Dear Saints,
While voters are at the polls deciding the United States mid term election of 2026 on Tuesday, November 3rd, thousands of saints who are registered voters will be attending the International Holy Convocation of the Church Of God In Christ in St Louis, MO.
This communique is to mobilize our constituents into maximum civic participation and encourage them to vote either in person, by mail, or by absentee ballot. To this end, the General Board and I have launched a project entitled, COGIC Counts -An Episcopal Call to Political Responsibility. For more information, please review the enclosed Executive Summary regarding this critical initiative.
My primary purpose in writing this letter is to solicit the support of all Jurisdictional Bishops, national leaders, pastors and elders, evangelists, and laity throughout the Church Of God In Christ. We are requesting you to partner with us to make this initiative a success in your state or region. Our tool to register voters and request mail in/absentee ballots is www.blackchurchvotes.com/cogic. This initiative seeks to ensure that eligible voters are registered and that they participate in the voting process on Election Day.
I have appointed Bishop Talbert Swan, II, Assistant General Secretary and Director, Social Justice Ministries to serve as Chairman for the initiative. His team will be making further contact regarding the initiative in the near future. There are several ways you can partner with us. Most are illustrated in the Executive Summary; however, the following are a few examples:
- Appoint a steering committee with a chair and co-chair to promote the initiative in your area.
- Promote the following three areas to maximize voting participation from your region: registration, education, and mobilization.
- Recruit volunteers and support the goals and objectives outlined in the Executive Summary, along with other materials and reporting requirements forthcoming from the committee.
- Review and promote suggested activities for civic engagement and involvement within prescribed guidelines governing the initiative.
Please place a high priority on this initiative to maximize its effectiveness. Developing consciences for this important voting initiative is most urgent. Please share this letter with constituents in your area as soon as possible.
The faithful should never relinquish their socio-political responsibility for the common good. We are making it an overarching goal to nurture enthusiasm for the electoral process and to reach out to all eligible voters within the Church Of God In Christ. Please make every effort to do your part and join us!
Sincerely,
Bishop J. Drew Sheard
Church Of God In Christ
Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle
Eighth In Succession
