on a spiritual journey through the Word of the Lord. The Lord has anointed him a charismatic, progressively semi-seasoned, trained, Holy Ghost led and filled preacher, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ through the land.
 
Excellent managerial, communicable, and professional skills are a must. Of the many attributes there are, he is a man of character, honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, and of respectability.
 
There are other gifts that the Lord has blessed him with. As a musician, he is an organist, singer, and director, in short very musically endowed.
 
His passion, you ask? As a preacher, Kevin aims to strengthen each person's confidence and joy in Jesus Christ- at every point in their life, and encourage personal and spiritual growth through prayer, and active service in the church and community.
 
With a Kingdom mindset, his mission is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through discipleship and love for our brothers and sisters as recorded in John 13:35. Elder Coakley puts his faith into practice by living the life, preaching to the unsaved, and teaching the saved to serve by fulfilling the Christian mandate, “Making Credible Christian Disciples”. Matthew 18:16-20.
 
He has purposed to spread the gospel news of Christ Jesus through the word of God, worship and praise, and outreach missions.
 
Jeremiah 29:11 declares, “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”