The Church of God in Christ’s 2010 Convocation being held here November 8 through 16 is expected to draw 40,000 worshippers and large revenues to St. Louis.
“It’s estimated the Church of God in Christ will bring $20 million to $30 million to the city where our conferences are held,” said Charles E. Blake, the presiding bishop for the Church of God in Christ.
Bishop Blake pastors a church in Los Angeles with 24,000 members and is the presiding bishop of the 6.5 million member Church of God in Christ (COGIC). According to him, the convocation has much to offer the city.
“It acquaints thousands of people from around the world with the city of St. Louis, which is important especially when they consider it when they travel again. It enhances the image of St. Louis,” Blake said.
“Finally, we are a spiritual institution and we bring a time of spiritual emphasis to whatever city that the convocation is in. As we move around the city, hopefully we will be a moral and spiritual blessing to the city of St. Louis.”
For the past 102 years the convocation has been held in Memphis, but for the 103rd convocation, the annual event is being held outside of Memphis for the first time, moving to St. Louis at the America’s Center.
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) signed a contract with the City of St. Louis to host the convocation for the next three years.
Along with using America’s Center for this year’s convocation, which is expected to be the largest Church of God in Christ conference of the year, 19 hotels have been booked with conference guests for the week. Bishop Blake also expects that retail stores and shopping malls will benefit from the conference.
“Many of our people are from small towns who don’t have the latest in apparel, and usually our people take this time to shop for what may not be available in their hometowns,” Bishop Blake said.
While the Church of God in Christ has members across the globe, the majority of members from the United States are African Americans, which could afford a large benefit for black-owned businesses in St. Louis.
“We will have an opportunity for entrepreneurs,” Blake said.
“There will be an exhibition area where more than 1,500 entrepreneurs will set up their businesses in the America’s Center. I also understand that there will be a food court where they can have an opportunity to set up restaurants to provide food for saints as they go throughout their day.”
Overall, Bishop Blake wants the convocation to be a spiritual and economic blessing for the city. Another added benefit of the conference for St. Louis is that tax revenue for this week will help the city during the current economic downturn.
The week will consist of several church services and seminars, with speakers including, Bishop Blake, Bishop Noel Jones, Bishop T.D. Jakes and the Rev. Al Sharpton. Also they plan to get involved in service projects to aid those in need in the St. Louis community.
For more information about the convocation or to be a vender for the conference, visit www.cogic.org. Complete convocation listings also will be provided in an insert in next week’s St. Louis American.
