(August 4, 2009) Supporting education and international mission projects is the focus of the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) National Loyalty Day and World Missions Walk-a-thon. Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. and the General Board has challenged every pastor and church member to participate in these events. The National Loyalty Day is Sunday, September 13, 2009, when the Church will officially launch the COGIC Missions Walk-a-thon that will be held Saturday, October 10, 2009.

“Traditionally we only celebrate our founder Bishop C.H. Mason’s birthday in September during our Loyalty Day services,” said Bishop Blake. “It is the first time we will prepare for an international walk-a-thon that will bring well-deserved support to our international missions programs, which have grown over the years. This financial support and our COGIC Loyalty Sunday offering will help us spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to those in need of salvation and other assistance.”

 Bishop Blake appointed Bishop Jerry Macklin, 2nd Assistant Presiding Bishop and Bishop Frank White, a member of the General Board to coordinate these events. “This is an ambitious project and we were so blessed with the success of last year’s National Loyalty Sunday that we wanted to set a higher goal to support our programs,” said Bishop Macklin.

The Loyalty Day funds will support a key educational institution, the Charles Harrison Mason Theological Seminary on the campus of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2010, COGIC will celebrate 40 years as a member of this historic institution. 

Contributions geared towards education are essential to enhancing online education and the digital library with real time and traditional downloading opportunities for students. This investment translates into advanced education and career development within the United States and the 57 other countries associated with the Church Of God In Christ. 

As COGIC celebrates its heritage and recognizes the unique contributions of lay members Loyalty Sunday is the day a special offering is received for COGIC international missions and education. All Church Of God In Christ churches are asked to participate and each member is asked to contribute $20. A good example of how financial support can change lives is what has transpired over the years in Brazil in South America through the support of the missions program of the Church Of God In Christ. In 1986, COGIC was virtually unknown in Brazil.

Bishop Samuel Moore organized the first COGIC congregation in Sao Paulo in 1986 and in 2009 there are 72 churches in that jurisdiction. In 2008, the Church took the unique step of consecrating and appointing 16 jurisdictional Bishops in Nigeria, where the Church Of God In Christ is witnessing unprecedented growth. These funds will go to third world countries where COGIC invests in churches, schools, orphanages, medical ministries and other programs. 

This year, the goal is to raise $2 million to support these programs and the educational institutions of the Church.

 On Loyalty Sunday, COGIC Churches are asked to officially launch the COGIC World Missions Walk-a-thon project. In cities across the United States and other countries around the world, members and supporters of COGIC will coordinate walk-a-thons to be held Saturday, October 10, 2009. Through the use of technology, one will be able to see walkers participating in various cities and countries in real time on the COGIC.com web site. Members will solicit sponsors for the walk-a-thon with all proceeds for this event going to COGIC mission programs. 

COGIC World Missions Walk-a-thons are scheduled for major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, Oakland, Seattle, Houston, Baltimore, Dallas and Atlanta. A few of the countries participating include England, Brazil and Africa.

For more information on the National Loyalty events or to sign-up as volunteers or participate in a walk-a-thon visit http://cogic.net/cogiccms/cogic-heritage/2009/07/03/come-join-us/