The Church Of God In Christ Convenes in St. Louis

Little Rock, Arkansas – Overseer Robert G. Rudolph, Jr., Scribe of the National Adjutancy Church of God In Christ, Inc.

As a third generation member of the Church Of God In Christ, I am excited as always to attend the upcoming 104th Holy Convocation which will convene October 31-November 9th 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri.  If I remember correctly, I have gone to every one of these since being a toddler in the early 1970’s.

The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission says the 2010 convocation attracted 35,000 attendees that spent upwards of $35 million during the eight-day convention. This year’s convocation attendance is already expected to increase in size and economic impact to the region.  This convention says Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. will be an opportunity for the members  to “set down our buckets to receive the latter rain of inspiration, instruction and the work of ministry.” The convocation is a time for the delegates to experience great speakers and some of the greatest gospel music singers in the nation.

The Church Of God In Christ is a denomination in which the word of God is preached, ordinances are administered and the doctrine of sanctification or holiness is emphasized, as being essential to the salvation of mankind.  Our Church is commonly known as being Holiness or Pentecostal in nature because of the importance ascribed to the events which occurred on the Day of Pentecost, the 50th day after the Passover, or Easter as being necessary for all believers in Christ Jesus to experience.

Our Church is also considered to be a member of the great Protestant body though if did not directly evolve from the European or English Reformation but had it origin within the General Association to the Baptist Church.

Elder Charles Harrison Mason, who later became the founder and organizer of the Church Of God In Christ, was born September 8, 1866, on the Prior Farm near Memphis, Tennessee.  His father and mother were members of a Missionary Baptist Church, having been converted during the dark crises of American Slavery.

The Church of God in Christ has grown to be the fifth largest Protestant religious denomination in the United States with churches in 60 countries worldwide and an estimated membership of nearly 6.5 million members. Last year was the first time that it was held in St. Louis as the General Assembly chose to move this national meeting away from its world headquarters of Memphis, Tennessee.

This denomination has most definitely changed over the years but the saints have kept the basic teachings of holiness and sanctification in the forefront.  This upcoming convocation will be a wonderful time for the all to celebrate this Pentecostal fervor and love of God in what can be sometimes a hopeless world.