The Church of God in Christ (COGIC), the largest African- American Christian demonination in the country and its bishops are coming to Detroit this weekend to celebrate the 100 -year existence of its Michigan and Ontario/Canada jurisdictions of COGIC April 26 at Cobo Convention Center.
Charles E. Blake, the Presiding Bishop of COGIC, senior pastor of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ and a former member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Faith-based Parternships at the White House will deliver the keynote address.
The national gathering in Detroit will attract thousands of members of COGIC and its Council of Bishops, who plan to honor various individuals the organization sees as having made significant contributions in the last century.
The “Centennial Celebration,” of COGIC, an organization that sits at the center of Black life and spirituality, is significant because COGIC is a highly respected and influential religious organization with international membership across continents. Many view COGIC as having one of the most important imprints on the African-American Christian faith in the last 100 years.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., delivered his last sermon on the eve of his death in Memphis at Mason Temple, a COGIC church, underscoring how the dominant African-American denomination, at the turn of a new century comes to bear on the socioeconomic and political well-being of Blacks.
For example, P.A. Brooks, the First Assistant Presiding Bishop of COGIC, is one of the leading voices on contemporary socioeconomic issues and their relation to faith. Brooks who was the guest chaplain of the 102nd Congress, has met with and prayed for world leaders including former president Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela.
Saturday’s celebration is a milestone for COGIC.
“The 100th Centennial Celebration is not just about the Church of God in Christ, but it’s about how we are acting with other leaders in various sectors of our community, working together to achieve justice and common good,” Brooks said. “Throughout these 100 years we have improved the quality of life for the people in the community.”
A select group of people will be honored at the Centennial Celebration.