Thanksgiving Day was a blessing for many Detroiters as they filled the Cathedral Worship Center for a scrumptious dinner. Several families patiently stood in line as volunteers added several delectable servings to their plates.

With the help of Bishop PA Brook’s Ten Ten Ten Plan, the support and partnership of more than a few large corporations, several dedicated volunteers, and faithful members of New St. Paul Tabernacle COGIC, there was more than enough food and supplies to feed more than a thousand people.

Bishop Brook’s Ten Ten Ten Plan kicked off during the World Missions Walk when he called for groups of ten to raise funds to help carry out the Mission Walk; the Plan sparked such a huge response, raising more than four thousand dollars, Bishop was compelled to do it again by feeding 1000 underprivileged, unemployed and homeless persons on Thanksgiving Day.

As a result, not only were families treated to a delicious sit-down meal, but many of them were encouraged to take plates to go because some of their family members were home bound.  Several guests soaked up the kind hospitality shown to them saying, “This is the way to win souls.” As the evening came to a close, some of the guests did not want to leave, so instead they sat around sharing laughs and talking about the love that embraced them at the Cathedral Worship Center.

In the spirit of spreading Thanksgiving, some of the men of New St. Paul Tabernacle COGIC walked the streets, sharing the love of God and warm meals under the bridges near the viaducts of Detroit and fed the homeless people who dwelled there. Meals were also delivered to senior citizens, sent to several homeless shelters, and several volunteer workers. Some families even received whole cooked turkeys.

Bishop PA Brook’s vision to feed a thousand underprivileged, unemployed, and homeless people was more than a success. The outreach effort was publicized on Inside Detroit Radio AM 1200.  Channel 7 news (WXYZ) was contacted and came out to cover the event, and the Detroit Free Press published an article that was instrumental in leading families to the Cathedral for Thanksgiving dinner.   “This Thanksgiving was the best Thanksgiving of my life,” said Bishop Brooks.  “I hope to do this again next year.”

Detroit Free Press article:

http://www.freep.com/article/20091126/NEWS05/911260377/Metro-Detroiters-are-pitching-in-to-assist-those-who-have-less

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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Genreal Board Member Bishop Frank White

FREEPORT, NY – The fleet of black sedans meeting arriving flights at JFK International Airport were promptly occupied by the distinguished guests from the Great Lakes region anticipating their daylong summit at the invitation of Bishop Frank O. White. Winding their way through the morning rush-hour, the commute into Freeport was welcomed with steady enough traffic to appreciate the reconstructed roadways of the Belt Parkway – then onward east along Sunrise Highway to Zion Cathedral.

When you enter the magenta-trimmed office, tastefully accented by an obviously recent photograph of himself and his wife of nearly 50 years, Juliet, you will find Bishop White gladly occupied with extending his usual hospitality, rising from his desk to embrace the arrival of Bishop James R. Wright of New York Western Jurisdiction, shouldered against Bishop R. J. Hoston of New York Central and Bishop Jeffrey L. Melvin (East Africa, Republic of Rwanda).

With Bishop G. H. Young of New York Western Second, Superintendent Matthew Brown (Buffalo), Bishop Norman Quick of New York Southeast and Bishop Aubrey Baker of New York Eastern Second already standing in conversational reverence of the framed portraits of past Presiding Bishops of the Church of God in Christ – and the present – along the corridor outside Bishop White’s office, Bishop J. P. Lee (New York Eastern Fourth) soon enters the fellowship area and joins the stance.  It was a setting suited for perhaps even the Sons of Isachaar (1 Chron. 12:32).

Scheduled roll call was only minutes away. But first, the long-awaited tour of the majestic Zion Cathedral. From its polished hardwood mezzanine seating nearly 900 to its masterfully-equipped main sound studio perched against its 350-seat balcony overlooking the royal breadth of the sanctuary, the brotherly consensus rang clear: What a towering tribute to the glory of God!  Tuned with humility, “It is the house that prayer built” Bishop White relayed. 

Upon the arrival of Bishop James Gaylord (New York Eastern First), they were off to the Executive Conference Room to be about our “Church of God in Christ” business centered upon The Power of Partnership.

Bishop White opens the summit by calling the bishops’ attention to the fact that the Church of God in Christ is on the leading edge of something truly great! He pauses to remove his eyeglasses with the paternalistic posture of the late Bishop O. M. Kelly and offers thanks to God for having always given unto the Church of God in Christ “great leaders with reliable visionary eyesight.”

The Power of Partnership: Linking Leadership 

The unanimous decision to join forces, combine resources and pledge active participation for advancing the agenda articulated by our Presiding Bishop & Chief Apostle, Bishop Charles E. Blake in his Apostolic Missives made for a comfortable, productive, informative and successful morning session presided over by Bishop White, who, prior to being elected to the General Board, served the Church of God in Christ for more than 16 years as Secretary of Finance.

Listed on the agenda, after being served a Marriott International-style breakfast, was a visual presentation by Superintendent Matthew Brown power-pointing to “Connecting, Leveraging, Engaging and Promoting” the tools available to the body. In particular, “broadening our capacity in strategic and virtual initiatives that impact all New Yorkers”. Articulate and thorough, Superintendent Brown facilitated the discussion followed by Bishop Wright’s presentation highlighting the benefits of ecumenical networks established in his Western New York region.

By the second brew of coffee, Bishop Harrison Hale had joined the meeting by conference call from Guatemala as did Bishop Ralph Jefferson (Canada Western) from his home office. Their input: well-received.

Right on schedule, Bishop Baker, responding to Bishop White’s appeal for the summit to align its perspective with Bishop Blake’s appreciation for President Obama’s economic sensitivity, New York State Comptroller William Thompson, also in attendance, offered a realistic overview of where middle-income saints might expect to find themselves in times like these. Consequently, Congress had just  introduced the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act giving “the federal government more tools to crack down on the kind of fraud that put thousands of hardworking families at risk of losing their homes despite doing everything right to live within their means.”

Commenting further on the transitional state of our government, Bishop White admonished the bishops in the edited style of the late President John F. Kennedy, “As leaders with influence, it is important that we ask not so much what our government can do for us, but rather ask respectfully what we can do for our government.”

By mid-afternoon, Chief Adjutant-Pastor Jerome Lewis, confirming return flights by cell, ordered the distribution of relevant guidelines prepared by Bishop White for the fellow bishops to digest in preparation for COGIC Heritage Celebration & Loyalty Day as well as their respective regional World Missions Walk-A-Thons.

Making a Difference: One Mile At A Time

Just as planned, Bishop White kicked-off the New York Area Walk-A-Thon, Columbus Day Morning at 9:14 AM on the Boardwalk at Long Beach following greetings by Thomas R. Sofield, President of the Long Beach City Council. Hundreds of walkers from the joint jurisdictions, neighboring communities as well as volunteers from the local PTAs, NAACP and Nassau University Medical Center joined the endeavor looking out at a brisk Atlantic.

Beaming with accomplishment, having completed the 1.4 kilometers, each way, the morning turned out to be “so much more than a health benefit” remarked Yamise Fields, Manager for the American Heart Association. “It was a chance to remember that global outreach is a part of our Church of God in Christ identity.”  

To add to the excitement, [it was] “a new, refreshing and rewarding activity initiated by our Presiding Bishop Blake sure to catch on all over the world” commented Dr. Walter Willie, Executive Secretary of New York Eastern Third.

Reaching Out by Being Prayed-Up

Back at the summit table, as Bishop White moves through the agenda, a readiness to maximize our Church’s goals is intensifying wall to wall within the chambers. Specifically, it became inevitable that the challenge to envision the lack of food in Angola, inaccessible medical care in rural Malawi, insufficient means for receiving  proper education in Zimbabwe and an infant mortality rate directly linked with malnutrition here on American soil would draw an outpour of compassion and a commitment among the bishops to  actively do something! This begins with the relational touch of Christ Who “met them, then He loved them, then He healed them and then He saved them” Bishop White shared.

“This opportunity cannot pass us by” became the common goal even as the bishops bid each other traveling mercies until seeing each other again in Memphis.  “My Brothers take this same energy back home to your local churches.” Bishop White fervently charged them all. “Take this back to your jurisdictions” he continues. “Bring it back to your pastors, and let us do what God has empowered us in the Church of God in Christ to do: Make a difference…one step at a time.”

By late afternoon, the meeting of minds drew towards culmination with plans to promote a New York Summit on Prayer, appropriately subtitled by Bishop White as “The Next Realm of Power.” Plans are underway for naming five locations for hosting concurrent intercessory prayer by the Spring 2010.

Closing with prayer for the grace and joint determination to undergird Bishop Blake’s cause, strategy and leadership, the black sedans pulled up and opened again their doors to the team of bishops, all of whom, having participated in this enlightening full-day fellowship were energized and ready to open their own arms to the world – Church of God in Christ style!

The same night, 150 souls from New York Eastern Third were baptized! The Ceremonial Homily delivered by Bishop R. J. Hoston. With joy, the candidates, young and old, were escorted “to the water” by Bishop White, himself – The host of the day. ■

Downtown Memphis, TN

The Leadership Conference of the Church Of God In Christ is a powerful convention that further seeks to strengthen the body of Christ through the examination of business practices.  This annual gathering focuses on the larger objectives of the Church under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake and the direction of General Board Member Bishop Jerry Macklin, which is to emphasize effective leadership skills.  The three-day event returns to Memphis, Tennessee.  This year’s theme is “Vision, Administration and Accountability: Essentials for Excellence in Church Leadership” and will address issues like policies and procedures for church management, administrative forms for policy and procedures and Vision.

The Church has remained focused on five major initiatives since they were given by the Presiding Bishop: The Urban Family, Health & Public Safety, Financial Literacy, Education and Employment & Training.  And during the leadership meetings, classes are devised to focus on the analysis and planning of the strategies that have been set forth to fulfill the implementation of the initiatives.

Classes cover everything from best practices in financial accountability to time management and the art of delegation.  It is also a great opportunity for saints from across the country to come and fellowship with each other while they learn invaluable skills.

“Every year we aim to strengthen our leaders and the Church as a whole through programs such as this.  We know that we have a great responsibility to our communities, and in order to fulfill those obligations, we must prepare ourselves through consecration, meditation and true commitment to the cause,” said Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr.

Memphis can expect thousands of people to attend the Leadership Conference, which will be housed at the Marriott Memphis Downtown from January 18-21, 2010.  Deadline for registration is Thursday, December 31, 2009. 

If you would like to maximize your productivity by attending the Leadership Conference, please contact COGIC Convention Services at 1-866-522-1331 or www.cogic.com.

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.

“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” Psalm 20:16

Welcome to the home page of the General Board of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. The men selected to lead the Church were chosen by God and the membership of the Church Of God In Christ. We hope you enjoy learning more about the Church leadership and the important role they have in leading God’s people.

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About the Church Of God In Christ

The Church Of God In Christ is the fourth-largest Protestant religious denomination in the United States with an estimated membership above 6.5 million members. COGIC headquarters are located at Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee.

Media contacts: Deidre Malone and Alandas Dobbins, The Carter Malone Group, 901.278.0881 or dmalone@cmgpr.com or adobbins@cmgpr.com

The reported death of God in the cities of America and the world is a false report.  Those who are involved in ministry in the city testify that in the city, as everywhere else, where sin doth abound, there grace doth much more abound.  Christ the wounded healer is present in the concrete jungles, in the overcrowded rat and roach infested projects in the halls of justice, and in the jails.  As our eternal contemporary, He is wherever there is human hurt and suffering.  Since God has never forsaken the city, neither must the church. 

A careful examination of the urban scene reveals that the church and all social institutions are both challenged and threatened by conditions which are widespread in twentieth century America.  These conditions, though observable because of physical manifestations, are primarily spiritual and theological.  They are basically problems arising because of man’s rebellion and alienation from God and man’s pride, selfishness and contempt for his fellow man.

In recent years the church too often has been in captivity to the society for economic and social reasons and has not been free to fulfill its prophetic role of pronouncing judgment as well as proclaiming the way of healing and salvation.  Rather, the church has too often simply reflected the prevailing social or political values and has said by its silence and/or complicity that the majority and might makes right.  Consequently, the church in many cities of the United States has lost its effective witness. 

America must apply its teaching regarding forgiveness, healing and redemption to itself before it can respond constructively to the desperate cry of the larger society for direction.  It may be that much of the distress in our cities is due to the abandonment of the cities by the many representatives of Christ, leaving only a remnant of his followers to do what Christ has commissioned all of us to do together.  The city is the scene of spiritual confusion.  There is to be found a proliferation of cults and non-biblical religions, often led by opportunists and spiritual pimps who capitalize on the ignorance, spiritual hunger and vulnerability of many city dwellers who have never heard the Gospel.  Moreover, here are those in the city like these counterparts in the suburbia who heard the Gospel but rejected its claim upon their lives.  Paul in Romans Ch. 1 gives a clear statement of the major cities of America today.  “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written.  ‘The just shall live by faith.’  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man – and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.  Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever, Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions.  For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” 

The biblical diagnosis of the spiritual climate in the city is also the correct diagnosis of the spiritual climate of suburbia.  The wealthy who reject Christ and the poor who reject Christ believe the same lie – that gain (wealth) is Godliness.  Greed and covetousness motivate both.  Yet there must be a spiritual change in the heart and conscious – a new birth wrought by God that brings (a new philosophy of wealth – the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof).  And a new understanding of stewardship – to whom much is given, from him much is required.  Those who have wealth and power are stewards, accountable to God for the responsible use and distribution of it.  Believing this, we issue a Macedonian call to our brothers and sisters who fled the city, – “Come back and help us.”

Ministry to the City

Since God has not forsaken the city, the church must maintain a dynamic compassionate servant ministry there.  The church must maintain and preserve all that it can of its past liturgy, its worship, its teaching and healing ministry.  Yet it must not be afraid of using new forms, and methods to proclaim the good news.

Now the call to ministry in the city, like every call of God to ministry is initially a call to prepare for service.  The suffering servant must be thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  (1 Timothy 4:17).  The equipping of the servant must follow a Baptism of love, which will enable the servant to represent Christ in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi religious environment.  This baptism of love will prepare the servant to remain faithful in the face of violence, hostility, and other satanic forces.  The inner city provides an excellent opportunity for the Christian soldier to gain wounds for the cause of Christ.  Here is an opportunity to get to know Christ in the fellowship of his suffering and to imitate Christ as a wounded healer.  So we see that God has not abandoned the city in spite of the prognosis by the experts in urban affairs that the city’s sickness is unto death, the church must believe that even if there is spiritual, moral and economic death in the city, our God is able to speak life and cause a resurrection in the city.

The destiny of our nation is bound to the destiny of our cities.  God hears the cries of the hurting and the hopeless in the city.  He sees the growing tensions between the powerful and powerless, the “haves” and the “have-nots”…He knows the sin and the uncleanliness that prevail.  The only power to save the city is God’s redemptive power.  Yet He chooses to use human instruments.

God has asked “Who will go for us?”  But He has also directed and commanded that we shall be witness in Jerusalem and the uttermost parts of the world.

Title:  Reclaiming the City for God

Action Items 

I.  Mobilize prayer cells throughout the community

II.  Involve pastors and church leaders in regular prayer meetings

III.  Mobilize volunteers for specific ministries

A.  Outreach to gang members

B.  Outreach to prostitutes

C.  Prison ministry

D.  Sponsor those in adoption programs

E.  Encourage community service

IV.  Establish after-school learning centers using church facilities.  Sponsor programs to encourage the pursuit of excellence and education.

V.  Utilize church resources for reaching the un-reached through responding to felt needs.

A.  Childcare

B.  Halfway house

C.  Scouting

D.  Debutante Academy

E.  Feeding Program

F. Homeless Ministry

VI.  Special youth outreach through music, drama, and dance

A.  Give attention to spiritual formation and character building

The Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr and the distinguished members of the General Board ensure the preservation of a sacred Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) landmark and enhance its usefulness through an impressive global administrative, informational and operational center.

This administration center, located on the campus of the international headquarters of the Church Of God In Christ, will afford denominational departments and ministries the ability to empower congregational initiatives, strengthen Jurisdictional programs and advance international ministries. The historic Mason Temple Church Of God In Christ is located on this campus and is a federally-designated landmark.

Presiding Bishop Blake and the presidium has commissioned a national team of planners, marketing consultants, capital development professionals and church leaders to implement and complete this plan.

General Board Member Bishop Sedgwick Daniels was appointed to chair the committee. To date, the committee has established seven subcommittees to execute the plan. Some include the capital campaign, marketing and government relations. The committee has made several site visits to the property and made a few critical changes to the strategic plan to better align the project mission.

At the Women’s Convention in Denver, the committee will meet to discuss the COGIC Community Day Project. This event will target members and community partners to participate by rolling-up their sleeves and investing some sweat equity at the international headquarter campus in preparation for the new center.

It is an historic first, that the capital campaign has not officially launched to the membership and has already yield over $350,000 from the presiding bishop, committee members and corporate partners. The goal is to raise $2 million to support the project. More information about the capital campaign and how you can assist check www.cogic.com for updates.