When the Church of God in Christ holds its 103rd convocation in St. Louis November 8-16, a spotlight will shine on Evangelist Tommie Marie Brown.
A member of the Kennerly Temple Church of God in Christ here in St. Louis, Brown will deliver the word of the Lord at the G.E. Patterson Morning Manna Devotional, themed “Great Vision: Global Outreach and Mission,” on November 11.
“As St. Louis’ very own to be represented for G.E. Patterson Morning Manna, it is a great honor to be selected by Bishop Blake,” Brown said.
Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, who pastors a church in Los Angeles, is the national leader of COGIC, which is based at Mason Temple in Memphis and has never held its convocation outside of its home city.
Some 40,000 worshippers are expected to attend the convocation in St. Louis.
Bishop Blake told The American he is filled with “joy and anticipation” for the convocation to come to St. Louis and for everyone to be under one roof at America’s Center praising God.
“We come together to be for God and strengthen our relationship with Him,” Blake said.
Brown is a St. Louis native with a background of helping others. She is a graduate of Sumner High School and St. Louis Community College and recently worked for the St. Louis Special School District. She is COGIC’s Jurisdiction Evangelist Elect-Lady of Eastern Missouri, First Evangelist Department.
“The enemy is destroyed when the saints come together in prayer and worship,” Brown said.
She also is excited to see the scheduled musical performances and guest preachers. Gospel artists such as The Clark Sisters and Donnie McClurkin will perform, and popular religious leaders such as Bishop T.D. Jakes will preach.
The convocation will begin with a three-day Health Fair sponsored by the St. Louis County Health Department under the direction of Dr. Delores Gunn. November 8-10 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at America’s Center, the Healthy Body, Healthy Spirit-Health Fair will feature medical doctors available to answer questions, make referrals and distribute literature.
For a full list of events, see the insert in this issue.
COGIC is the fourth-largest Protestant religious denomination in the U.S., with churches in 60 countries worldwide and a membership of nearly 6.5 million members. It has a three-year contract with the City of St. Louis to hold its convocation here.
Brown is happy that her hometown will host COGIC’s convocation for the next few years.
She said, “The best is yet is come.”
For more information about the convocation or to be a vender for the conference, visit www.cogic.org.
