“Many of us have scars. Nobody considers a scar to be a pleasant thing. But, do you know what a scar is? A scar is nothing but a healed wound. And if you have a scar that just means the worst is over and the best is yet to come.” ~ Bishop C.E. Blake
SPRINGFIELD, MO – Yesterday leadership of the Church of God in Christ met with the executive leadership of the Assemblies of God at the AG national office in Springfield, Missouri. This historic gathering is the first time these two denominations, which are two of the largest in the United States, have met specifically to dialogue together.
Bishop C.E. Blake, the Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, spoke during the AG Chapel Service about giving thanks in all things, even the scars that you have. Click here to watch Bishop Blake’s message.
At the beginning of the service, Dr. George O. Wood, who has served as the general superintendent of the Assemblies of God since August 2007, referenced the separation that occurred when the Assemblies of God were established. In 1914 the first General Council of the Assemblies of God met after separating from the Church of God in Christ – during this meeting Bishop C.H. Mason attended and blessed the formation of the Assemblies of God. The AGs reports that “Wood reflected sorrowfully on the separation that occurred because of the racial culture at that time in America, when culture shaped the church into racial division rather than the Bible. The coming together of COGIC and AG leadership in a historic-time dialogue represents another step in the healing of a rift that occurred long ago.” Wood stated, “This is a wonderful day. Meeting with our like-minded brothers from the Church of God in Christ is something we and the leadership of COGIC have longed to do for years, and now it has finally happened!”
There were other COGIC leaders in attendance including: First Assistant Presiding Bishop Phillip Aquila Brooks​, Second Assistant Presiding Bishop Jerry W. Macklin, General Board Member Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Financial Secretary Frank Anthone White, General Secretary Joel Harley Lyles, Jr., Missions President Carlis L. Moody, Chairman of AIM Linwood Dillard, and Chief Operations Officer James W. Smith.
We praise God for healed wounds, unity in the Body of Christ, and everything He is doing in this season! Please feel free to comment below.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am delightedl to hear of this wonderful gathering of the Cogic and AG executives. it is truly historic. We a praying for a brighter future for you and for all American Pentecostals.
Vinson Synan
Regent University
Glory!!
I am very proud to be member of Church of God in Christ and like wise proud to honor my AG roots/foundation. Acting asa represantive for the Ministries in our District of North Dakota. Working with my Bishop and the AG LEadership in the use of Unified Boy's Ministry tasked with Disipling more boys then ever before. Truly love to hear National leaders working together and meeting in brotherhood.
This is very nice….Bishop Blake is an awesome leader. I expect even more fellowship/dialogue between the two denominations in the future.
Denominational differences are becoming a thing of the past. I grew up Baptist, licensed as minister in UCC, ordained elder in COGIC and am now AME. The worship differences are so minuscule today that its almost becoming irrevelant. Thanking God for the leadership of Bishop Blake to begin the healing process.
The differences between COGIC and AME and UCC are doctrinal and are anything but miniscule!
It's about time the two greatest denominations got together. I pray there is more to come.
Thank the Lord for GREAT leadership, I truly appreciate Bishop Blake as my leader.
What a wonderful example of Godly leadership in the 21st Century. This meeting affirms the fact we can accomplish more together than anyone of us can alone, especially when doing God's work. May God lead and direct these leaders as they earnestly seek to do His will.
I love this, I was born and raised COGIC, and was introduced to AG just a few years ago when we relocated to another state, I adore my AG sisters and brothers, and hope to work with them as well in the near future with a Royal Rangers program. Praise the Lord!
As a student of COGIC history and a member of the organization, I am excited about this. Hopeful to see a collaboration in the future.
A magnet is a single unit, but when it fractures, where it once was joined, it repels with force. This is always a fragile proposition. I was with Bishop Blake at the 1994 "Miracle in Memphis." Exchanging choirs and pulpits was never enough to accomplish what God wants in us. For the grace that God gives, let us respond at a table of brotherhood, untilted by power and get to know each other with listening hearts. The Lord will speak to us in that place. If we get this right, it will seep into our beings, even into our words and our political views. We may have to admit some difficult truths. But God called us from the beginning to be better in this than our predecessors, to step up in our day, or we pass on our wretched disease. Father, make us one, so the world will know and believe that You sent Your Son.
It is going to take humility, conviction and a sustained effort. We have caused enough wounds and bear enough scars.
I am excited that this has taken place. We are still one in Jesus Christ. To God Be The Glory!!!!!
In 1914, the AG was started because of racial barriers, but in 2013 that barrier have been broken down. The AG has become an interracial. denomination. COGIC is interacial; now GOD have erased the differences!!!
WOW! What a blessing. Quite encouraging to me. A tremendous testimony of the faithfulness of God to His people, we are never really separated from each other. Bishop Blake a great servant of the Lord and all the leadership of the COGIC reflect the spiritual characteristics of its Founder. God bless the grand ole Church of God In Christ!
Jesus prayed that all that believe on Him would be one as He and the Father are so that the world would believe that God sent Him, this is what is happening.
This is a Great Reunion. Jim Crow being prevalent in American society caused the world’s largest Pentecostal organization to be birthed, the Assemblies of God. Many of their original members were COGIC ministers credentialed by Bishop Mason who joined a coalition of white holiness ministers desiring to work without societal restraint in an America, which was not possible for African Americans at that time. Bishop Mason worked closely with these ministers in the years preceding their inception and blessed the Assemblies of God at their first national convention in Hot Springs, AR (1914).
I am not a member of either denomination – but it is a proud day for Christians everwhere when siblings can come together in mutual love. Good on you both for building bridges instead of walls.
Yes, indeed it is a good thing … " for brethren to dewell together in unity and let the Peace of God rule our hearts…". I pray the leaderships can continue to be strategic in this mission. Also, I want to commend Bis F W Washington for continuing 'the bridge' in Minnesota. The Mn Jurisdiction under the leadership of the late Bis. SN Fraizer, now Bis. Washington, have established significant relations through board leadership/ scholarship/fellowship w/ the local A/G college (No. Central Univ.), churches and leadership.
in Jesus Name,