former presiding bishops of cogic

Jurisdictions are set up similar to the national church in terms of composition, polity, and procedure. As founder and CEO of Save Africas Children, a program of the Pan African Childrens Fund, he helps to support more than 200,000 children in 400 orphan care programs throughout more than 23 nations on the continent of Africa. [15], COGIC originated among African Americans in the Southern states of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. As a compassionate advocate for the advancement of Gods Kingdom, he is committed to accomplishing Gods agenda as both a leader and a laborer, reaping a harvest of souls. Today COGIC operates the All Saints Bible College in Memphis, the C. H. Mason system of bible colleges, and the C. H. Mason Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. [47] COGIC regards homosexuality, infidelity, and any other forms of sexual immorality that does not agree with Biblical scripture as sinful. In 1984 and 1988 respectively, Rev. In 1968, Two sanitation workers who were also COGIC members, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, were crushed to death in a garbage compactor where they were taking shelter from the rain. Owens outlined a progressive plan to position the COGIC for ministry in the twenty-first century, known as "Vision 2000 and Beyond." His testimony "literally went viral, and brought upon him criticism and sardonicism. Bishop Charles E. Blake, as the Presiding Bishop of the COGIC from the late 2000s up to the 2010s, was also dedicated to increasing and maintaining stable ecumenical relationships from the COGIC with other diverse Christian denominations, most notably Pentecostal/Charismatic churches, Baptist churches, African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Churches, and A.M.E. Zion churches, and even some non-denominational Christian ministries for the purposes of ministry efforts and collaborating on addressing social issues that affect Christians and specifically the Black Church in America, most notably through his Urban Initiatives program. During the tenure of Bishop G.E. The COGIC emphasized the use of the choir as an integral part of the worship experience. Most recently, Biola University conferred an honorary doctorate upon him on June 12, 2010. All rights reserved. He re-ignited the church to be a flagship Pentecostal denomination. Under her leadership, the Women's International Convention added the term "and Crusade" to highlight and promote the evangelistic approach of the convention. Bishop David A. She formed her daughters into a singing group who became known as the legendary "Clark Sisters" who helped introduce and became leaders of the contemporary gospel music era. The racial climate in the post WWI years, when there was high competition for jobs and housing and violent unrest in many cities in 1919, would not sustain this relationship. Drew Sheard, Sr. as Presiding Bishop on March 20, 2021. Charles Blake was born on August 5, 1940 in Little Rock, Arkansas, to the late Bishop Junious Augustus (J. [39], COGIC is a trinitarian Holiness Pentecostal denomination. He also instituted the Annual Prayer Breakfast, conducted Evangelistic Crusades across the country and developed the Church of God in Christ National Evangelist Registry. Mason Theological Seminary to train its ministers and ministry leaders. She established a high school and gained accreditation for it, and then for the junior college which she founded on campus. [29], Bishop Charles E. Blake assumed leadership and was elected Presiding Bishop of the church after the death of Bishop G.E. Drew Sheard who was elected in 2021. Today, the International Youth Department (IYD) is led by the International Youth President, Superintendent Nathaniel Green of Dallas, TX, and the International Chairlady, Evangelist Vandalyn Kennedy of Queens, NY. For a brief period of time, the YPWW Congress was combined with the Sunday School Congress in a joint convention until 1951. She was the Jurisdictional Supervisor of Women for California Northern First Jurisdiction. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. 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In 1988, after a thirteen-year exodus from COGIC, Bishop G. E. Patterson returned as the founding Prelate of the newly formed Tennessee Fourth Jurisdiction. He was pastor of the Pentecostal Temple Institutional COGIC in Memphis, Tennessee, and was the Presiding Prelate of the Tennessee Headquarters Jurisdiction. However, his out-spoken criticism of the racial prejudice and discrimination of whites led most, if not all of them, to leave his church for other ministries where the message against racism was not so obvious and offensive to them. Demons exist as manifestation of evil or unclean spirits. In November 1975, at the National Holy Convocation in Memphis, TN., with the consent of the General Board, Bishop Carlis Moody Sr. of Evanston, Illinois, was appointed by Bishop J. O. Patterson to be president of the Department of Home and Foreign Missions. The court ordered the church to convene a constitutional convention in February 1968. These jurisdictions are then separated into districts, which consist of 5 to 7 churches and are governed by superintendents (ordained elder or pastor). The church's new presiding bishop, who took office on March 20, said he will have to. Mother Rivers also began the "49 and Under" to enlist and focus the younger women of COGIC to remain committed to the doctrine and teachings of the church. G. E. Patterson established the Temple of Deliverance, the Cathedral of Bountiful Blessing which grew to become the largest Pentecostal church in Memphis with over 14,000 members. Bishop O. T. Jones Sr, however, did not leave the COGIC. [27], Bishop James Oglethorpe Patterson Sr. was elected in November 1968 as the first presiding bishop of the church by the General Assembly at the Sixty-First Holy Convocation of the church. A. Jeter was selected as Overseer of Arkansas. The church is thought to have nearly two million members in 7,000 churches on the continent of Africa. Owens continued to serve as a jurisdictional bishop and member of the General Board until his death in 2011. By. March 22, 2021. COGIC believes, though, that even then in the case of saving the life of the mother, that abortion should still only be considered as a last resort, if all other options to help the mother and the unborn fetus have been thoroughly exhausted. These offices are found in every local, district, and jurisdiction to support development and growth of the Sunday School. [12] Mason stayed in Los Angeles for five weeks and his visit to the Azusa Street Revival changed the direction of the newly formed holiness church. Blake has served as Chair of the Executive Committee, member of the Board of Directors of Oral Roberts University, and as a member of the Board of Directors of International Charismatic Bible Ministries. President, International Department of Evangelism Evangelist Gary Sprewell, Elect Lady, International Department of Evangelism . [45] It teaches that salvation is a work of grace brought about through faith in Jesus Christ; it does not promulgate nor encourage the doctrine of eternal security, also known as "once saved, always saved. They unanimously chose C.H. [46], COGIC teaches that the baptism of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is an experience subsequent to conversion and sanctification, can be experienced by all believers who ask for it. [17][16] The organizers of the meeting in Hot Springs had sent invitations only to white ministers to discuss a new movement. We believe that the regeneration by the Holy Ghost is absolutely essential for personal salvation. Page in 1927. He was the founding Chair of the Board of Directors for,[10] and has served as a board member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, for the Interdenominational Theological Seminary. In her brief tenure, she encouraged the women to stay focused and supportive to the leadership of the church. They determined to separate from COGIC and form what would eventually become the Worldwide Fellowship of the Assemblies of God. She developed the role of the State Minister of Music and traveled the world conducting seminars and workshops perfecting the quality of choir music, their performance, appearance and demeanor, and the COGIC sound. The general assembly meets biannually each year in April and November while the presidium acts as the executive branch of the church, overseeing the day-to-day operation when the general assembly is not in session. Other accolades include the Distinguished Leadership Award from the African Presidential Archives and. The former Detroit-based math teacher was elected as the new presiding bishop over the largest Pentecostal denomination in the country in March. Ford was pastor of the St. Paul COGIC in Chicago and was Presiding Prelate of the Historic Illinois First Jurisdiction. The first meeting was held in Memphis, Tennessee around 1937. We believe that there is One God, eternally existent in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. During his visit, Mason received the baptism of the Holy Ghost; the evidence was believed to be his "speaking in other tongues", in accordance with the biblical account found in the book of Acts 2:4. He protested during the 1950s and 1960s against lodging segregation in Memphis, while participating in COGIC Holy Convocations there during the Civil Rights era before federal laws prohibiting such segregation. Jurisdictions range in size between 30 and 100 churches. President, International Youth Department Superintendent Nathaniel Green. Owens and became known as AIM (Auxiliaries in Ministry). According to Alex Haley, "He and his wife then received bomb threats at home and at church." From 1985 to 2009, he maintained the position of Prelate for the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of California, where he was responsible for overseeing over 250 churches. B. McEwen was elected chairman of the executive board, and O.T. In 1988, he was installed as Pastor of Greater Emmanuel Church. During her leadership, several new buildings were constructed on the 350-acre campus to serve this expansion. Mother Willie Mae Rivers served faithfully for 20 years as General Mother until 2017 and the age of 91. Well-known gospel musicians with COGIC roots include; Andrae Crouch and Sandra Crouch, Walter Hawkins and Edwin Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, Rubenstein McClure, Yvette Flunder, Sara Jordan Powell, Daryl Coley, BeBe and CeCe Winans, The Winans, "Detroit" Gary Wiggins, John P. Kee, The O'Neal Twins, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Rance Allen, Rev. Welcome to the Official Church Of God In Christ, Inc Online Store Dismiss. The most notable rift occurred in 1969, when fourteen bishops met in Evanston, Illinois, to form the Church of God in Christ, International. Drew Sheard, Sr. as Presiding Bishop on March 20, 2021. African-American parents sent their children to this school from across the United States, especially those who had grown up in Mississippi and knew its reputation. The first Sunday School Superintendent was Professor L. W. Lee (19081916). As a result, many local congregations, foreign missions, and schools were established through the leadership and efforts of women in COGIC. He is credited with helping to secure the steel needed to construct Mason Temple which was virtually impossible during World War II.[52]. The current General Supervisor of Women is Dr. Barbara McCoo Lewis of Los Angeles, California. Despite what seems to be obvious limitations to minister because of ordination, women have been given great latitude and numerous opportunities to serve in ministry in COGIC. Recognizing the significance of women to the ministry, COGIC has created numerous positions that allow women to work as counterparts to the department presidents as chair ladies (YPWW) and Elect ladies (Evangelism). Chairman of the Board of Bishops Bishop Albert Galbraith. [55], A 2014 statistical study from the Pew Research Center Forum on Religion & Public Life, reported that most members of COGIC usually got married between the ages of 25 and 30, and that over 42% of COGIC members between the ages of 25 and 65+ were married, at least 19% were divorced or separated, 32% were never married, and at least 5% were widowed. During his administration, Battles organized Regions to oversee evangelistic ministry in various regional areas across the country. Evangelist Missionaries are licensed to preach the gospel, conduct gospel meetings, and may be given the oversight of local congregations serving as the church administrator. Student Aid a ministry of support to foreign students. Each jurisdictional bishop appoints a jurisdictional supervisor to lead the work of the women on a jurisdictional level. By that time, it was known as Saints Academy and Junior College. Protestant doctrinal debates about Calvinism and Wesleyan Perfectionism affected how even local African-American Baptist pastors responded to new Christian movements at the time. Under her leadership and tenure, COGIC choirs and individual singers came to dominate gospel music producing a number of recordings and gospel hits. In April 2018, Bishop Blake led COGIC in partnership with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis to continue to struggle for civil rights in the 21st Century. Then in 1946, the YPWW Department was combined with the Sunday School Department for joint conventions until 1951 when they were separated once again. As a visionary who is both inspiring and influential, the awards and recognitions that Bishop Blake has received are extensive. Between 2009 and 2011, in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa, Blake founded and was the first president of the Pan African Children's Fund (PACF). She is the longest serving president of the International Music Department and her influence and legacy have been indelible and are recognized around the world. It has nine members, elected by the general assembly, including three bishops, three elders, and three lay members. Nevertheless, women are licensed in COGIC to proclaim the gospel as evangelists. She organized the sewing circle and after meeting Elder Searcy, she encouraged the women to support mission work through the Home and Foreign Mission bands. As Senior Pastor of the 26,000 member, West Angeles Church of God In Christ in Los Angeles, California, Bishop Blakes leadership is positively impacting lives and enhancing the community through the work of the many ministries offered. Although headquartered in Memphis, COGIC's leaders . [37] The National Council of Churches ranks it as the fifth largest Christian denomination in the U.S.[38] COGIC is a HolinessPentecostal Christian denomination,[2][4] with a predominantly African-American membership. Mason sent ministers and evangelists to cities and urban areas outside the South, including William Roberts (Chicago), O. M. Kelly (New York), O. T. Jones Sr. (Philadelphia), E. R. Driver (Los Angeles), and Samuel Kelsey (Washington, D.C.) From these major cities, COGIC spread throughout the country. After being ejected for accepting these new Pentecostal teachings, Mason called a meeting in Memphis later in the year and reorganized the Church of God in Christ as a Holiness-Pentecostal body. According to the Articles of Religion, "We believe that we are not baptized with the Holy Ghost in order to be saved, but that we are baptized with the Holy Ghost because we are saved". Bishop Brandon B. Porter Secretary to the General Board (2021present) and board member (2012present). C. D. Owens had gained national attention in the church as the president of the Youth Department. The fastest growing areas include Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil, and India. President Moody also added these ministries to the Missions Department:[62]. In 1917, the YPWW was officially organized under the leadership of Elder Ozro Thurston Jones Sr., who in 1928 established the first Youth Congress bringing together youth leaders and workers on a national level. It believes that the gifts of the Spirit are given to believers and are active in the church today. In 1969, he was asked by his father and by Southern California COGIC bishop, Bishop Samuel M. Crouch, to take over as the pastor of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ. During the formative stages of COGIC, Bishop Mason organized departments to further support the work of the church as it continued to grow and expand. Vice President of COGIC World Missions-Supervisor Sideary King. In 1916, a few white churches were organized as a white branch of COGIC. The legislative authority of the church is vested in a general assembly, composed of the members of the general board, jurisdictional/auxiliary bishops, jurisdictional supervisors, chaplains, pastors, ordained elders, four district missionaries and six lay members from each jurisdiction. This came on the heels of former Presiding Bishop Charles Edward Blake Sr.'s October 2020 announcement that he would not seek reelection. Evangelist Goldia Haynes, Elder Utah Smith, Madame Earnestine Washington, and Marion Williams continued COGIC's influence throughout the fifties and sixties. [60] Units added during her tenure as general supervisor were the: business and Professional Women's Federation, Rescue Squad, Sunday School Representatives Unit, United Sisters of Charity, National Secretaries Unit, and the Jr. Missionaries. In keeping with the times, the school had some industrial education and training for its students, so that they could learn practical skills. In 1895, C.P. Jones and C.H. Mason were licensed Baptist ministers in Mississippi who began teaching and preaching a Wesleyan doctrine of Christian perfection or entire sanctification as a second work of grace to their Baptist congregations. Jones Sr. was elected Senior Bishop by the General Assembly. As previously stated, COGIC although predominately black, had a significant white membership during its first decade of existence, with a number of white ministers holding leadership positions in the church. Charles Edward Blake Sr. (born August 5, 1940) is an American minister and pastor who served as the Presiding Bishop and leader of the Church of God in Christ, a 6 million-member Holiness Pentecostal denomination, that has now grown to become one of the largest predominantly African American Pentecostal denominations in the United . Mallory retired in 1976 after fifty years of service; and she had a national reputation. In 2015, after more than 40 years of faithful service, Bishop Carlis L. Moody was emeritized as Bishop of Missions. Factions developed within the organization as both the senior bishop and Bishop A. From 1985 to 2009, he maintained the position of Prelate for the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of California, where he was responsible for overseeing over 250 . He continued to build on the department through expansion of the Regional Administration into 10 geographical locations across the country. This list may not reflect recent changes . The early pioneers of this newly formed Holiness-Pentecostal body in 1907 were E. R. Driver, J. Bowe, R. R. Booker, R. E. Hart, W. Welsh, A. In 1946, the National Sunday School Congress began to meet with the Young People's Willing Workers (YPWW) Congress. COGIC clergy do not officially sanction or recognize same-sex relationships to be united in marriage and the denomination at-large discourages same-sex relationships as unbiblical and immoral. The church started with only 50 members in 1969 when he became pastor. [7] The leadership of the Mississippi State Convention of the National Baptist Convention intervened and expelled Jones, Mason, and others who embraced the Wesleyan teaching of entire sanctification. The school and college remain closed at present.[29]. Charles Edward Blake Sr. (born August 5, 1940) is an American minister and pastor who served as the Presiding Bishop and leader of the Church of God in Christ, a 6 million-member Holiness Pentecostal denomination, that has now grown to become one of the largest predominantly African American Pentecostal denominations in the United States, from 2007 to 2021. After being removed from the office of Senior Bishop, he remained the Jurisdictional Bishop of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania until his death in 1972. [47], COGIC teaches that the church is the community of Christian believers who have accepted Jesus Christ and submit to his Lordship and authority in their lives. Bishop Malcolm W. Coby Board member (2021present). She was greatly interested in the building of Mason Temple and she kept her national building fund drives functioning until she knew the building was ready for dedication. Dr. Mattie Moss Clark#, second and longest-serving president of Int'l. [9] This Holiness group/fellowship adopted the name Church of God in Christ, and COGIC began to develop congregations throughout the South. G iving to the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) fell by nearly 50 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic. His decision means that the Feb. 23 Quadrennial Election will vote-in a new Presiding Bishop. Her predecessor was Evangelist Dr. Rita Womack of Los Angeles, California. [20], The first national tabernacle was built and completed in 1925. [26], The parties filed lawsuits in the Chancery Court of Shelby County, Tennessee, to resolve the legitimate authority of the denomination. We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible written Word of God. In 1918, COGIC opened its first institution of higher learning, the Saints Industrial and Literary School in Lexington, Mississippi, for both girls and boys. During the tenure of Bishop L. H. Ford as Presiding Bishop in the 1990s, he helped gain COGIC membership into the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, a more diverse, international caucus of different Pentecostal church denominations and organizations that sought to heal the racial divides in the North American Pentecostal movement.[57]. [50], In July 2016 during their annual Auxiliaries in Ministries convention, COGIC announced their Urban Initiative Outreach ministries and Missions and Charity departments would be partnering up with The Human Coalition, an anti-abortion advocacy group, from 2016 to 2019 for a three-year initiative to encourage COGIC pastors and ministers to encourage anti-abortion advocacy in their local churches. It ultimately ended by 1930, when the Depression set in. Presiding Bishop Emeritus of the Church of God in Christ, Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America, "COGIC Re-Elects Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. as Leader - Afro", "PRESS RELEASE: Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. Will Not Seek Reelection", "Why the Power of the Black Church Matters This Election", "Whitehouse.gov - Inaugural Advisory Council: Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships", Succession of Church of God in Christ Leaders, Historically African-American Christian denominations, First African Baptist Church (Richmond, Virginia), First African Baptist Church (Savannah, Georgia). A. Blackwell, E. M. Blackwell, E. M. Page, R. H. I. Clark, D. J. Chairman of AIM Bishop Linwood Dillard. [35], In 2016, the Church had 5.5 million members in 60 countries around the world. [31], Bishop Ford also renovated several COGIC structures in Memphis, including Mason Temple. Chairman of the National Board of Trustees Bishop Dwight E. Walls Sr.. First Vice Chairman of the National Board of Trustees Superintendent Melton Timmons. Mason. He consecrated and appointed more than 100 bishops during his twenty-one years of leadership. Patterson, as Presiding Bishop of the Church in the 2000s, he helped bridge denominational barriers and encouraged non-COGIC ministries and denominations to work collaboratively with the COGIC denomination to help support charity efforts for poor and disadvantaged African Americans and people affected by poverty and disasters in foreign countries through the COGIC Charities Department and the COGIC Missions and Evangelism Department. His dream was to establish an international ministry complex known as "Saints Center" and an accredited institution known as "All Saints University". As the church continued to grow, she created women auxiliaries including the Purity Class and the Sunshine Band. Secretary of the National Board of Trustees Dr. T. Lynn Smith. As the International Holy Convocation grew to thousands, COGIC leaders had to negotiate with city officials to provide hotel accommodations for the saints. [96][97][98][99], This article is about the Holiness Pentecostal denomination. Youth on a Mission (YOAM) a ministry of young people visiting the mission field to serve each summer. Gilbert. Chairman of the National Judiciary Board Bishop Martin Luther Johnson. COGIC believes in divine healing, however, it does not advocate the exclusion of medical supervision. This convention brings thousands of COGIC members representing all the major departments including Sunday School, Missions, Evangelism, Music, and Youth together in July and meets in cities around the U.S. As the first elected presiding bishop, Bishop Patterson Sr. established the Charles Harrison Mason Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. Bishop James Oglethorpe Patterson 1968-1989* *Tenure as leader of the church: Presiding Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson 2000-Present: Bishop Louis Henry Ford 1990-1995* Bishop Chandler David Owens 1995-2000* It was also around this time, that he married his wife, Mae Lawrence Blake, a native of Michigan and daughter of another COGIC bishop and pastor, and they had three children together, Charles Blake, Jr., Lawrence "Larry" Blake, and Kimberly Blake.

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