COGIC Charities, the benevolent arm of the nearly 6.5 million member Church of God in Christ, will give funds to aid the relief efforts in Japan.
A COGIC delegation, led by Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., will leave for Tokyo at the end of July and meet with Japanese and American officials to discuss the additional needs of the country.
Bishop Blake will lead a prayer for the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami. He will also host a breakfast for American servicemen and women.
During the trip, the charity will present a check for $100,000 to help purchase rice cookers and any additional items that may be needed.
While this is the first time the leader of the fourth largest Protestant and the second largest Pentecostal denomination in the U.S. has traveled to Japan, this is by no means the first time COGIC Charities has aided countries during times of crisis.
Since its inception in 2003, the charity has given: $150,000 donation to tsunami victims in East Africa through the United Nations Food Agriculture Organization; $100,000 donation to Horn of Africa Relief and Development Organization in Somalia; $1 million donation to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts; $50,000 donation for the Uganda Women’s Health Initiative; and $1.1 million to Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort.
Bishop Blake explains, “We Care is not just a slogan for COGIC Charities, but we believe that it is our duty to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and shelter the homeless.”
The COGIC jurisdictional bishop of Japan, Bishop Carl D. Hodges, echoed that sentiment. He also states that the COGIC churches in Japan are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Presiding Bishop and his delegation. They are looking forward to the opportunity to share with him the great cultural experience that is Japan.
Tye Tribbett and Team Fresh
C.R.LEE Ministries will host Tye Tribbett and Team Fresh at their Fresh Experience Tour on Friday, July 29. The concert doors will be open at 6 p.m. with pre-show music beginning at 6:30 p.m. featuring Judah Band from Indianapolis. The featured artist for this concert is Mitchel Ford, The City Troops, D. McGhee and St. Louis New Generation.
The evening will culminate with praise and worship, prayer and a music ministry from Tye Tribbett and Team Fresh. His dynamic vocal skills and his ability to lead in both praise and worship has allowed him to be a highly sought-after speaker and artist throughout the United States, as well as abroad.
Elder Carlton Lee Jr. is founder of C.R.LEE Ministries. The Fresh Experience Tour concert will be held at Faith Church of St. Louis (3590 Rider Trial South in Earth City) where the pastors are David and Nicole Crank. Tickets can be purchased at Family Christian Bookstore locations Chesterfield, Ferguson, St. Peters, Transformation Christian Bookstore, and Word Christian Bookstore in East St. Louis. Tickets are $20 for General Admission and $40 for VIP. Contact Carlton Lee at 314-322-9468.