“My soul is on fire!” said Mother Rosetta Watts, State Supervisor of Women, at Sunday’s official worship service. Hundreds of churchgoers and local officials seemed to have felt the same way as they gathered to mark the end of a week-long regional convocation held at Williams Temple Church of God in Christ (COGIC) celebrating 52 years of history.
Church leaders of the Eastern Missouri Western Illinois (EMWI) Jurisdiction came together to commemorate the convocation’s theme: “We Are Called to Minister and Witness to a Deeply Distressed and Troubled World.”
Among the EMWI officials present were Prelate and General Board member Bishop Lawrence Wooten, Administrative Assistant Elmer Goodlow, Superintendent Henry Clark, Superintendent Gary McClain, Pastor John Woodard, Superintendent Darnell Sanders, Pastor Lloyd Gardner, Administrative Assistant Marvin Sanders and Auxiliary Bishop Designee Nathaniel Ellis.
“Over 40 churches in our jurisdiction, and also visiting churches and officials from all over the country, came together to celebrate,” said Bishop Wooten, who is also pastor of Williams Temple.
Visiting officials and churchgoers alike watched with pride as the Jurisdictional Mass Choir and praise dance team, Praise in Motion, showcased their talents.
Bishop Wooten brought the official message to a temple filled with excitement during the highpoint of the service.
He said his goal for the evening was “to reach out and witness. I prayed and asked God to come forth to heal and deliver in a great and mighty way. I feel that the people are His sheep, and I’m just His under-shepherd. I have to mind how I tend God’s sheep.”
The service concluded with the ordination of Gregory McKinze, Dwight Lucas and Antonio Edwards.
For the entire week, Williams Temple hosted various convocation events, including daily workshops and evening services led by visiting bishops. As First Lady Shirley Wooten explained, the week consisted of “day classes and sessions and also evening preaching and teaching.”
Visiting bishops included Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake and Ocie Booker, Prelate of First Jurisdiction-Illinois. Bishop Blake delivered the Word of the Lord on Friday, following a youth high praise service and banner march led by Pastor Lloyd Gardner of Victory Temple COGIC.
Saturday’s agenda included Sunday School classes under the leadership of State Sunday School President Mother Jean Gardner and an outdoor service. There was also a free community clothing giveaway to help those in need.
Members dedicated their Saturday to giving away “clothes and shoes that we had been collecting for a while,” said First Lady Wooten.
“It’s troubled all over the world. Our job is help in whatever way we can – spiritually, physically and emotionally,” said Bishop Wooten.
The convocation did help the worshippers, he said.
“It has been really like revival, night after night,” said Bishop Wooten. “People have been saved. People have had their lives changed; they’ve given their hearts to Jesus. Bodies have been healed, and people have recommitted to their work and to God.”
“This has been the greatest,” added Administrative Assistant Elmer Goodlow, Pastor of Roseview COGIC.
The main mission of the Convocation was “to proclaim the good news of the Gospel to a dying world,” said Bishop Wooten. He said those who participated had the chance to “pray for us and be a part of what God is doing.”
Marissa Price is a St. Louis American intern from Saint Louis University. Follow her on Twitter @missmprice12.
