November 5, 2009

The 2009 East Region Rally event took place April 17-18 in the city of Norfolk, VA, hosted at the Garden of Prayer Worship Center COGIC, where Bishop Levi Willis Jr. is the host Pastor.

Though slightly smaller in scale than the prior year in Philadelphia, there was still over capacity attendance, estimated at 2300+, with close to 900 registered delegates.  The church seats approximately 2200 and was filled to overflowing capacity on both Friday and Saturday night worship services.  Events included a late night concert, a Young Women of Excellence Pajamas & Pampering social which had capacity attendance, a sports and recreation tournament with 350+ youth in the gymnasium and a Gathering Place late night session.

The Lord was faithful in this event as he has been in times past and the power of the Lord was in the place with awesome demonstration.  On Friday evening, International Chairlady Joyce Rodgers delivered a powerful Word and many delegates both young and old were tremendously blessed.

Saturday all day, the East Region workers and delegates enjoyed a fruitful time of fellowship, impartation and edification, starting with the Morning Glory where the worship and Word was rich and continuing in the Workshop sessions where over 750+ youth and young adults participated in over 30 different class offerings, taught by qualified and capable persons, members of the Church of God in Christ with expertise in every field of endeavor.  The East Region left an indelible imprint on Booker T. Washington H.S. in Norfolk which was utilized as the site for Saturday’s institute, Sports and Recreation and the lunch feeding for all youth free of charge.

The final Worship services was the highlight of the weekend, where the Spirit of the Lord came in so mightily that the scheduled program had to be interrupted and the main speaker brought forth.  International President Dillard delivering the Rhema for the house with the Word, “Spiritual Warfare”.  By the conclusion of his presentation, the hearts and souls of all were ready for transformation and the altar was packed with over 400 youth and young adults coming to rededicate themselves to the Lord and engage in some spiritual warfare of their own against the enemy’s attack on their lives.

The youth were highlighted during this great event with presentations from the Young Women of Excellence and the Young Men of Valor as well as the selection of the first Regional Youth Advisory Council board for young adults ages 16 – 21.

The East Region has always been blessed with great support by many of our area Bishops and this year was no exception where we enjoyed attendance and support by the Virginia area Bishops as well as other Prelate and leaders from around the Region including Bishop Levi Willis Jr., Bishop Samuel Green (General Board member), Bishop Ted Thomas Sr., Bishop Paul Harmon, Bishop Dwight Green and Bishop Thomas Holsey.  In addition, our friend and mentor, the “godfather” of the International Youth Department, Vice President Willard Payton, attended to support the East Region event.

At the conclusion of the event, the East Region was blessed by the decision of our International Chairlady with the approval of the International President to appoint for us a Regional Chairlady.  The East Region was proud to receive and celebrate the elevation of our own Evangelist Kandace Pierce to the Office of Regional Chairlady.

Together with the leadership team of Pastor Tyrone Butler, Regional Director and IYD Administrator and Evangelist Kandace Pierce, Regional Chairlady, the East Region is continuing to look for bigger and better things as we fulfill our mandate under the vision and leadership of our International President to promote events and activities, always striving to make an indelible impact on the lives of our youth, to inspire, edify, provide training for and create wholesome fellowship that will enable them to bear fruit worthy of Kingdom ministry.