The Saints are headed back to “The Lou.”
On Tuesday, the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) announced its decision to return the Holy Convocation to St. Louis, Missouri, for 2026–2028.
This decision was made during a special session of the COGIC General Assembly on January 13, 2025.
The Holy Convocation, COGIC’s premier annual gathering, draws tens of thousands of delegates from across the globe for worship, teaching, and fellowship. The event will transition from its current host city, Memphis, Tennessee, after the 2025 convocation. St. Louis previously hosted the Holy Convocation from 2010 to 2019, following a 110-year run in Memphis.
Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard expressed excitement about the return.
“St. Louis provided us with the infrastructure, hospitality, and resources to host this significant gathering,” Sheard said. “While Memphis will always be the spiritual home of COGIC, we are grateful to broaden our reach and continue making an impact in St. Louis.”
The Holy Convocation has been a significant economic driver for its host cities, with St. Louis generating millions of dollars in revenue during its previous hosting tenure.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and local leaders have expressed enthusiasm about the convention’s return and the boost it will bring to the city’s tourism and hospitality industries.
For more information about the Church Of God In Christ and the Holy Convocation, visit www.cogic.org.
