They have two children, Kierra Kelly and John Drew Sheard, II, one son-in-love, Jordan Kelly, and two grandchildren. Church of God in Christ Elects J. Drew Sheard as New Presiding Bishop Chandler David Owens Sr. - Wikipedia Drew Sheard. Thereafter, missionaries were sent to Africa and the islands of the Caribbean, Asia, and elsewhere. Lizzie Woods Robinson (19111945) was the first "General Mother" of the church. In 1933, he set apart five overseers to the Office of Bishop in the church, the first five bishops of COGIC. It teaches that sanctification should precede the baptism with the Holy Spirit. In 1981, Bishop J.O. She formed her daughters into a singing group who became known as the legendary "Clark Sisters" who helped introduce and became leaders of the contemporary gospel music era. [12] Mason stayed in Los Angeles for five weeks and his visit to the Azusa Street Revival changed the direction of the newly formed holiness church. Historically, women in ministry in COGIC are known as "Missionaries" and are designated in two categories: Deaconess Missionary, and Evangelist Missionary. Each jurisdictional bishop appoints a jurisdictional supervisor to lead the work of the women on a jurisdictional level. Founder 1907-1961* Senior Bishop & Chief Apostle Charles Harrison Mason: . The first convention was held in Los Angeles, California, in 1951. Vice President of COGIC World Missions-Supervisor Faye M. Butler. Bishop Carlis Moody immediately began to reorganize the Missions Department, giving new guidelines. As public education was segregated and underfunded by white officials in the South through most of the tenure of the first major leader, this school became a destination for parents wanting their children to have high-quality education. His testimony "literally went viral, and brought upon him criticism and sardonicism. During the 1990s, President Bill Clinton was invited by then COGIC Presiding Bishop, Louis Henry Ford to attend the International Holy Convocation. A Jeter and D. J. Bishop Sheard is married to Evangelist Karen Clark Sheard. In 1996, the then Elder J. Born in Birmingham, Alabama on October 2, 1931, Bishop Owens started preaching as a young child. Three years later on October 12, 1955, he added three more bishops to the hierarchy: Bishop U. E. Miller, Bishop S. M. Crouch, and Bishop O. T. Jones Sr. The general assembly meets biannually each year in April and November while the presidium acts as the executive branch of the church, overseeing the day-to-day operation when the general assembly is not in session. We believe in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling a Christian is enabled to live a holy and separated life in the present world. It also increasingly stressed high academic standards so that its graduates could go to normal school or college, especially to teach other African Americans. Church of God in Christ - Wikipedia Bishop Blake is married to Lady Mae Lawrence Blake. Church Of God In Christ, Inc. 2015-23. They were given the authority through a "gentlemen's agreement" to license ministers and establish churches under the COGIC name. He is known to many as being an eloquent, compassionate and practical leader, as well as a humanitarian and an advocate with a God-given gift for ministering to the whole man. Carter currently posts material on YouTube and Facebook reporting alleged misconduct and impropriety within current leadership of COGIC and other Christian (mainly African-American) denominations. Evangelist Missionaries are licensed to preach the gospel, conduct gospel meetings, and may be given the oversight of local congregations serving as the church administrator. [29] Former International Music Department President Professor Iris Stevenson-McCullough (originally from Rochester, NY) is a major influence in the gospel music industry around the world. Organized in the South and having a predominately African-American membership, COGIC has had a long history in advancing civil rights. From 1985 to 2009, he maintained the position of Prelate for the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of California, where he was responsible for overseeing over 250 . MEMPHIS, Tenn Funeral arrangements are set for COGIC Evangelist Louise Patterson, the widow of the late Bishop G.E. Funeral services set for COGIC Evangelist Louise Patterson COGIC teaches that according to the Word of God, there will be final events and conditions that address the end of this present age of the world. [55], A 2014 statistical study from the Pew Research Center Forum on Religion & Public Life, reported that most members of COGIC usually got married between the ages of 25 and 30, and that over 42% of COGIC members between the ages of 25 and 65+ were married, at least 19% were divorced or separated, 32% were never married, and at least 5% were widowed. Mason was influenced by the testimony of the African-American Methodist evangelist Amanda Berry Smith, one of the most widely respected African-American holiness evangelists of the nineteenth century. Research Center at Boston University, the Greenlining Institutes Big Heart Award, a Trumpet Award, and the Urban Leagues Whitney M. Young award, among many others. He was elected four times uncontested as presiding bishop. The early pioneers of this newly formed Holiness-Pentecostal body in 1907 were E. R. Driver, J. Bowe, R. R. Booker, R. E. Hart, W. Welsh, A. The general assembly is the supreme authority over the church to decide matters of faith and practice. Save Africa's Children, a program of PACF, currently provides support to over 220 charity missions and orphanages throughout sub-Saharan Africa. After the death of Mother Coffey in 1964, Dr. Annie L. Bailey (19641975), became the third General Supervisor. On February 21, 1965, when Malcolm X was assassinated and the family needed a place for his funeral, no major black church or facility would open their doors for the service. The church has a tradition of prayer, fasting, praise, and consecration that was once unique to Holiness or Holiness Pentecostal groups. He is an example of servant leadership and has become a voice to the nations to uphold the standards of holiness. He led a group of students to participate in the March on Selma. Giving Down by Half in Church of God in Christ - News & Reporting The Church of God in Christ is the fifth largest Protestant religious denomination in the United States, the largest Pentecostal church in the country and the second largest Pentecostal organization in the world with churches in 60 countries worldwide and an estimated membership of nearly 6.5 million members. In 1924, the Sunday School was formally organized under "Father" F. C. Christmas (19161944). A. As the International Holy Convocation grew to thousands, COGIC leaders had to negotiate with city officials to provide hotel accommodations for the saints. Her life story led many African-Americans into the Holiness movement, including Mason. The school and college remain closed at present.[29]. He was denied such trial in 2016. In 1968, COGIC established the C.H. COGIC became a major force in the collective Black Church and worldwide Pentecostal movement. [22], The years of 19621968 has been described as a "Dark Period" in the history of the Church of God in Christ, because there was polarization and conflict in leadership following the death of the founder. In 1982 during the Seventy-Fifth Holy Convocation, the diamond jubilee of the church, COGIC published its own hymnal, Yes, Lord!, which included many arrangements and songs written by COGIC and African-American musicians and songwriters. In 2000, he was elected as the Presiding Bishop of COGIC. One of her contributions was to divide the women's fellowship in the local congregations into two groups: The Christian Women's Council for the middle aged and senior women, and the Young Women's Christian Council (YWCC) for the younger women. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Church of Universal Triumph, Dominion of God, Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ, United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God, Incorporated, Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, Imani Temple African-American Catholic Congregation, Israelite School of Universal Practical Knowledge, Original Church of God or Sanctified Church, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_Edward_Blake_Sr.&oldid=1138808010, People from Los Angeles County, California, Presiding Bishops of the Church of God in Christ, African-American television personalities, Interdenominational Theological Center alumni, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, April, 2007, November 2008, November 2012, November 2016, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 19:00. Today however, many church mothers have been reserved to titular positions as many pastor's wives have assumed the role of leader of women's ministries in local congregations. In 1976, under the leadership of Bishop J.O. This seasonal period was selected because most of the COGIC members were farmers and were finished harvesting their crops around this time. The result of sin is the depravity of man, broken communion with God, shame and guilt, and physical and spiritual death. Pages in category "Presiding Bishops of the Church of God in Christ". In looking to COGIC'S future, Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., senior pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, announced last year that he would not seek-re-election as a member of the General Board or Presiding Bishop. In a November 2007 special election, he was elected to complete the unexpired term of his predecessor as Presiding Bishop. Sin was transmitted to humanity when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, as a result all men have original sin. Church of God in Christ elects new Presiding Bishop Driver, who was the overseer of California and pastor of the Saints Home COGIC led an interracial congregation made up of many Blacks, Whites, and Latinos, for many years. Today the International Women's Convention/Crusade meets annually in May in different cities throughout the nation drawing thousands of women from around the world. There was the creation of the Sunday School Field Representative. C. P. Jones and those Holiness leaders who did not embrace the Azusa Revival experience continued as Holiness churches. The judicial board serves as the judicial branch and is the supreme body that interprets polity and practice. Mamie Till-Mobley was a member of St. Paul COGIC led by then Elder Louis Henry Ford (who would later become the presiding bishop of the denomination) officiated the service. By. Drew Sheard who was elected in 2021. He gave the eulogy for Till at Robert's Temple COGIC in 1955. The school enjoyed its greatest growth and success under the leadership of Dr. Arenia Conella Mallory (19041977). Mrs. Anna Broy Crockett Ford was the first organizer and director of the National Music Department, which was formally established in November 1949. [33] In 2009, Bishop Blake unveiled an aggressive program known as "Urban Initiatives" to address the plight of America's urban areas. Bishop Blake is married to Mae Lawrence Blake, a native of Michigan, and they have three children together, Charles Blake II (Jr.), Lawrence Blake, and Kimberly Blake, and they have eight grandchildren.[6]. As COGIC has continued to grow, new departments, auxiliaries, and ministries have been established including the music department, the National Adjutancy, Men's Department, COGIC Charities, and Urban Initiatives to name a few. Field representative, International Sunday School Department Mother Cleolia Penix. He became a Christian and converted to Pentecostal Christianity as a young adolescent, under the ministry of his mother and father in Arkansas, and he and his family moved to Los Angeles when he was in his 20's when his father was asked to take over as a bishop of the First Jurisdiction of Southern California for the COGIC denomination. [10] After testifying to being sanctified, members of the church referred to themselves as "Saints", believing that they were set apart to live a daily life of Christian Holiness in words and deeds.[11]. COGIC clergy do not officially sanction or recognize same-sex relationships to be united in marriage and the denomination at-large discourages same-sex relationships as unbiblical and immoral. In 1918, COGIC opened its first institution of higher learning, the Saints Industrial and Literary School in Lexington, Mississippi, for both girls and boys. President, International Music Department Dr. Myron Williams, General Assembly and Call Meeting (April) Memphis, General Council of Pastors and Elders (May), International Women's Crusade and Convention (May), Auxiliaries in Ministry (AIM) Conference (July), Bishop Mason's Birthday/Founder's Celebration (September), International Holy Convocation and General Assembly (November), Mother Lizzie Woods Robinson first general supervisor (19111945), Mother Lillian Brooks Coffey second general supervisor and founding president of the Women's International Convention (19461964), Mother Annie L. Bailey third general supervisor (19641975), Mother Mattie McGlothen fourth general supervisor (19751994), Mother Emma F. Crouch fifth general supervisor (19941997), Mother Willie Mae Rivers sixth general supervisor (19972017), Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis seventh general supervisor (2017present), Evangelist Emily Bram Bibby#, longest-serving national female evangelist, Missionary Pearl Paige Brown#, foreign missionary. Remarriage is usually highly discouraged, except in the case of the death of a spouse or former spouse. He was a strong advocate for social justice. Together they traveled across the country proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pentecostals have been known and continue to be known for their lively worship, exuberant expressions of praise and worship, and musical compilations, mostly relying on congregational singing of hymns and chants. (RNS) A Detroit bishop of the Church of God in Christ has been named the new presiding bishop of the nation's largest historically Black Pentecostal . As has been stated, COGIC does not ordain women as elder or bishop, however, COGIC would not have become the largest predominately African-American Pentecostal church in the world, nor have the largest Women's convention of any major denomination without the contributions of women. B. McEwen made conflicting administrative and executive decisions. [37] The National Council of Churches ranks it as the fifth largest Christian denomination in the U.S.[38] COGIC is a HolinessPentecostal Christian denomination,[2][4] with a predominantly African-American membership. [29] COGIC continued to grow and in 1973, the church claimed a worldwide membership of nearly three million. [13], Although the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) began earlier, it is still the case that in 1907, with ten congregations, The Church of God in Christ became the first legally chartered Pentecostal body incorporated in the United States. President Clinton gave speeches at COGIC meetings including the International Holy Convocation at Mason Temple and the Women's International Convention. By that time, it was known as Saints Academy and Junior College. Each department convened its own convention in various cities through 1975. He called for an annual gathering of COGIC members, known as the "International Holy Convocation", to be held in Memphis. Carter was found in contempt of court for failing to obey the court order and was jailed until he removed all videos and agreed to comply. Student Aid a ministry of support to foreign students. The three-year-initiative with The Human Coalition was also supposed to encourage local COGIC clergy leaders across the United States, both male and female, to partner up with other anti-abortion advocacy groups and Christian ministries to lobby for more anti-abortion restrictions throughout local states.[51]. In 2021 he was again re-elected Bishop as a member of the Presidium (General Board) of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., at that time he was also subsequently elected to the Office of the Presiding Bishop as Chief Apostle. As a result, many local congregations, foreign missions, and schools were established through the leadership and efforts of women in COGIC. Mother Lillian Coffey appointed Mother Reatha Herndon as president of the National Women's Evangelist Board in 1951. Under her leadership and tenure, COGIC choirs and individual singers came to dominate gospel music producing a number of recordings and gospel hits. They have three children and eight grandchildren. Nevertheless, women are licensed in COGIC to proclaim the gospel as evangelists. BISHOP CHARLES E. BLAKE, SR. - Church Of God In Christ As COGIC continued to grow, the various departments began the practice of convening annually to conduct the business unique of their ministries. Music Dept. Blake has also formerly served as an Advisory Committee Member of the Pentecostal World Conference, and as the founder and Co-chair of the Los Angeles Ecumenical Congress (LAEC), an interdenominational coalition of religious leaders and pastors for the city of Los Angeles. Since so many new holiness groups and fellowships were forming that used the name "Church of God," C. H. Mason sought a name to distinguish his Holiness group from others. Bishop John Drew Sheard is Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., one of the largest African American Pentecostal denominations in the United States with 12,000 churches in over 112 countries. A local church mother since the age of 21, she was committed to strengthening the auxiliaries in the local churches and to prepare the younger women to carry the mission of COGIC into the Twenty-first Century. He re-ignited the church to be a flagship Pentecostal denomination. (19721994). In 1951, the first separate National Sunday School Convention convened in Kansas City, Missouri. The Five Presiding Bishops of the Church Of God In Christ Divorce is considered inconsistent with biblical teachings and is highly discouraged as well, but exceptions are made for special circumstances. It includes not only those who are members of COGIC, but all believers who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. "[90] This excerpt of Elder Carter's sermon went viral throughout social media and was picked up by major television news broadcasts. Jesse Jackson was invited to speak during the COGIC International Holy Convocation when he was running for the presidency. Bishop Sedgwick Daniels Board member (2008present). Bishop Patterson was the second youngest person to ever be elected Presiding Bishop of COGIC at the age 60 in 2000, second to his uncle, Bishop J. O. Patterson Sr. who was 56 when he was elected Presiding Bishop in 1968. We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible written Word of God. During the tenure of Bishop J. O. Patterson Sr. as Presiding Bishop in the 1970s and 80s, Bishop Patterson established several interdenominational Christian schools and seminaries, and helped to establish the World Fellowship of Black Pentecostal Churches and gained COGIC membership in the Congress of National Black Churches as well, a national caucus of Black church denominations that represent different denominations and organizations of the Black Church in America. He served faithfully as an Ordained Deacon, the Sunday School Superintendent and the Guitarist. The rope that holds the shaft together represents Charles Harrison Mason, COGIC's founding father. Supervisor Irene Oakley#, pastor, supervisor, bishop's wife, Mother Louise Patterson, evangelist, former first lady and wife of G.E. Bishop Blake led the COGIC to become a greater global ministry, primarily in Africa and Latin America, while at the same time investing in the inner cities where many COGIC congregations are located. He served on the trustee board for 12 years and has served on the general board for eight years. Church of God in Christ: COGIC Presiding Bishop Ousted 1st Assistant Presiding Bishop Bishop Jerry W. Macklin. COGIC policies and bylaws have also been established regarding sexual misconduct of COGIC clergy and laymembers for disciplinary purposes. COGIC clergy are also allowed to be married. A. Blackwell, E. M. Blackwell, E. M. Page, R. H. I. Clark, D. J. Owens and became known as AIM (Auxiliaries in Ministry). He self-identifies as Bishop/CEO of his newly organized fellowship called the 7000 Club (not to be confused with The 700 Club from Pat Robertson). Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten Second Assistant Presiding Bishop (2021present) and board member (2012present). In 1916, a few white churches were organized as a white branch of COGIC. She is the longest serving president of the International Music Department and her influence and legacy have been indelible and are recognized around the world. [96][97][98][99], This article is about the Holiness Pentecostal denomination. On October 23, 2020, Bishop Blake announced that he will not seek a re-election as Presiding Bishop nor as a member of the General Board and that he would retire from the Office of Presiding Bishop and from the General Board in 2021.[34]. Young, James Brewer, Daniel Spearman, and J. H. Boone. He was elected as the denomination's leader on March 27, 2021. The Church of God in Christ elects Bishop J. Drew Sheard as its new [49] The church does not practice infant baptisms or christenings, but does conduct baby dedications in formal ceremonies. However, the General Assembly vested authority in the executive board composed of the seven bishops selected by Bishop Mason before his death. Originally, this gathering of the 'Saints' lasted for twenty days, from November 25 to December 14. Sister Church Support Ministry a church in the USA giving support to a church on the mission field. His ministry spanned more than seven decades. As a visionary who is both inspiring and influential, the awards and recognitions that Bishop Blake has received are extensive. In November 2012, Bishop Blake was re-elected again to serve a four-year term as the Presiding Bishop. The current Presiding Bishop is Bishop John Drew Sheard Sr., who is the Senior Pastor of the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ of Detroit, Michigan. During his administration, Battles organized Regions to oversee evangelistic ministry in various regional areas across the country. In 2010 Superintendent J. She established a high school and gained accreditation for it, and then for the junior college which she founded on campus. At the start of the new millennium, then COGIC presiding Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson, continued to support the advancement of civil rights. Youth on a Mission (YOAM) a ministry of young people visiting the mission field to serve each summer. Women in COGIC have been influential in the leadership and organization of the church since its inception. However, in 1996, the umbrella format was revised under the administration of Bishop C.D. The pair modeled the pastor and wife ministry team in COGIC. COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake issued a public apology, saying "I apologize for what seemed to be a harsh, uncompassionate, disrespectful spirit on the part of that speaker. During World War I, the FBI opened a file on Bishop Mason and conducted surveillance on him because of his pacifism during the war. James Moore, Thomas Whitfield (singer), Deniece Williams, Hubert Powell, Donnie McClurkin, LaShun Pace, The Anointed Pace Sisters, Dr. Bettye Ransom Nelson, Bishop Richard "Mr. Clean" White, Bishop Paul S. Morton, The Clark Sisters: (Jacky Clark-Chisholm, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Karen Clark-Sheard). Amen. The first youth leader on a national level was Elder M.C. The Youth Congress eventually become one of the largest conventions in COGIC. He began production of the YPWW Quarterly Topics to train the youth of the COGIC in the faith, doctrine, and polity of the church. Porter pointed out that he is based in Memphis.