The COGIC International World Missions Walk was a Landmark Event

On October 10, 2009, the Church Of God In Christ held the first COGIC World Missions International Walk-A-Thon.  Thousands of people showed up nationwide and in many areas all over the world to participate in this event.

Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. led the Los Angeles event with hundreds of participants.   In other locales, participants walked in the rain; snow; and sunshine.  They walked to help others, and followed Jesus’ example of giving.  Walkers gave with their time, their energy, their money and the funds collected from sponsors.

Bishop P.A. Brooks, First Assistant to the Presiding Bishop, who resides in Detroit, Michigan, coordinated the Michigan Walk-A-Thon on September 12^th, 2009.  It was a great lead in to the International Walk-A-Thon, because it was such a successful event.  Bishop Brooks created a Ten Ten Ten plan where groups of 10 came together to fund raise.  That plan became a model for giving that was used for the subsequent Thanksgiving event, free dinner for the homeless, elderly, and the needy in Detroit.  The Michigan Walk-A-Thon garnered media attention and attracted a lot of local “star-power” because of the hard work of Bishop Brooks and all of the other organizers.  The local mayor participated, all of the major television stations, a marching band, and two radio stations did remote broadcasts. 

Bishop Jerry Macklin and General Board member Bishop Frank White were international coordinators of the event, but many people helped to make this first international endeavor a success including many of the Bishop’s wives.  “The wives were very beneficial” said Bishop Jerry Macklin, Second Assistant to the Presiding Bishop, “and “this Walk-A-Thon would not have happened without them.”   Participants from all over the nation helped to make this event memorable.  The groundbreaking year was a testament to the heart of COGIC members.   

“The Walk-A-Thon was great, and  we are encouraged  by this year; however, we are even more excited for next year, because we have 10 months to plan and many more people have already indicated they will participate,” said Bishop Macklin.   The funds from the Walk-A-Thon 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.

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