“God has blessed during our time in St. Louis,” said Church of God In Christ Presiding Bishop Charles Blake Sr. during service on Sunday, November 8 in the Edward Jones Dome.
As 25,000 saints came marching into the city for the 108th Holy Convocation from November 2-9, the church counted the region as one of the many things they were thanking God for in the midst of worship, praise, music, preaching, community service and a host of other activities.
Blake’s remarks came as he was preparing to present the Presiding Bishop’s Prestigious Award to Donald Crawford of Crawford Broadcasting Company for gifting radio station KSTL 690 AM to the COGIC church – where it will be folded into its Jubilee Broadcasting Company, which includes broadcast radio, internet radio and television.
“Not only has the city itself and the leaders of this city been considerate and kind, but the businesses, corporations and organizations in this city have also reached out in a very special way to show love and appreciation to us,” Blake said.
On the opening night of Convocation, Blake was presented with the key to the city by Mayor Francis Slay.
For the fourth year, the Memphis-based denomination held its annual convention in America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. Blake and his church have made themselves easy to love.
Their worship services and musical offerings bridged together several denominations of the faith community through high-profile guest speakers and musical performances.
Hundreds of hands waved throughout the Dome when Blake asked all non-COGIC visitors to make themselves known during the Friday service. COGIC gave them a rousing applause to welcome them into their space.
COGIC brought to St. Louis Bishop T.D. Jakes, Bishop Paul S. Morton and a list of gospel music superstars that stretched across generations – including Pastor Shirley Caesar and Tye Tribbett.
Jakes, who came to Convocation despite battling the flu and a back ailment, preached on “The Pain of Recovery” and seemed to encourage himself as much as the thousands who came to hear him.
Bishop Morton called on the audience to have “reckless faith” and proclaimed that “God is raising up a nation that is going to be water walkers.”
But their positive impact stretched well beyond the faith-based element and the sermons and songs that pierced the hearts of the Christian community.
According to COGIC, the 2015 Holy Convocation created an estimated $27 million economic impact for St. Louis.
Their spending is just a small portion of the positive reach that COGIC’s regional footprint over the course of Convocation.
“We had a huge job fair this year. We had a health fair. We had what’s called ‘Christmas in November,’ where we gave away food and clothing,” said Bishop Edwin Bass, interim COO of COGIC and pastor of the Empowered COGIC Church of Spanish Lake.
“We did a reading program with the St. Louis Public Schools and that was really well received. It’s great to see our church, reaching out to the community and not only having services – though they are critically important. We are also working to impact the quality of life of people here.”
They also conducted financial literacy programming this year.
“The Church of God in Christ goes there not only to share the gospel, but we go there to assist, to uplift and to help,” Blake said during Friday night services.
Thanks to a visit by stage and film star Denzel Washington as keynote speaker for their 14th Annual COGIC Cares Banquet, the scholarship and disaster relief fundraising effort was among the more visible.
“With this scholarship I plan to claim even more territory for the Kingdom of God, on our campus and beyond,” said Joshua Hawkins. “As a sophomore at Harvard University, I will carry His name in every classroom, in every boardroom, every internship and beyond.”
More than $50,000 in scholarships was awarded this year – in large part due to the smashing success of the banquet, which had to be moved across the street from America’s Center to the Marriott’s Majestic Ballroom to accommodate its audience.
But even with the star power, Blake and the saints made it clear that the biggest name in the building for Holy Convocation was Jesus.
“Our theme for this year is ‘Christ’s extreme sacrifice calls for our extreme commitment,’” Blake said. “Jesus suffered for all of us. He gave his life for us. If He loved us that much – to die for us – then we should love him enough to live for him.”
The church body hopes this theme ripples across the city.
“I hope that they take away that God is the answer to all of life’s challenges. I hope that they take away that God loves everyone,” Bass said.
“I hope our Church of God in Christ people take away that God’s favor is on our church and the leader of our church and that we have a leader who is concerned about every member of our church – and not only our church, but also the community at large. “
They also want the world to know that they are grateful for St. Louis being such a hospitable host for their historic convention – and that their presence is a mutual exchange of blessings.
They are committed to hold Convocation in St. Louis through 2019. Bass said that the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau is doing everything possible to ensure that COGIC continues to return to the city for “the foreseeable future.”
“What a blessing it is to be in St. Louis at our 108th Convocation,” said Mother Willie Mae Rivers during her annual service. “The Lord has been here with us.”
