Since the announcement of the annual Holy Convocation move from Memphis to St. Louis in 2010, there has been a lot of discussion and questions within the Church. In an effort to answer those questions, COGIC.com sat down with Superintendent Dickerson Wells at the Church Of God In Christ headquarters to gain insight about why the move came about and how it will affect Saints who attend.
COGIC.com: Why did the Church choose to leave Memphis?
Supt. Wells: It was never the desire of the Church or the leadership to leave Memphis. This has been our home for more than 100 years. However, we could not help but hear and respond to the cry of the delegates regarding increasing hotel rates.
COGIC.com: What were Saints saying about the rates?
Supt. Wells: For years rates were too high. Saints were paying full service hotel prices for hotels that were not full service in Memphis during the Holy Convocation. We felt that the Church Of God In Christ members who visited Memphis during the Convocation should have received more affordable prices. However, the hotel community would not cooperate with the Church when we voiced our concerns. The Church Of God In Christ and its delegates believed that we deserve better concessions given that we have an economic impact on the City of Memphis annually of a minimum of $35 million.
COGIC.com: Is the Church Of God In Christ Headquarters going to relocate?
Supt. Wells: No. The headquarters will remain in Memphis. There has been speculation with rumors of moving to Los Angeles. However, this rumor is false and is far from the Presiding Bishop’s desire. Memphis will continue to be the headquarters for daily business regarding the Church Of God In Christ affairs.
COGIC.com: Is it possible that the COGIC Holy Convocation will return back to Memphis after 2010?
Supt. Wells: It is our prayer that Memphis will work with the Church so that we can bring our Holy Convocation back to Memphis as soon as possible. We want to be in Memphis, because of history and our love for this city. There are many cities with far better accommodations regarding hotels and convention facilities and services. However, the Presiding Bishop and General Board feel that if the rates are affordable and the Memphis Convention and Visitor’s Bureau gives us the concessions we feel we are due, we can come to a mutual agreement and return to our spiritual Jerusalem.
COGIC.com: Whose decision was it to leave Memphis?
Supt. Wells: The initial decision to leave Memphis was that of the Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. and the General Board after much deliberation and negotiation with the City of Memphis and the hotel community. There were several meetings with Kevin Kane, John Oris, Former Memphis Mayor Herenton and Shelby County Mayor Wharton. We felt it imperative to meet with both the Memphis and hotel leadership to make our plea with them all on behalf of the entire Church. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in negotiating with them to acquire what we felt the Church and its constituents deserved. So, the Presidium voted to move, then took it before the General Assembly and the general assembly made the final decision. The General Assembly is chaired by former City of Memphis Mayor, Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr.
COGIC.com: What benefits will the Saints receive in St. Louis?
Supt. Wells: One of the main benefits is the affordable rates. The average rate overall the city of St. Louis has offered the Church is $120 a night for the 2010 Holy Convocation. Now, in addition to affordable rates, St. Louis has offered discounted parking at the hotels, discounted meals not only at the hotels but the America Center, and the opportunity to have all of our Convocation activities in one venue. Where in the city of Memphis, we have to use several venues: Temple of Deliverance Church Of God In Christ, FedEx Forum, Pentecostal Temple and the Cook Convention Center. Some of these venues were used simultaneously for some events. Plus, the city of St. Louis is providing the Church with revenue that the city of Memphis does not. These are just a few of the benefits that we will receive from the city of St. Louis. The City of St. Louis and its Hotel Association are working with the Church in every way possible. They want us in St. Louis.
COGIC.com: What is the overall goal for the COGIC for the annual Holy Convocation?
Supt. Wells: The goal for the COGIC Convocation has always been and will continue to be spiritual renewal, education and training of its delegates.
Facts about America’s Center
- Located in the heart of downtown St. Louis
- 502,000 square-feet of prime exhibit space
- 83 flexible meeting rooms, six contiguous exhibit halls
- 28,000 square-foot ballroom
- 1,411-seat Ferrara Theatre
- Renovated St. Louis Executive Conference Center
- Credit Cards Accepted: All major credit cards accepted.
- Facility Location Setting: The Edward Jones Dome is located in downtown St. Louis, near the St. Louis Museum of Art, Science Center, Gateway Arch, restaurants, nightlife, hotels, and other attractions.
- Max Number of People for an Event: 12000
- Nearest Airport: 11-15 miles
- Nearest Airport: 17-24 km
- Nearest Overnight Accommodations: Less than 1 mile
- Nearest Overnight Accommodations: Less than 2 km
- Nearest Public Transportation: Less than 1 mile
- Nearest Public Transportation: Less than 2 km
- Number of Event/Function Spaces: 118
- Number of On-Site Restaurants: 2
- Parking: Parking Open Lot Off-site
- Proximity of Neighboring Golf Course: 6-10 miles
- Proximity of Neighboring Golf Course: 9-16 km
- Seating Capacity: 70000
- Special Features: The Edward Jones Dome provides multiple stadium configurations that can seat up to 70,000 people. Seating levels include: a private luxury suite level, a private club seat and luxury suite level, a concourse level, and terrace level.
- Total Exhibit Space (Square Feet): 502,000
- Total Exhibit Space (Square Meters): 46,637.3
- Total Meeting Room Space (Square Feet): 162,472
- Total Meeting Room Space (Square Meters): 15,094.1
- Year Built: 1995
I believe that the COGIC is going to be a blessing to the Saint Louis Missouri area. Maybe a multitude of people will be led to this christian faith and be blessed naturally and spiritually. My desire is to be there next year. God Bless You.
I have never paid $110 for a room in Memphis. Attendence have been going down which will drive down the rates. I wonder will St. Louis allow us to park illegal around the convention center or have $5.00 parking. Also.just on Piccidly, No Catfish Cabin, No Chow Now, where will eat. Good news is, we may get back to God now that we will get away from tradition
Fast, Watch,and Pray,Where ever we go to fellowship and worship God,remember,we are all striving for the same thing. To go Home with Jesus when he comes. God Bless You
I have lived in St. Louis for 1 1/2 yrs, but have been in COGIC for more than 40 year. I have travelled to Memphis to the Convocation many times and when I went this year the price for the hotel in which I stay was more than twice the normal rate and the hotel was almost a dump. The saints need to experience St. Louis and St. Louis needs to experience the saints. It is a city with one one of the oldest COGIC churches in our brotherhood (101 yrs. old) and the saints love the Lord and the church. I too thank God for Bishop Blake and the General Board and their keen insight into the challenges the people of God are faced with today. Its like being in a relationship, sometimes one of the parties begin to take advantage of the other and something has to be done to stimulate the interest of the other party, if the relationship is to be continued. We pray that this action will cause the leaders in Memphis to rethink their position in allowing the hotels to raise their rates more than two times the normal rate and clean up the city when the saints come marching into town.
great move bishop!!!!!!!!! MEMPHIS facilities cook seating 10,150 fed-ex 20,000 mason temple 3,732, Temple of Deliverance 4,500 grand total of 38,382 seats in 4 locations. ST.LOUIS edward jones dome 70,000 seats which is attached to convention center 1 location!!!!! memphis 20,000 hotel rooms in greater memphis area vs. 35,000 rooms in st. louis close to downtown!!!!!!! more rooms better rates.. ill be there cause Jesus will be there!!!!!!
Praise the Lord Saints Well it has come to my attention about the COGIC moving to St.Louis..Although i am APOSTOLIC baptized in Jesus Name I feel that there is a need for me to say at least something. I don’t think that God has it in his plan to move to St.Louis if it was God’s will don’t you think he would have spoken to Bishop mason when he was in little rock arkanas for him to go to St.Louis he would have went..God had a work for Bishop Mason to Go to Memphis not to St.louis..When we began to move out and do things Under the Flesh then we walk out of gods will. The general board is making all your decisons and that is why bishop mason was such an objector to the general board..What happened to God’s imput? What happened to the 8 hours of prayer in order to see if God wanted his church moved.God had his work in MEMPHIS not St.Louis. You will never learn to trust God if you never stay in the Test LOng. God can’t bless his people if they keep running from there test, he will do nothing but keep you in it longer..I have never been to convocation in st.LOuis i have always been to the one in memphis.. But i am sad to say that i will no longer be attending it because of the move its not that i don’t want to drive it’s the fact that God didn’t have his work in St.Louis it was in MEMPHIS where it should Stay.. The word did say that there will be a great falling away before his coming and that they will not endure SOUND DOCTRINE..THis goes out to all those bishop’s on the General Board who is just going with the flow DON”T LET THAT GOING WITHT THE FLOW SEND YOU TO HELL OR AN EARLY JUDGEMENT WITH GOD. He is holding everyone in account. THe bible did say obey them that have rule over you DO that But don’t be Going with things you know are wrong in your sight and God’s But none the Less I pray that God Keeps you in his Power. Acts 2:38 “38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ephesians 4-6
4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Will miss Memphis!
Change is needed and is good. God Bless the leadership of our church
Bro. Brandon, thank you for your stats; I’m with you. This seems like a no-brainer. If we don’t move, then I’m going to get confused, better still I will know for sure that we are no longer worshipping a true and living God but our idolgod call Memphis, TN and the roots of our hertiage. So let’s thank God for Bishop Blake and the Grand old church that can recognize true worship and worshippers of Christ our Lord and Saviour…. Also, join me each week day in the prayer room 6-7a.m.CST to get a word to send pain away…. Fresh Delicious bread from the throne room…. C YA!!!
As a hotelier in Memphis that was not involved in the decision to continue to increase rate I want to thank you all for the business you have given Memphis over these many years. This was my first year here and COGIC was a blessing to see and have in my hotel. The people who stayed in our hotel were kind and you could see that the light of God shines from each of you (and the women were beautiful in every way).
We will miss you terribly and in speaking with my employees, housekeepers and servers who have no say in this decision, they will miss you greatly. You were a blessing to them in many ways.
I wish you all the best in St. Louis and thank God’s grace that I got to meet all of you before you moved.
Warmly,
shay
GM
Holiday Inn Select Memphis Poplar
Brother William J Johnson say what is best for the church is best for all of us.
Praise the Lord. We are looking forward to going to St. Louis and being in the midst of a sanctified, Holy Ghost filled service with thousands of saints from all over the world. I am especially looking forward to staying in a decent affordable hotel without it being 10-15 miles away from the central meeting place. Thank God for forward thinking leaders who are not only concerned about our souls but also our wallets!!
Love it!! thank God for change
I’m sure everyone that had something to do with the decision prayed about and got an answer from GOD – RIGHT?
I read the supt. comments about who made the decision and he referenced that at some point in the scheme of things “the general assembly”. Well, which one was that? I don’t recall being asked anything by anyone!!!
I’m just saying, it sounds like politics to me! You know, how they tell you what issue “YOU” are supposedly concerned about; then they place it on a ballot that is laced with what ifs, perhaps and maybe’s, oh and the could be’s that just pop up as a result of voting for proposal no 1b that is linked to proposal 2029z…
“LET’S GET BACK TO THE BIBLE”…WHEREVER WE GO. However, please don’t tell me what I voted for. Just say, you’re going to do it and let’s do what we’re called to do – WHEREVER THAT IS.
FINALLY – I agree, GOD BLESS THE CHILD – COGIC – SAINTS THAT HAS HER/HER, ITS, THEIR OWN!!!
One hundred twenty on average per night is not better than Memphis overall. I agree that if we want to make ourself more credible, build and develop our own. Lord knows that after years of selling lotion for saints center, various rallies, numerous events and offerings we the COGIC should have something to show other than fancy clothes and making multi-millionaires out of leaders. Time to care about the people and invest in us and not splitting every dollar that comes across the table. Let’s get fiscally responsible.
I will be there.
I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CONVOCATION IN ST. LOUIS. MAY THE GLORY OF THE LORD REST IN THE AMERICA’S CENTER COMPLEX THAT WEEK OF NOVEMBER 8-16, 2010.
I think this is a remarkable move….Change isnt always easy…but its necessary for growth…everything must change nothing stays the same!!!!
Cat-OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 7, 2009…what do you mean by mature about Deut. 22:5??? God Bless the saints.
why is that the convocation need so many facilities
God bless you, I’m the Supt. Isaac Pimentel, Pastor of Central Church of God in Christ Church in the Dominican Republic, I love watching the convention on the internet did not miss a single service, I have never come to our convention, although my father if the Supt. Francisco Osvaldo Pimentel, and told me how God is MUEB at our party, I hope in God to go next year.
I believe that change is needed and often required, however, the hotel rates are not overall cheaper. Why is that?
Anthony Smith…this is not a billboard for your free advertising for apostolics. This is a forum for your opinion about the move from memphis to st.louis. Maybe God wants to do something in St.Louis. What does moving to a different venue/city have to do with going to hell. Some people are too deep for their own good. Why are you even on this site if you don’t believe what cogic people believe. Quoting scripture and being biased toward the “Onenes” is not what this is about. This is a tremendous move to get the secular world to stop taking advantage of the saints. The only way you can get most people’s attention is thru their money!!! Instead of sending the General Board to hell and quoting scripture that does not have a direct corrolation to what we are talking about…you should pray and ask God to help save those in St.Louis and everyway who need to hear the gospel. Your post is biased and based on your beliefs as an apostolic. Not the issue at hand. Moving the convention to another location. It is a sad shame when you can condemn us when it does not benefit you. WOW!!! All the comments on here were positive except yours. and the ones who don’t agree still had the decency to stay positive about it. Go vent somewhere else. Be Blessed. and i will see yall in St.Louis…LOL
Anthony Smith…this is not a billboard for your free advertising for apostolics. This is a forum for your opinion about the move from memphis to st.louis. Maybe God wants to do something in St.Louis. What does moving to a different venue/city have to do with going to hell. Some people are too deep for their own good. Why are you even on this site if you don’t believe what cogic people believe. Quoting scripture and being biased toward the “Onenes” is not what this is about. This is a tremendous move to get the secular world to stop taking advantage of the saints. The only way you can get most people’s attention is thru their money!!! Instead of sending the General Board to hell and quoting scripture that does not have a direct corrolation to what we are talking about…you should pray and ask God to help save those in St.Louis and everyway who need to hear the gospel. Your post is biased and based on your beliefs as an apostolic. Not the issue at hand. Moving the convention to another location. It is a sad shame when you can condemn us when it does not benefit you. WOW!!! All the comments on here were positive except yours. and the ones who don’t agree still had the decency to stay positive about it. Go vent somewhere else. Be Blessed. and i will see yall in St.Louis…
Change is many times necessary to produce a better plan for the people of God. I look forward to COGIC owning and operating it’s own convention faciilites that would generate income to assist in sustaining the vision of the Church of God In Christ, Inc.
Thank God for Bishop Blake, governing body, and members at large for listening to the voice of God by making a decision that will enhance the spiritual growth and fellowship of believers.
I am looking forward to the move.Great God, Great Vison, Great Accomplishments,Great Bishop.
I think we should be careful in ALWAYS questioning the Lord’s leaders in every decision that is made. Why don’t we just follow the Lord’s leading and, if the decision is not the right one, allow the Lord to deal with the rest.
I’m soooooo looking forward to going to St. Louis…For so many years many of us have desired change because we felt we were getting short changed in Memphis…So, TO GOD BE THE GLORY…
I am so dissapointed about the move. I moved to Memphis a month ago. I was so excited that I would finally have a chance to attend the conventio. Wow….
At any rate, I support my leaders decision to move.
Some of the older Saints from the Friendship Church Of God In Christ in Port Arthur Texas are yet planning to go to the National Convocation services in St. Louis Missouri. I am hoping to be there also. The COGIC is making great accomplishments for the world to see. All we need is to have faith in God. May God be with you all till we meet again.
I’M ALL FOR EXERCISING OUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE AND DEMAND BETTER TREATMENT, HOWEVER COULDN’T WE HAVE GONE TO A STATE WHOSE CLIMATE IS WARMER.