BISHOP ELIJAH H. HANKERSON, III
Bishop Hankerson was saved at 8 and has walked with the Lord faithfully for 44 years: saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking with tongues and victory over sin.
He is a General Board member of the Church Of God In Christ. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Doctorate of Divinity.
He has 30 years of pastoral experience and has been in the ministry for 37 years. He is Senior Pastor and founder of Life Center International C.O.G.I.C. of Saint Louis, MO. He is also Jurisdictional Bishop and founder of Missouri Midwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, comprised of 67 pastors.
In the “National,” the bishop has served as three term President of the International Department of Evangelism; along with 17 other jobs and assignments.
Heavily involved in the community, Bishop Hankerson served as past President of the Saint Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition (the oldest and largest minority clergy association in St Louis). He has been appointed by the Saint Louis County Executive to the St. Louis County Justice Services Advisory Board. He is a “Life Member” of the NAACP.
Dr. Hankerson initiated the Life Center Radio Program and the Keys for Life Television Program. He now has an extensive social media following of over 1,000,000 viewers annually.
Bishop Hankerson has travelled extensively, including: all 50 states and many countries. He has been sent to the nation of Israel on four occasions, having the honor to have preached the Gospel in Jerusalem, Israel twice.
The love and inspiration of Dr. Hankerson’s life is his lovely wife, Evangelist Rachel L. Hankerson of 23 years and 9 months (who went home to be with the Lord) and their three children: Elijah IV, Raquel and Matthew, who are 5th generation members of COGIC.