The EMWI (Eastern Missouri Western Illinois) Jurisdiction began their 52nd Annual Holy Convocation this past Monday with Superintendent Nelson Watts Jr. of El Bethel COGIC delivering the daily Word of the Lord. The evening was designated Holy Communion night.
The week-long 52nd Annual Holy Convocation consists of workshops for adults and children from 10am to noon, followed by an ‘Hour of Power’ praise break. Evening worship services are then held at 7 o’clock each night. This year’s theme is: “We Are Called to Minister and Witness to a Deeply Distressed and Troubled World.”
“We are excited to continue the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ in seeking and saving those who are lost. We gladly accept this mandate to proclaim the good news of the Gospel to a dying world,” said Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten, pastor of Williams Temple. Bishop Wooten also serves as prelate and COGIC general board member.
On Tuesday’s civic night, religious leaders from surrounding states and local and state civic leaders were on hand to celebrate the EMWI Jurisdiction’s 52-year history. Bishop Ocie Booker, First Jurisdiction-Illinois, gave a rousing speech followed by Marvin Sanders, pastor of Shiloh Temple COGIC, who delivered the Word on Wednesday.
Thursday, Women’s Day, brought Mother Rosetta Watts, Supervisor of Women, to the pulpit during the evening service.
Looking forward, Friday’s program agenda includes a youth high praise service from 6:30 to 7:30pm in the chapel, along with a spirited banner march. Pastor Lloyd Gardner of Victory Temple COGIC, coordinator and President of Young People Willing Workers (Y.P.W.W.), will be heading this event.
Also on Friday, COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, who also serves as chief apostle and pastor of West Angeles COGIC, will speak to churchgoers. Often regarded as an international humanitarian, Bishop Blake is founder and president of Save Africa’s Children. The organization has assisted over 300 grassroots and faith-based projects in sub-Saharan Africa, reaching over 90,000 AIDS affected children.
Saturday’s agenda includes Sunday School classes from 9 to 11am, under the leadership of State Sunday School President Mother Jean Gardner. The youth explosion and outdoor service will be held from 11am to 3pm. There will also be a free community clothing giveaway to help those in need.
“On Saturday, we have an outdoor service. We have clothes and shoes that we have collected for a while that we will give away for free,” said First Lady Shirley Wooten.
The convocation will officially convene on Sunday at 3:30pm with a “jam-packed” service, as First Lady Wooten described it. Various civic and religious leaders will be on hand to help celebrate. Bishop Wooten will preach at this official day of worship.
As the nation’s largest Pentecostal Holiness Christian denomination in the United States, COGIC is the fifth largest Christian denomination in the United States. Its worldwide membership is estimated to be between six and eight million members.
Williams Temple is located at 1500 Union Blvd, St Louis, MO 63113. All services are open to the community.
For more info, contact First Lady Shirley Wooten at (314) 583-0610 or ladywooten@sbcglobal.net or visit www.williamstemplecogic.net .
