The Rev. Bessie M. Brown, member of the Revival Center Church of God in Christ and local jail ministry volunteer, organized the COGIC: Convocation Peace March during the Church of God in Christ’s 106th Holy Convocation, held in St. Louis November 4-12.
Brown teamed up on the march and jail visits with personnel from three departments within the Church of God In Christ: COGIC Urban Initiatives, Prison Ministry and the International Department of Evangelism. They were also joined by a dozen or more members from local congregations.
“The Bible says, ‘Without a vision the people perish,’” Brown said. “And God impressed upon my heart to coordinate this march. I’m grateful to Him for using me for His service.”
They gathered at Soldiers’ Memorial Park at the corner of Market and Tucker on Friday, November 8, before trekking less than a block to the St. Louis Justice Center. Police escorts halted traffic as marchers crossed Tucker Boulevard singing “I’m a Soldier in the Army of the Lord,” capturing the attention of passers-by.
A ceremony commenced on the Justice Center’s steps, where Chaplain Milton Rochford, executive director of Jail and Prison Ministry, COGIC Urban Initiatives, made brief remarks. He said the purpose of the event was to carry out COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr.’s “vision” to reduce recidivism and the disproportionate incarceration rate of African Americans and Hispanics.
After the ceremony, the marchers filed into the Justice Center, where they were allowed to tour each cellblock and minister to inmates housed there.
“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.
The jail ministry concluded at the St. Louis City Workhouse, a medium-security institution located on North Hall Street. One COGIC member held during the march that read “Jesus came to seek and save the lost” from the Book of Matthew 18:11.
“That’s the focal point of every preacher, to be concerned about the lost,” Brown said.
World Youth Day
World Youth Day, held the following day at the America’s Center, got off to a rocking start. Worshippers jumped to their feet and danced in the aisles to the praise song “I’ve Come to Clap My Hands.”
“There’s no church like the Church of God In Christ,” said Pastor Benjamin Stephens III, president of the International Youth Department.
Stephens and Evangelist Joyce L. Rodgers, chairlady of the International Youth Department, officiated the service that also featured young preachers and evangelists.
The service took on a more serious overtone, at one point addressing anti-bullying, depression and suicide prevention.
“It’s not a fun topic to talk about, and it’s certainly not a church topic,” said Mark Norwine, a bullying prevention special programs coordinator with CHADS Coalition for Mental Health.
“But, I’m a Christian and I know that with most issues the church has a better chance of solving our problems.”
