Who we are

In April 1970, the General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ authorized the Charles Harrison Mason Theological Seminary to become a Constituent Seminary of the ITC. The Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary is the oldest fully accredited Pentecostal Seminary in America; and the Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary is the only fully accredited African American Pentecostal Seminary in the United States. The first class to graduate from the Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary in 1972 was the following: Dorothy Webster Exumé, Calvin D. Kinsey, Isaac Richmond, and John P. Ruth and, since its inception, the Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary has graduated forty-six classes.

 

Beginning in 1973, the Church of God in Christ established schools in the C. H. Mason System of Bible Colleges in Memphis at the Tennessee Headquarters, Tennessee 4th and Tennessee 5th Jurisdictions. These three schools later merged in 1998.

In December 2000, the newly elected Presiding Bishop, Gilbert Earl Patterson, appointed Dr. Alonzo Johnson, as the Commissioner of Education. The Commission was responsible for the Church of God in Christ Association of Christian Schools; Ecumenism, History and Scholarship; and the C.H. Mason System of Bible Colleges and Institutes. The C.H. Mason System of Bible Colleges and Institutes, which offered the two-year ordination and licensure certificate program, was then renamed the C. H. Mason Jurisdictional Institutes.

In 2002, the Commission merged the C.H. Mason Bible College of Memphis and the newly proposed All Saints Bible which was now authorized to award Associate and Bachelor’s degrees.

The Education Commission Provides:

  • High School College and Career Preparation
  • Ministerial Licensure and Ordination Certification
  • Associate and Bachelor Degrees
  • Master and Doctoral Degrees

About our Chancellor

Bishop Chadwick Carlton

Chancellor

Bishop Chadwick Fionn Carlton is a pastor, entrepreneur, mentor, husband, and father, who relishes opportunities to engage multi-ethnic cultures seeking to interpret human dynamics, specifically those that enjoin racial antipathy, pathos, and public incivilities that do not undergird social harmony. These interests are the underpinnings for his social work as Chief Operating Officer of Lifejacket, Incorporated, a federally sanctioned company organized to abate hunger and homelessness domestically and internationally; Blue Water, a Foundation that he serves as Principal Chairman, with the primary purpose of supporting human development initiatives such as financial literacy, racial justice, and post-secondary academic support.

Through his church, The Temple of Healing Waters Church of God in Christ, Dulles, Virginia, Bishop Carlton engages congregants to advance measurable change spiritually and naturally.

In November 2019, during the 112th Annual Holy Convocation of the Church of God in Christ, Bishop Carlton was consecrated to the office of Jurisdictional Prelate, Republic of Korea Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction by Presiding Bishop Charles Edward Blake, Sr., with the assistance of members of the General Board.

In March 2020, Bishop Carlton was appointed as the Commissioner of Education for the Church of God in Christ by Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard. The Following year, March 2021, he was appointed as the Dean of the Episcopal Academy.

In August 2023, Bishop Carlton was appointed as the Chancellor of Education and President of Charles Harrison Mason Theological Seminary by Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard. Bishop Carlton spends countless hours coaching business leaders, professional athletes, and pastors across the domestic United States on techniques that would maximize their personal gifts and the religious and civic institutions they serve.

Bishop Carlton is a scholar and post-secondary educator, earning degrees from the University of Maryland, Bachelor of Arts; St. Thomas University, Master of Science; Wesley Theological Seminary, Master of Theological Studies; Wesley Theological Seminary, Doctor of Ministry (DMin); LaSalle University, Doctor of Theology (ThD). Bishop Carlton is currently enrolled in the Executive Scholar Program at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. He is married to Evangelist M. Darice Carlton, and has three children: Dylan, Dru, and Denver.

Deputy Chancellors

Bishop Matthew Brown

Deputy Chancellor and Chief of Staff

Bishop Matthew Brown is an anointed teacher, administrator, and gifted motivational speaker. His prior experience in the legislative arena for the City of Buffalo and the National Church, including the General Assembly space and will aid the Commission in its overall objectives.

Bishop Brown will serve as the Deputy Chancellor and Chief of Staff to assist the Chancellor of Education with strategic planning, organizational implementation, and management.

Dr. Margaret Gilmore

Deputy Chancellor of Special Projects

Dr. Margaret Gilmore currently serves as the Superintendent of Allendale County School District in Allendale, South Carolina. Dr. Gilmore has extensive experience as a Diagnostic Review Lead Evaluator for AdvancED/COGNIA, in providing and facilitating leadership in leading comprehensive evidence-based External Review Teams and Accreditation Teams.

Dr. Gilmore will serve as the Deputy Chancellor of Special Projects and will be responsible for establishing and maintaining constructive relationships with elected and appointed officials on a federal and state level and other prioritized networking activities.

Dr. Ernest Jeffries

Deputy Chancellor of Business Development

Dr. Ernest Jeffries currently serves as the Vice President of Student Engagement at Mary Baldwin University where he provides oversight to the Division of Student Engagement.

Dr. Jeffries will serve as the Deputy Chancellor of Business Development interfacing with Fortune 500 companies and establishing partnerships to secure philanthropic support at major gift levels to fund the priorities of the C. H. Mason Collegiate System.

Dr. Monica Clayton

Deputy Chancellor of Communication

Dr. Monica Clayton joins us with over a decade of experience as a Business and Psychology Professor, marketing consultant, and entrepreneur. She has also had prior experience as a Health Information Systems Project Manager, Exceptional Education Teacher, and Therapist.

Dr. Clayton will be responsible for all formal communication from the Education Commission including media inquiries, marketing, and promotion.

Our C.H. Mason Collegiate System and Programs

Dr. Harold Bennett

Dean of the C.H. Mason Theological Seminary

Dr. Harold Bennett has published books, commentaries, and several articles that explore issues in Biblical Exegesis and Hermeneutics, Religious Ethics, and Moral Philosophy, including a book on Critical Race Theory and Biblical Hermeneutics. Dr. Bennett is the host of the Pentecost for Life Broadcast, an Afrocentric, Pentecostal Bible teaching ministry.

Dr. Bennett will serve as the Dean of the C.H. Mason Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center.

Bishop Herbert Reynolds Davis

Director of C.H. Mason Jurisdictional Institutes

Dr. Herbert Reynolds Davis maintains an active academic, ecclesiastical, and advocacy profile engaging: Church Planting, Community Organizing and Advocacy, Christian Theology, Leadership Development and Organizational Consulting.

Bishop Davis will serve as the Associate Chancellor/ Director of C.H. Mason Jurisdictional Institutes. He will be responsible for managing ordination and licensing programs and ensuring jurisdictions have a functioning C.H. Mason System of Jurisdictional Institute. He will also monitor COGIC-wide uniformity of curriculum content and examination of candidates.

Bishop Charles Brown

President, O.T. Jones Institute

Bishop Carles Brown is known as an innovator and visionary leader. He is a man of vision and purpose, and filled with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of God’s Word. He has conducted numerous seminars, and conferences and specializes in leadership development. His manual “Job Descriptions for the Local Church ” and his book “The Work of The Ministry ” have helped numerous churches organize and work effectively in ministry. Bishop Brown has traveled extensively all over the United States and many nations in Africa, preaching to thousands and evangelizing the Word of a God to a lost and dying world.

Bishop Charles Brown will serve as the President of the O.T. Jones Institute.

Bishop Joseph Fisher

President of All Saints Bible College

Dr. Joseph Fisher is a retired educator, after serving for 22 years as the Assistant Commissioner of Education for the State of Tennessee.

Bishop Fisher serves as the President of All Saints Bible College (ASBC) and operation of All Saints Bible College, engaging and partnering with Education Commission colleagues regarding enrollment, and other activities regarding ASBC.

Bishop Tyrone McCombs

Associate Chancellor of the Board of Regents

Bishop Tyrone McCombs has worked in higher education for over 29 years serving in various capacities and is currently a tenured Professor of Education and Executive Director of a Center focused on access and equity in education.

Bishop McCombs will serve as Associate Chancellor for the Board of Regents. He will be responsible for the general supervision of all educational activities for post-secondary educational institutions within the Education Commission. He will also provide governance that oversees the administration of the educational institutions within the Church of God in Christ (COGIC).

Associate Chancellors

Dr. Kenneth Newman

Associate Chancellor for Internal Affairs

Dr. Kenneth Newman has over 20 years of educational and administrative experience and currently serves as an Education & Ministry Consultant providing educational, ministry, and leadership development for schools and ministries.

Dr. Newman will serve as the Associate Chancellor for Internal Affairs. He will be responsible for Institutional Compliance Control and Accreditation, Instructional Information Technology, Online Clearinghouse and Online Education, and Curriculum Development.

Ms. Amber Freeman

Legal Counsel

Ms. Amber Freeman is an energetic legal professional whose expertise encompasses time in state legislatures, circuit courts, government, and private industry. She currently works with the Federal Government, primarily working the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.

Ms. Freeman will serve as Legal Counsel and advise on legal issues related to the Constitution, students’ rights, employment matters, procurement, and contracts.  She will also provide information and assistance in the review of procedures and programs to ensure legal compliance. 

Pastor Bryan Jones

Director of Administration

Pastor Bryan Jones has extensive training having served in the United States Marine Corps which prepared him to be a strategic leader and administrator.

Pastor Jones will serve as the Director of Administration and will be responsible for strategic management and administrative operations for the Education Commission.  Pastor Jones will work closely with the Chancellor of Education and Works collaboratively with the various Associate Chancellors on operational initiatives for the Education Commission.

Mrs. Rochelle Jones

Coordinator, Human Resources

Mrs. Rochelle Jones is a seasoned Human Resources professional currently working as an HR Specialist with an emphasis on Employee Relations. She has provided HR guidance, training, and mentorship to management over the span of her career.

Mrs. Jones will serve as the Coordinator, Human Resources administering Human Resources (HR) functions supporting the Associate Chancellor of Personnel Development for the Education Commission and providing administrative support to the HR function.

Superintendent Anthony Wheeler

Associate Chancellor for External Affairs

Supt. Anthony Wheeler’s professional focus has been on successfully identifying creative and sustainable funding strategies for domestic non-profits and global missions. He currently serves as a personal advisor and strategist for executives in both Non-profit and For-Profit industries.

Supt. Wheeler will serve as the Associate Chancellor for External Affairs. He will be responsible for Crowdfunding which includes funding projects or ventures that involve solicitation of monetary contributions from various donor sources. He will also be responsible for Marketing, Promotion, Recruiting, Enrollment, and Retention.

Mrs. Veronica Ali

Comptroller

Mrs. Veronica Ali has devoted over 20 years serving in the nonprofit sector, where she has gained expansive knowledge in accounting, finance, HR, IT, endowments, and grants management.

Mrs. Ali will serve as Comptroller and oversee financial management and maintain fiscal oversight of the Church of God In Christ Educational Systems various branch campuses and education centers. She will also review and analyze major contractual obligations of the institution to ensure consistency with overall financial goals and objectives.

Ms. Alana Robinson

Associate Chancellor for Personnel Development

Ms. Alana Robinson has worked in the field of Human Resources for over 20 years. Executive Leaders of Fortune 500 companies have leaned heavily on her insight for strategic planning of their Human Resources Departments.

Ms. Robinson will serve as the Associate Chancellor for Personnel Development. She will be responsible for all activities of the Human Resources (HR) function. She will plan, lead, develop, and implement policies and processes to support the Education Commission’s HR needs.