The National C.O.G.I.C. Men Perfecting Men’s conference will be experiencing its 9^th year of Godly successes this upcoming year.  During the life of the conference, lives of thousands of men from across this country have changed. Our health and education components have literally saved the lives of those who where blessed to be given instruction, and the spiritual renewal of those who participated helped the many of communities and homes they returned to afterwards.

The 2010 conference will be held May 6-8^th in Chicago, IL.   At the conference, there will be power-packed classes that will revive the total man and give hope to every dark situation.  The power of God is flagrant in this conference. Each speaker has been given a unique anointing that will be disbursed on thousands of attendees.

 “God has given the Church Of God in Christ, as well as the entire world a unique opportunity that is shared through the implementation of the vision of our Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. to impact the lives of men so that there is an obvious demonstration of a financial, physical, social and spiritual metamorphosis, said Bishop Darrell L. Hines.

The Men Perfecting Men’s Conference is about encouraging men to be better fathers, sons, brothers, and friends, which is essential for building better homes, churches and communities.

 Bishop Hines is committed to serving this God-given vision with excellence and dedication.  Each year, he and his team bring better workshops, speakers and people to the conference.  The idea behind the conference is that whether men are laymen or clergy, they share common interests. The sharing relationship breaks down any social, age or professional status and reaffirms that all men are created equal in Christ.

 “The Church Of God In Christ plays an active and pastoral role in the lives of its men, competing with the real world for the souls, hearts and minds of men while attempting to win all to Christ,” said Presiding Bishop Blake.  “This is why conferences like this are so important.  In order for us to do the Lord’s will, we must edify our minds and bodies to be good temples for his Word to harvest.”

This year thousands of men of all ages are expected to attend the Men Perfecting Men’s conference.  Register you and your family today at www.cogic.com.

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

Church Of God In Christ members under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Meet In Memphis November 2 -10, 2009

Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake and members of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. (COGIC) are arriving in Memphis to worship and celebrate the 102nd Annual Holy Convocation, November 2 through November 10. More than 70,000 members are expected to convene in the city from around the world for the annual convention of the denomination.

Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. is the presiding bishop of the Church Of God In Christ. “Our Holy Convocation is a time for members of our denomination to reflect on the past year and become energized about the future,” said Blake. “We look forward to this year’s Convocation as we prepare to continue to extend our mission of bringing new believers into God’s kingdom. The theme for the convention is “All Things, All People, All Godly Strategies!”

The 102nd Church Of God In Christ Annual Holy Convocation will open with a time of fasting and prayer on Monday, November 2 beginning at 9 a.m. at Mason Temple. Major highlights of the Convocation include: the G.E. Patterson Morning Manna, the World Missions Emphasis, Women’s Observance Day, Men’s Conference, the Presiding Bishop’s Forum, Christmas in November, the COGIC Charities Banquet and the Official Convocation Day Service. A complete schedule of the Holy Convocation is attached.

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.

Church Of God In Christ 2009 Heritage Celebration & Loyalty Day Events to Benefit Education and Missions
Sunday, September 13th – - Annual Loyalty Day
Saturday, October 10th – World Missions Walk-a-thon  

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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