Church of God in Christ members enjoy a moment of praise and rejoicing during the denomination’s convocation Tuesday (Nov 7) evening at the Renasant Convention Center. (Photos/Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The Tri-State Defender)
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) celebrated its 115th Holy Convocation in its founding city, Memphis, marking a significant return with a week-long event from November 7th to 14th.
The event featured a lineup of great speakers, soul-stirring music, and profound preaching, with Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard and Memphis-based Bishop Brandon Porter at the helm. The Renasant Convention Center and the FedEx Forum also played host to various meetings, with the city’s Mayor Jim Strickland and Mayor-Elect Paul Young being acknowledged as instrumental in facilitating the event’s relocation.
Here are some scenes from the Convocation. Photos by Gary S. Whitlow, for GSW Enterprises/The Tri-State Defender.
Church of God in Christ members enjoy a moment of praise and rejoicing during the denomination’s convocation Tuesday (Nov 7) evening at the Renasant Convention Center. (Photos/Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The Tri-State Defender)
Saints share a moment praise during Tuesday night’s gather. Convocation events also will be held at the FedEx and its historic Mason Temple.
Saints express joyful worship. Some 30,000 Saints are expected the attend the convocation, which continues through Tuesday (Nov. 14).
“We lift our hands in total praise . . . “
Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard presides over COGIC’s 115th Holy Convocation, which returned to its mother city Memphis for the second consecutive year after holding the convocation in St. Louis since 2010.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee addressed the convocation. While welcoming the saints to Memphis and the state, he addressed the city’s crime problem, saying hope just isn’t enough when it comes to fighting crime, and crime needs to be tackled head-on.
Bishop Sheard credits Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and the mayor’s team in helping to return the convocation to Memphis.
