The Church of God in Christ’s 103rd Holy Convocation has come and gone, almost taking over St. Louis from Nov. 8-15 when it was held outside of its home city of Memphis for the first time.
More than 40,000 of the COGIC faithful, known as “saints,” shared praise and worship and handled business within the highly structured COGIC organization.
Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, the entire 12-person COGIC General Board and most of its jurisdictional prelates from across the country were present in St. Louis for services and working sessions.
“It’s something amazing about being here and worshiping with my fellow delegates this week,” said Elder Edgar O. Madison Jr., a delegate of the Missouri Eastern First Jurisdiction of Bishop Robert J. Ward.
Delegates came to the America’s Center and Edward Jones Dome to hear inspirational messages and dynamic gospel music by national stars such as Donnie McClurkin and The Clark Sisters and COGIC’s own esteemed C.H. Mason International Mass Choir.
Nationally known pastors, like Bishop T. D. Jakes and Norman Hutchins, preached to huge gatherings, while bishops and elders from across the country fanned out across the metropolitan area to lead local congregations in worship.
On Friday the delegates separated for a Women’s Day Service led by Mother Willie Rae Rivers, International Supervisor of women, and a Men’s Day Service led by Bishop Darryl Hines.
Pastor and gospel singer Marvin Winans and actor Courtney B. Vance came to St. Louis in support of the Holy Convocation, which created a major buzz in black St. Louis throughout the week of activities.
COGIC is the largest African-American Pentecostal denomination in the U.S. and the fourth-largest Protestant denomination in North America. It is one of the fastest-growing Christian faiths in the world, with over 12,000 churches in the U.S. and nearly 6.5 million members in 60 nations on five continents.
A word with T.D. Jakes
Each day of the Holy Convocation, a pastor or evangelist spoke to the delegates as a group, and each day had a presiding theme.
On Wednesday, Nov. 10, T.D. Jakes focused on the theme “The King of Glory Shall Come In” while addressing an overflow crowd of some 10,000. Jakes told the saints how to continue moving forward and not look at mistakes of the past.
“Just because you lost what you had doesn’t mean you won’t get something better,” Jakes said.
“You’re on the verge of a new thing. If you hold on, the best is yet to come.”
Jakes gave insight on how things can be started in life, but not always finished as expected.
“Some things you’ll begin and your children will finish,” Jakes said.
“If you lost it, you didn’t need it. Your good days are ahead of you.”
Jakes ended his sermon hoping he had touched someone with the word of God.
“The Lord has given me a word,” Jakes said. “I have no hidden agenda. God has given me the word for somebody.”
‘Time to rise’
The late Pastor Walter Hawkins, who died in July from pancreatic cancer at the age of 61, was remembered touchingly late Friday night at the International Music Department Musical Extravaganza.
The night before, Donnie McClurkin gave a tribute to Hawkins, singing “Thank You, Lord” with Kim Burrell joining him.
Also on Thursday, Dorinda Clark-Cole ministered as much as she sang, with the theme of “Global Outreach and Missions.”
“You can’t get stuck where you are. God has not forgotten about you,” Clark-Cole said.
“You gotta keep on moving. You feel like you can’t make it through. It’s your time to rise.”
‘A way out of no way’
Pastor Norman Hutchins said he was honored to give the word of God at the 103rd Holy Convocation on Friday, Nov. 12. “God is awesome that way, and I will remember this for the rest of my life,” Hutchins said.
“Great Accomplishments” was the theme for Hutchins’ sermon. He focused on how delegates should be happy and on the challenges they have overcome.
“We must learn how to celebrate the accomplishments of our past and challenges of our future,” Hutchins said.
“God still made a way out of no way. It’s not over till God says its over. He’s everywhere.”
‘A special mission’
Sunday, Nov.14 was the official Lord’s Day of Worship, themed “A Revelation of God’s Glory,” with Presiding Bishop Blake giving his sermon to the COGIC delegates.
Before he spoke, Kim Burrell performed “Pray” with the C.H. Mason International Mass Choir.
Blake talked about what God has done for everyone and the universe.
“God is everywhere present, and He’s everywhere powerful. Whatever God has done, He’s still able to do it,” Blake said.
“We’re in God’s image. God is mindful and in love with you. He has chosen you in a way for a special mission.”
COGIC was the subject of much conversation and many social media messages in the St. Louis community during the spirit-filled convocation, with countless people testifying to feeling newly challenged and inspired in their faith.
Peachie Chatman, visiting from Ohio, said she enjoyed St. Louis and the Holy Convocation. She said the gathering inspired her to continue her personal growth and to form a business. Chatman said, “I’m inspired to move on forward on a personal and spiritual movement.”
COGIC is based in the historic Mason Temple in Memphis where the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “Mountaintop” speech on the eve of his assassination on April 3, 1968. COGIC will return to St. Louis for its Holy Convocation in 2012 and 2013.
Dana Williams, a delegate from Chicago, thought the move to St. Louis had been a success.
“I wasn’t sure how things would turn out in St. Louis, but really enjoyed
myself,” Williams said.
“The presiding bishop made a great decision. I’m definitely coming back next year.”
For more information, visit www.cogic.org.
