Dr. Mattie McGlothen Library / Museum
VOLUME XX,   NO.XI
COGIC HEADQUARTERS. MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
NOVEMBER, 1987
HOLY CONVOCATION
The Eightieth Holy Convocation
was conducted in the splendid
manner we saints have grown
accustom. The experience was
super charged with spirit filled
worship and fellowship. From
the opening session to the
closing general assembly prayer,
the Lord guided our every effort
to success. Daily hundreds of
prayer warriors committed
themselves to fasting and
praying Locally, the saints of
Memphis held fast and prayer
watch services which began
Sunday night. Everything
accomplished supported the
overall hope for a successful
meeting.
The pre musical was true to its
tradition Dr. Mattie Clark
scheduled an array of talent. She
offered    something   old   and
-.oMi.thinal    new      The    musical
featured locally talented choir
directors and song writers.
These writers got an
opportunity to direct the
national choir, as the choir sang
their original songs. Surely.
Elder Reginald Martin, Sister
Deborah Flagg and Sister Faye
Coleman will long remember
that night of glory
The following day the saints
were on their knees praying. The
opening session was proceeded
with powerful prayer. Bishop
Ithiel Clemmons and his devoted
group of prayer warriors were
joined by the saints in glorious
praise. Afterward the general
officers of the Church greeted
the   saints.    Bishop   J.    0.
Patterson, Sr , addressed the
saints and made comments on
an issue which would endured
the  length  of the meeting:
newspaper coverage. The bishop
was   concerned   about   the
negative press the Memphis
newspaper gives the saints.
Bishop encouraged the pastors
to provide leadership for the
saints of God. He encouraged the
saints to trust God inspite of
governmental, economical or
social failures   He asked the
brethren to be mindful of the
purpose for which they came to
Memphis and spend their time
worshiping God   He expressed
these things because the papers
reported    the    saints    are    in
trouble. He stated, "The saints
are not in trouble " He asked
that individuals stop going to the
press with church business but
come to the leadership and do
things properly. He warned that
going to the wrong source for
support will only hurt.
The convocation had an array of
speakers. The Word was being
presented at every turn. Bishop
Robert Woodard of Houston,
Texas was presented by Bishop
0. T Jones, Jr , and proceeded
to preach. When the elderly and
very senior bishop stepped to the
pulpit, he appeared weak
However, he preached with the
power of a man half his years.
He moved the entire convocation
with the depth of his wisdom.
His text was taken from Acts 13
and his theme was "The Holy
Ghost." The Dr. M. L. Johnson
preached from Acts 17:24-28.
The Elder Johnson was the
celebrated "Ram in the Bush."
His thought, "A Declaration of
Dependence" was slowly and
deliberately brought forth. By
the time he got to his closing
statements he was on fire! Elder
Warren Crudup of Washington,
D. C., was presented by  the
Bishop Jacob Cohen.  Bishop
Cohen was full of song and spirit
that day, and prepared the way
for Elder Crudup. Elder Crudup
took his text from Euke9"23. and
boldly  preached,  "Come On."
The message encouraged the
saints to keep going inspite of
sacrifice and therefore realize
the victory in following Jesus.
The Evangelist Richard (Mr
Clean) White was next. Bishop
C   L. Anderson brought him
before the saints. Everybody
knows Mr. Clean and that he can
really preach. He took his text
from    Luke    21:25-28,    and
developed a unique theme: "How
To Survive The Big One." It just
can't   be  explained!   Truly,
whatever one believes the big
Bishop J. O. Patterson, Sr. leading the saints in praise
and worship.
one to be, that's not it. The way
he ended the message was rare.
Just ask a saint who was there
to "raise their hands if they are
sure?" Sound Familiar?
Bishop Nathaniel  Wells was
next and he effectively presented
himself before the convocation.
He    took    his    texts    from
Revelation  12:1 4, and Isaiah
66:7-9.    The    thought    was
provoking  as   he  lifted   up,
"Deliverance In The Belly Of
The Church." His clear and well
prepared  thought  moved the
saints. There is hope in the
reality of the Holy Ghost and the
bishop's  message  was  indeed
supportive.
The   Women's   Day   added
another beautiful chapter to this
meeting. Mother McGlothen
gave  only  a   few  words  of
encouragement and they were
well seasoned and uplifting. The
message that morning was given
by   Mother   Emma   Crouch.
Supervisor Crouch spoke from
Mark 5:34, and told the saints
about, "A Woman With A Touch
Of Faith."  That  night  the
department    pulled    out    a
Continued on page 7
OLD TIME HOLINESS
OFFICIAL DAY
The Cook Convention Center
Complex    was   jammed    to
capacity   as   Bishop   J.   0.
Patterson, Jr .opened the official
day service with prayer   The
choir and the newly formed J. 0.
Patterson Orchestra were poised
to receive the bishops and
general officers of the Church.
The enormous auditorium was
supercharged with excitement
and anticipation of the worship
service. Guests from around the
nation and the world were in
attendance, including
presidency      hopeful,      Pat
Robertson. Mr. Robertson was
introduced by the presiding
bishop as a friend and brother.
The   presidential   candidate
presented Miss America, Kelly
Cash, who sang, and then he
gave remarks.
Mr Robertson, a former
preacher and television
evangelist is no stranger to large
crowds. He shaped his remarks
around the current campaign for
president. Robertson has a
vision for America which
included only the best of
Christian principles He stated
his commitment to education,
warfare upon crime, drugs and
the circumstances which
separate people from the
promises found within the
American dream. The Saints
gladly accepted his remarks as
food for thought. The
convocation was also honored
that Miss Cash sang a beautiful
gospel number
The presiding officer of the
Church was ready to preach.
Before he delivered his annual
message, he spoke about the
couple who were accosted during
the meeting. It is hard to imagine
saints being robbed, and one
shot during the meeting Bishop
was praising God that Deacon
Rev Pat Robertson visited the saints on official day. He and Miss America. Miss Kelly
Cash enjoyed the fellowship and preaching of our presiding bishop.
Anderson and his wife were
spared during the ordeal. People
in Memphis normally have so
much respect for the saints!
The bishop cited the newspaper
reports which over the course of
the week demeaned our saints.
Controversy has been generated,
and bishop reflected, "without
need or provocation." He
prefaced his remarks by stating
he wanted everyone to feel
comfortable. Bishop Patterson is
mindful that both Black and
White saints watch the Church
of God in Christ. He pointed out
that offences come to help the
Church. He then cautioned the
saints, "Don't get it in your mind
this was done (negative news
reporting) only because we are
Continued on page 7