After Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. and the General Board approved the concept of having an international Walk-A-Thon, First Assistant Presiding Bishop P.A. Brooks, the Michigan/Ontario Council of Bishops and their jurisdictions immediately began planning their events. Therefore, Michigan will be the first state to kick-off the Church Of God In Christ World Mission’s Walk-a-thon on Saturday, September 12, 2009. This will be the prelude to the international Walk-A-Thon event on Saturday, October 10, 2009.

Bishop Brooks and the event coordinators in Michigan have been organizing in Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw/Flint and Grand Rapids, obtaining media partners and signing-up walkers to participate in the walk-a-thon. “I am very excited about this event and pleased with the way our state has embraced the World Missions Walk-A-Thon because of its focus on health,” said Brooks. “Because this is the first year, our goal is to have at least 25,000 people participate in our events across the state. There has been a lot of hard work from many people including Jackie Day who has contacted many professional athletes and has been instrumental in a few celebrities and organizations who have signed on including the NBA Mother’s organization,” said Brooks. Magic Johnson’s mother Christine Johnson and Judge Greg Mathis have already committed. Bishop Marvin Pryor and administrative assistant Superintendant Hurley Coleman have been very active in the Flint-Saginaw area. Mother Mary Jane Walton, the Supervisor of Southwest Michigan Fourth Jurisdiction, and Alternate Area Supervisor has really aided the Detroit and Lansing Walk-a-Thon processes to move swiftly. Some sponsors include Detroit radio stations WMUZ and WEXL, part of the Crawford Broadcasting Company.

The World Mission’s Walk-a-thon in Michigan will be the day before the National Loyalty Day on Sunday, September 13th. Bishop Brooks has requested that the Michigan jurisdictions lift-up and remember Church Of God In Christ founder Bishop Charles Mason and contribute on that Sunday in Mason’s honor to support the Global missions and education programs.

Second Assistant Presiding Bishop Jerry Macklin and General Board Member, Bishop Frank White are the national coordinators of the Loyalty events.

For more information on how to participate in the Michigan Walk-A-Thons contact 313-835-5329.