COGIC Elects Its Next Presiding Bishop
During the 109th Holy Convocation, in St. Louis, the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) once again chose Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. as presiding bishop.
The general assembly, the legislative body of the Church of God in Christ, has re-elected Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. to the Office of presiding bishop. Bishop Blake is the leader of the church’s executive branch. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the nearly 6.5 million-member church.
Presiding Bishop Blake says, “Serving as presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ is an incredible honor. Thank you for re-electing me as your leader. This is the greatest church in the world. I am looking forward to serving this great denomination as its leader during the next quadrennial and continuing to make a meaningful global impact.”
The general board is the board of directors of the denomination and governs the church between meetings of the general assembly. The general board consists of 12 members, including the presiding bishop. The 2016 general assembly delegates elected two new members to the general board, with 10 returning incumbents.
Returning Incumbents: Bishop Charles Edward Blake Sr., Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Bishop Jerry W. Macklin, Bishop Sedgwick Daniels, Bishop Phillip A. Brooks, Bishop Brandon B. Porter, Bishop George D. McKinney, Bishop Ted G. Thomas, Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten, Bishop Nathaniel W. Wells.
The newly elected members are Bishop Darrell Hines and Bishop Matthew Williams.
With the recent death of Bishop James W. Hunt Sr., chairman of the general assembly, Assistant Chairman of the General Assembly Bishop Lemuel F. Thuston will complete Hunt’s four-year term.
The additional national officers elected for a new four-year term include: General Secretary Bishop Joel H. Lyles Jr.; Financial Secretary Bishop Frank A. White; and Treasurer Bishop Charles H. M. Patterson.
On the board of bishops are: Bishop John H. Sheard, chair; Bishop Albert Gailbraith Jr., first vice chairman; Bishop Roger L. Jones, 2nd vice chairman; Bishop William H. Watson, secretary; Bishop Adrian D. Williams, assistant secretary; Bishop Cody Marshall, treasurer.
On the trustee board are: Dwight E. Walls, chair; Mildred Linzy, first vice chair; Sylvia H. Law, second vice chair; Melton Timmons, secretary; Georgia Macklin-Lowe, Michael B. Golden, David Allen, Jr., Josephus Shepherd, Darin Burns, Amos Smith, Sandra Jones, Cari V. Barnes, Joseph Chase, T. Lynn Smith, Christopher Martin
On the general council of pastors and elders are: Pastor Michael Eaddy, chair; Destry Bell, vice chair; and Prince Bryant II, secretary.
Chairman of the General Assembly Bishop Lemuel F. Thuston says: “I would like to thank all of the delegates who attended this year’s general assembly. Everyone did a great job. The quadrennial election was carried out in a spirit of excellence. The Election Committee Chairlady Myra Banks and her committee did a commendable job with the election. I am proud to say that all of the business of the church was handled properly and in an expeditious manner.”
