118th Holy Convocation

November 3-10, 2026 | St. Louis, MO

118th Holy Convocation – Church Of God In Christ, Inc.

May 4, 2026

Dear Holy Convocation Delegates,

I pray that this communication reaches you in great health and spiritual prosperity.

On Friday, May 1, 2026, we eagerly anticipated the opening of registration for the 118th Holy Convocation – Church of God in Christ, Inc. This sacred gathering is one of the most significant moments in the life of our Church, and we recognize the importance of ensuring a seamless and positive experience for every delegate.

Unfortunately, we experienced unexpected technical disruptions with our third-party registration provider, eShow Corporation. These issues resulted in extended wait times and limited system access, preventing many of you from completing your registration as planned. Please note that this outage impacted clients across their portfolio.

After careful assessment, we decided to temporarily suspend registration to protect the integrity of the process and ensure that all delegates have a fair and efficient opportunity to register.

First and foremost, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and frustration this situation caused. We understand the importance of opening day registration—especially as it relates to securing preferred housing and finalizing travel plans—and we regret that your experience did not meet the standard of excellence we strive to provide.

We have been in direct communication with senior leadership at eShow Corporation, who have acknowledged the issue, identified the root cause, and implemented corrective measures. Additional system enhancements are also being deployed to strengthen performance and reliability. Based on these actions, we are confident that the platform will operate as expected moving forward.

Please note the following important updates:

• Registration will officially reopen on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM (Noon) CST.
• All registrations completed successfully on May 1 will be fully honored. If your registration was processed, you should have received a confirmation email with housing information, if selected.
• Housing remains available across ALL official Holy Convocation hotel properties. Inventory continues to be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and we encourage you to complete your registration promptly once the system reopens.

We are committed to delivering an exceptional Holy Convocation experience and appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued support as we work through this matter. We look forward to welcoming you to St. Louis, Missouri, for what we believe will be a powerful and Spirit-filled Gathering of the Saints.

Respectfully and in His Service,

Christopher L. Payton
Director, Office of Conferences, Events & Travel
Church of God In Christ, Inc.

The Church Of God In Christ, through its Office of the Presiding Bishop and the Social Justice Ministry, issues the following statement in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais:

We stand at a troubling crossroads in American democracy. What generations of Black Americans secured through prayer, protest, sacrifice, and unwavering faith is now being systematically dismantled by judicial decree. This decision represents not merely a legal setback, but a moral failure that strikes at the very heart of justice and equal representation.

Scripture declares in Proverbs 31:8–9 to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to defend the rights of the poor and needy. The erosion of protections once guaranteed under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a direct contradiction of this biblical mandate. The right to vote is not simply a political privilege; it is a sacred trust tied to human dignity and agency.

The history of Black participation in American democracy has never been gifted, it has always been wrestled from the grip of injustice. From the bloodshed of Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge to the courage of countless unnamed believers who risked everything for the ballot, our journey has been marked by resilience in the face of resistance. To weaken those hard-won protections is to dishonor that legacy and endanger future generations.

This ruling opens the door to discriminatory redistricting practices that dilute Black voting strength and silence communities already marginalized. It signals a retreat from the progress that made this nation more just, more representative, and more aligned with its professed ideals.

We reject any effort—judicial, legislative, or otherwise—that seeks to render Black voices invisible in the democratic process. We affirm that justice requires equity, and equity demands vigilance.

The Church Of God In Christ calls upon federal lawmakers to act with urgency to restore and strengthen voting rights protections, including the immediate passage of comprehensive legislation that safeguards against racial discrimination in voting. We further call upon faith leaders, congregations, and communities across this nation to organize, educate, and mobilize in defense of democracy.

Micah 6:8 reminds us of what the Lord requires: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. In this moment, doing justice requires more than words, it demands action.

We will not be silent while the foundations of democracy are undermined. We will pray, we will advocate, and we will stand firm until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

Sincerely,

Bishop John Drew Sheard
Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle
Church of God in Christ, Inc.

2026 MOMENTUM CONFERENCE

August 17-21-2026 | Montgomery, AL

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STATEMENT FROM PRESIDING BISHOP J. DREW SHEARD

On Shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana

On behalf of the members of the Church of God in Christ, my brothers and sisters, I am heartbroken.

Eight children — three boys and five girls, ages 3 to 11 — are gone. Jayla. Shayla. Kayla. Layla. Markaydon. Sariahh. Khedarrion. Braylon. Their names deserve to be spoken. Their lives deserved to be lived.

These children appear to have been shot in their sleep, an act of evil so deep that no words are sufficient. We weep with every mother, every family member, and every person in Shreveport who woke up to a community forever changed.

This tragedy is a sobering reminder that domestic violence is a crisis in our communities, and the most innocent always bear the heaviest cost. The Church of God in Christ calls on every believer to pray, to act, and to protect the vulnerable in your midst.

“Suffer the little children to come unto me.” — Mark 10:14

Rest in God’s arms, little ones.

Bishop John Drew Sheard
Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle
Church of God in Christ, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Robert Coleman Jr.
Global Communications & PR Director
COGIC World Headquarters
rcoleman@cogic.org

COGIC CHARITIES RECEIVES HALF MILLION DOLLAR GRANT
Lilly Endowment’s Hope After the Storm Initiative Invests in Faith-Based Disaster Relief Capacity

MEMPHIS, TN (April 02, 2026) — COGIC Charities, the benevolent arm of The Church Of God In Christ, has received a $500,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its initiative, Hope After the Storm: Capacity Building for Faith-Based Disaster Relief Organizations.

With this investment, COGIC Charities will establish Regional Disaster Relief Warehouses to serve as essential supply distribution centers across the country. These regional locations will create reliable pipelines for crucial supplies — delivering food, water, and in some cases clothing, and critical medicine in response to natural disasters and to those who have been displaced from their homes.

In addition to infrastructure development, the grant will fund education and training programs to equip members of the organization with emergency preparedness expertise. COGIC Charities’ objective is to be proactive — providing pastoral leaders across its jurisdictions with comprehensive disaster manuals and relief kits designed to help them navigate community challenges before, during, and after a disaster.

“This grant from Lilly Endowment is a divine confirmation of what COGIC Charities has been called to do — to serve as a beacon of hope when communities need it most. Our mission has always been to meet people at their point of need, and now we have the resources to build lasting infrastructure that will allow us to respond with greater speed, compassion, and reach. We are grateful to Lilly Endowment for recognizing the vital role faith-based organizations play in disaster relief and for entrusting COGIC Charities to carry this work forward.”
— Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Chairman, COGIC Charities Board of Directors

COGIC Charities will use the grant to expand Disaster Relief Pantries serving the California West Coast, Maryland East Coast, and communities throughout the Midwest. The initiative aims to ensure optimal readiness, provide community support during disasters and emergencies, and identify smaller satellite sites to serve as holding and distribution facilities in affected areas.
The grant to COGIC Charities is one of 30 grants being awarded through Hope After the Storm, an initiative which aims to strengthen the capacity of faith-based organizations to provide aid to individuals and families affected by disasters in communities throughout the United States.

Lilly Endowment recognizes that faith-based organizations play a key role in providing disaster relief services across the nation, serving as important vehicles through which individuals and religious communities live out their faith by volunteering and giving to address the immediate needs of their neighbors.

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About COGIC Charities
COGIC Charities is the official benevolent arm of The Church Of God In Christ (COGIC), the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States, with a global presence exceeding 12,000 congregations in more than 106 nations. COGIC Charities exists to demonstrate the love of Christ through tangible acts of mercy and justice — mobilizing the Church to respond to human need through disaster relief and educational scholarship assistance. Guided by the faith and vision of Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard, COGIC Charities partners with local jurisdictions, government agencies, and philanthropic organizations to deploy resources where they are needed most. For more information, visit www.cogic.org.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown of Indianapolis and home state of Indiana.

2026 April Call Housing Reservations Now Open!

April 14-17, 2026 | Memphis, TN

Statement from Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard On President Trump’s Recent Truth Social Post

The Church Of God In Christ is deeply troubled by the circulation of a racially demeaning image shared through the President’s social media channel depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama in a manner long associated with the dehumanization of Black people. Such imagery is painful, offensive, and incompatible with the values of human dignity and respect affirmed by the Christian faith.

Scripture reminds us that “God created humankind in His image” (Genesis 1:27), and any action or expression that demeans, mocks, or dehumanizes another person or group stands in direct opposition to that truth. The Bible further teaches that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21), and those entrusted with leadership bear a heightened responsibility for the impact of their words and actions.

While explanations have been offered attributing this post to others, the larger concern remains unresolved. Leadership requires accountability, moral clarity, and a commitment to reject racism in all its forms—whether explicit or implied. The presence or tolerance of racially harmful behavior has no place in our public life and should never be excused.

As a church, we call on all people of faith to reject racism, resist dehumanization, and speak with wisdom, humility, and love. We urge believers to remember that allegiance to Christ must always supersede political loyalty. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).

The Church Of God In Christ remains committed to justice, reconciliation, and the sacred worth of every human being. We pray for our nation, for those in authority, and for a renewed commitment to leadership that reflects the righteousness, compassion, and integrity demanded by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,

Bishop John Drew Sheard
Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle
Church of God in Christ, Inc.