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’m looking foward to the convocation coming to my hometown and saints experiencing our hospitality. Those who are attending the convocation/revival this year, you are going to be in for a treat. Saint Louis has an historic past in COGIC, many great leaders have come from our city. Bostick Temple COGIC is one of our churches that has been around for 101 or 102 years and has a long history in COGiC. We are excitied about hosting the convocation, as my Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten always says “the best is in the Midwest”…See you here
All change is not good; and all change is not ordained of God, no matter how “convenient” it might appear to be! We are not called to “truly worship” God out of “convenience,” but out of SACRIFICE and FAITH!!!!
Where is our faith?
And when the Saints start chasing “money” and “convenience,” where will the chase end?
i justs wanted to comment on this apostlic saint on here giving us advice talkng about what did God tell Bishop Mason he told him to go into all the world and preach the gospel not just memphis. get your own organizationtogether because your not cogic. Get on your organizations form or news flash yall dont have one instead of coming to ours step your website up. But dont disrespect my church or my leaders thats why yall have split so many times over dumb stuff.
This is for my brother cogicforlife all your message was about was how we dont play shouting music as long and how the people dont dance as much God is bigger than a Dance when the power of God comes in its not just to make you shout bro now ill shout with the best of them ijm a praiser to my heart but it seems like if the best thing you can get out of our services is a dance and a sweaty suit somethings wrong bra. an the choir kept singing the same songs we were so stuck in tradition dr mcallistor is a great worship leader and she knows how to war far in the spirit not just have church she knows what shes doing my bra im glad we gettin out of memphis i love memphis and im glad i was able to all these years but in order to get away from all that tradition it was time to go
Greetings in the name of Jesus. The bible say pray for kings, rulers and those that are in authority. I thank God for our leader and as Paul stated follow me as I follow Christ. I will do the same. I concur to the move and will wait on the Lord to move in our directions. Our Bishop is NOT selfish, small minded, or greedy and I truly believe he has the interest of this grand ole church at heart. If one can chase 1000, my God, what can All of us do together?
Bishop thank you for your message preached last year in Detroit. Also thank you for giving the women a chance and accepting our call unto God in the ministry. Realizing we are more than just money raisers, which we do very well. Thank God for Mother Rivers and good leadership. I believe God gave US a leader after his own heart, as so he did in the late Bishop G.E. Patterson. God Bless and give Our Church favor Again. And Whatever you do Lord in THIS Season, don’t do it without US. I pray for All our Leaders. We will continue to pray for Memphis and any future endeavors. Proverbs 3:5-6 is always food for thought.
I was on the gateway arch in 2003 and it was great. It is just impressiv what was build there. And the museum is worth a look.
Little in minds in God will never enbrace the exceedingness of God to expand our outreach to other states and cities becasue we become too confortable with the norm. Well, if this was the case, the church would still be in Jeruselem. Let us be reminded that we are the Head and not the tail of any one leadership. Memphis cannot dictate to the Church but the Church to Memphis. Lastly, to those who are called to be Saints in God, follow leadership and Pray.
Bishop Mason founded the CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST in Memphis, TN. Therefore, Holy Convocation should stay in where it is.
I have a very serious problem in my church. Everything I say and do is biblical. I was not raised in COGIC BUT there is a serious problem that I am going through that is not my fault, but It is hindering me from participating from singing in the choir. PLease Respond.
Bless God for his mercy! Some of the Saints of God have never been able to afford to go to Memphis… But now, just maybe those who have never been to the Convocation, will have this wonderful opportunity to experience the Glory of Lord right in St. Louis.
Memphis folks you will now have the exprerience of catching a flight, driving your car, renting a car or van pooling with others to the “Holy Convocation”… Obtaining a room and moving in an unfamilar area finally, and after 100 plus years, why, you have been all too blessed to have never left home. I welcome the change, this will be the best thing ever happen to Holy Convocation! Hope they decide to take it to yet another place after the time has expired at St. Louis.
$120 per night for a room it this climate is yet a hardship, but much better that last years room rates. (for the non-working class and working class folks)…
God strenghten our leaders to follow the leading of the Lord and to know when the saints are being ripped off!
I just happen to go online to find out information regarding the 60th Women’s Conference and was saddened to read some of the comments. I am new to COGIC and to be honest have not joined because there seems to be more emphasis on rules and standards than God’s word. Nothing stays the same; everything must change; God’s word is about restoration and renewal; that applies to the body of Christ and the business of Christ. It sounds and appears that a sound business decision was made after careful thought and prayer by the executive team to benefit God’s people and the organization as a whole. Holy Convocation should be about God’s business and worship instead of where it’s being held. As long as the Holy Spirit is there it does not matter where it’s held. My prayer is one day women will be looked upon as equals in COGIC as it is quite male denomiated. I respect Bishop Blake for the appointments of women he has made over the past year and pray this will continue. I live in Los Angeles and am looking forward to attending and learning more about the COGIC Women’s organization.
I Thank God for true leadership, my leaders. God has given them the vision for growth. I feel blessed to have a founder who had the people at heart during his appointment. However God has given us a leader who has used his divine wisdom from God to do greater things. I thank God for his love of people God that allows him to care about other and love others outside of himself. I believe he has the people and God will and plan at heart. For that reason god is going to bless and favor the saint this year in a mighty way. When move watch God move. I am not talking about just the natural move but a move of maturity in the spirit as well. Let us stay prayerful and full of love in our deeds toward one another.
$120 per night is NOT a deal. Other conventions are getting the $99 rate. Could it be that we have the rate but the National Church has inflated the rates to include a $20 rebate per night that will go to help offset the convention cost. If so, the church needs to be transparent so we can appreciate the change. Something does not seem right here. There has to be more than the benefits spoken by Suot. Wells. I wish we knew the truth it would make us all free.
I DON’T THINK THE HOTEL RATES WILL BE TOO CHEAP. FOR EXAMPLE YOU CAN NOT STAY IN A 4 OR 5 STAR HOTEL FOR 50 DOLLARS. I MEAN COME ON. MOST OF THE HOTELS INCLUDE A FULL BREAKFAST, PLUS OTHER BENEFITS. IT REALLY DON’T MATTER TO ME BECAUSE I WANT TO STAY WHERE IT’S CLEAN AND THE MANAGER AND STAFF TAKE PRIDE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT. I’M SURE YOU CAN FIND SOME HOTELS OR MOTELS THERE IN THE CITY THAT OFFER A VERY LOW RATE, BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO COMPROMISE SOMETHINGS. THE WAY I SEE IT IS THAT I HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE HOLY CONVOCATION SINCE I WAS A TEENAGER AND NOW I’M 46 YEARS OLD. I’M NOT GOING TO LET THE PRICE OF A HOTEL STOP ME FROM GOING AND ENJOYING THE LORD WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. IT’S CALLED PLANNING! WHEN I LEFT MEMPHIS LAST YEAR; I STARTED PLANNING FOR ST. LOUIS THIS YEAR. I LOOK FORWARD TO A HOLY GHOST GOOD TIME IN THE LORD IN A CITY I NEVER BEEN BEFORE. I,M NOT GOING TO MISS MY BLESSING OVER SMALL THINGS. BE BLESSED AND I WILL SEE YOU IN ST. LOUIS
@ Dan…True, all change is not good but we as Christians can truly say that there have been some “changes” we’ve made that weren’t ordained by God. From reading what Superintendent Wells had to say it definately sounds that this is not meant to be a permanant move.
@ Min William Robinson….you don’t know me sir and neither do I know you but I read your comment posted on March 22, 2010 at 3:10 pm directed to the “apostlic saint” as you called them. I must say, I’m disappointed to hear you stoop to someone else’s level especially with the title MINISTER before your name. I mean is this what COGIC is all about; an “organization” not ministry or God’s church !
@ Linda…I’m with you 100%. I’m new to COGIC as of March 2010. I’ve been in the church all my life but my husband is COGIC so I moved with him. It’s time out for putting “religion & tradition” ahead of ministering to the lost souls. The spirit of God is omnipresent. So whether convocation was held in Memphis or St. Louis, so what, the Spirit of God is there !
Since the convocation is moving to St. Louis will Bishop Blake and others who make this decision consider one day having convocation is Richmond, Virginia?
Mother Theresa I agree with you, those rates really do not sound discounted still, I live in MS and I’ve had the good pleasure of hearing Supt Wells in a few of our meetings and if he say the rates are a certain price then that’s what they are – that’s my belief. Whatever the price, if God allows, I’ll be there.
How can I secure handicap seating for my husband, Elder Roosevlet Brice during the Holy Convocation 2010?
so many comments about the HOLY CONVOCATION.I thank GOD that the saints can come togeaher where ever it may be,to talk of GOD goodness and blessing.Iam so glade to be a part of the church of GOD in CHRIST. My pray to GOD is that we may all be one, you are my Holy family and my love for all of you is true,we have different thoughts and thats fine but let us not forget our job in this Holy way and that is to preach the gospel,bind up the broken hearts and set the capitive free.So where we go they will know us by our fruits,that we have love one to another. Keep me in your prays. Those that are lead by the spirit are the sons and daughters of GOD!
Responding to Linda’s concern about male dominance in the COGIC. Let us remember that it was God who said the head of every man is God and the head of the woman is the man. In Genesis 1st chapter, 26 verse God made man to have dominion over everything that was in the earth, then God put Adam into a deep sleep, took out one of hes ribs and made the woman (Gen 2:21,22). We as saints of the most high God are all ambassadors of the Lord, but let us (women) be mindful that our calling is sure; especially if you feel that you have been called as a Bishop or Pastor. Surely women of God who minister the word do not have a problem subjecting to male authority; seeing that our God is a He?
There is so many discouraged about the move from Memphis,I would like to know when are the saints going to trust God.Memphis is where God sent Bishop Mason.Why cannot C.O.G.I.C, going to trust God for the land to build,where is the vision,God owns everything, and we as saints should be praying for our own Hotels, malls,restaurants,theirs enough land in Memphis to build a saints city.ask God for directions.he is our source.I pray for whoever has the vision, and the connection,to ask God for the land in Memphis.all these years putting money somewhere else.I would love to see a C.O.G.I.C in Memphis,I BELIEVE GOD.
I am happy that the convocation is moving to St Louis, Mo., my hometown… I am sure that the people of God will be truly blessed by this move… I love the humble spirits of the people in St Louis the airport and hotels have some of the most courtesy people in the world… I pray for all who are traveling and hope to join as well… God Bless…