Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. said he is overjoyed to return to St. Louis once again for the Church of God in Christ’s 106th Holy Convocation, to be held November 4-12 at the America’s Center.
“St. Louis has been so hospitable,” Blake said. “The people have been so kind. The leaders of the city have been so accommodating and receptive to us.”
He described Convocation – held in St. Louis since 2010 – as an “in-gathering of the saints.” More than 40,000 faithful are expected to attend this year.
“They come together for biblical instruction, for inspiration, for worship, to share with one another and to support the Church of God in Christ itself,” Blake said.
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is the largest African-American Pentecostal denomination in the United States with nearly 6.5 million members in 60 nations on five continents.
This year’s Convocation theme – “Experiencing the Power of Jesus Christ, Pursuing His Mission and His Righteousness” – was taken from the book of Philippians.
The convention will include COGIC Cares, an outreach program for the St. Louis community. One such COGIC Cares event will be a job fair featuring more than 30 employers to be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, November 8 in the America’s Center atrium.
“Recruiters will be hiring qualified applicants that day,” Blake said.
COGIC also will host a three-day Health and Wellness Fair, November 7-9. Dolores J. Gunn, M.D., director of the St. Louis County Department of Health and a COGIG member, will oversee the event.
Health screenings will be conducted, in addition to health and nutrition seminars. Information will be available on the Affordable Care Act, and American Red Cross representatives will be on hand accepting blood donations.
You don’t have to be a member of a COGIC church to attend the public fairs. “All you have to do is show up,” Blake said.
Other events include a community clean-up day on the 47-4800 blocks of Leduc and Hammett in North St. Louis’ 4th Ward, COGIC’s Christmas in November and a visit to a local jail.
“The jail visitation, of course, is just a ministry to individuals who are incarcerated, to show them our love, our concern and to express to them the love of God,” Blake said.
Blake will deliver the Convocation’s official message 10 a.m. Sunday, November 10 before what is expected to be the convention’s largest crowd.
COGIC has hosted its Convocation in St. Louis since 2010. Previously, it was held every year in Memphis, Tenn., where COGIC is headquartered.
“It came to the point where Memphis could no longer accommodate us,” Blake said.
According to the St. Louis Convention and Visitor’s Commission, COGIC’s annual meeting generates an estimated $35 to 40 million for the regional economy.
St. Louis is currently contracted to host the convention through 2016, though Blake expects for the city to compete to renew the contract. “Of course,” Blake said, “we feel, and would hope, that St. Louis will continue to make wonderful proposals to us.”
In addition to the hospitality experienced at recent Convocations, he spoke of the denomination’s extensive local history in St. Louis. He said, “Many great churches and some of our great bishops are there.”
For more information, visit www.cogic.org/holyconvocation/.
Follow this reporter on Twitter @BridjesONeil.
