Our Mission is to help Churches, Small Independent Churches / Are you a small independent church looking for a more meaningful program in your church for development in the 'Kingdom Ministry'? We are providing you to ask you questions regarding your decision to build a Kingdom Ministry in your church. A discussion group can be formed and articles can be posted about problems you may have encountered, and other items considered helpful to development of your church's desire to improve its ministry with a more promising future with a body of churches that a great rich history. As we discuss the support from others in fellowship, we will be able to post a reply to you also about what we are experiencing in our development in this great body of churches ministry. We are also able to express our determination and observation in a direct way to others in the church's body of ministry keeping before everyone a sincere drive to strengthen the bond of church's fellowship, ministry and vision. There is a support department within the COGIC, International, and there is an on-going caring ministry from the Office of the Church and Bishop that will reply to questions posted by those in our Diocese, Pastors and Churches. You can receive this support by sending an e-mail to me at: {bishop@cogicinternational.us} for a personal reply; or placing a call often to the my Office of this Diocese of the Church in Jackson, MS. Write: to us P.O. Box 328 Jackson, MS 39205 Or you may contact the Body of CHURCHES OF GOD IN CHRIST, INTERNATIONAL, Assistant Senior Bishop Bishop Dr.R.G.Gatling Sr. Connecticut Diocese 182 Atwood Road Thomaston,CT 06787 860-283-4665 email: runfinished@aol.com ...Welcome to the site!

History

Bishop J. L. Payne was born the year Bishop C. H. Mason built Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee, year of 1940. He now represent a branch of the true COGIC'S spirit, message, burden and the church's passion under which he was born into Christ in the USA. Bishop has brought to our attention the New Testament's church pattern, order, structure and message. The Apostle's Ministry in the church. Bishop J. L. Payne came to Christ under the ministry of the late Bishop C. H. Mason and the late Bishop A. B. McEwen, who was the lst Chairman of Board, COGIC. Bishop McEwen was the architect of the Mason Temple and later the church's publishing house. Bishop Payne began his ministry under the late Bishop A. B. McEwen. He grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and finish school at Manassas High School. Under Bishop McEwen's guidance and leadership Dr. J. L. Payne went into missions of the church, also influenced by Bishop Samuel Crouch in Los Angeles, California, (The 1st mission president of the Mission Department, COGIC, west coast). He spent (7) years in Hawaii and later completed his studies at the University of Hawaii and earned a Doctor of Divinity Degree at Honolulu Bible College and American Bible College. In Hawaii, he assists in the establishment of the Pearl City Church of God in Christ in Pearl City, Hawaii, The Churches in Wahiawa, Hawaii and Hauula, Hawaii under the leadership of Bishop T. H. Sadler. He was appointed Assistant Bishop of State of Hawaii under Bishop T. H. Sadler, the youngest Bishop in the Church of God in Christ in 1960. Over these five decades of Bishop's ministry for Christ there has been unending of the exploits for Christ. The bible says, they that know the Lord shall be strong and do many exploits. Bishop Payne founded and established in 1976 Payne Bible College with over 500 students completed and acquired Degrees from the School throughout the world over these intervening years. Payne Bible College's curriculum is presently online via the Internet. Bishop Payne now serves as the Chancellor of Payne Bible College, The Diocese Bishop and Chief Apostle of the merger of Christ Churches; the Church of God In Christ, USA Internatioanl, Jackson, MS. * A recent Jackson's City Council Resolution observed his 50th years in ministry and over 32 years as a Bishop in the church.

What we Believe

THE BIBLE We believe that the Bible is the Word of God and contains one harmonious and sufficiently complete system of doctrine. We believe in the full inspiration of the Word of God. We hold the Word of God to be the only authority in all matters and assert that no doctrine can be true or essential, if it does not find a place in this Word. THE FATHER We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Author and Creator of all things. The Old Testament reveals God in diverse manners, by manifesting his nature, character, and dominions. The Gospels in the New Testament give us knowledge of God the "Father" or "My Father", showing the relationship of God to Jesus as Father, or representing Him as the Father in the Godhead, and Jesus himself that Son (St. John 15:8, 14:20). Jesus also gives God the distinction of "Fatherhood" to all believers when he explains God in the light of "Your Father in Heaven" (St. Matthew 6:8). THE SON We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Second person in the Godhead of the Trinity or Triune Godhead. We believe that Jesus was and is eternal in his person and nature as the Son of God who was with God in the beginning of creation (St. John 1:1). We believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin called Mary according to the scripture (St. Matthew 1:18), thus giving rise to our fundamental belief in the Virgin Birth and to all of the miraculous events surrounding the phenomenon (St. Matthew 1:18-25). We believe that Jesus Christ became the "suffering servant" to man; this suffering servant came seeking to redeem man from sin and to reconcile him back to God, his Father (Romans 5:10). We believe that Jesus Christ is standing now as mediator between God and man (I Timothy 2:5). THE HOLY GHOST We believe the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, proceeds from the Father and the Son, is of the same substance, equal to power and glory, and is together with the Father and the Son, to be believed in, obeyed, and worshipped. The Holy Ghost is a gift bestowed upon the believer for the purpose of equipping and empowering the believer, making him a more effective witness for service in the world. He teaches and guides one into all truth (John 16:13; Acts 1:8, 8:39). THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST We believe that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is an experience subsequent to conversion and sanctification and that tongue-speaking is the consequence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost with the manifestations of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; Acts 10:46, 19:1-6). We believe that we are not baptized with the Holy Ghost in order to be saved (Acts 19:1-6; John 3:5). When one receives a baptismal Holy Ghost experience, we believe one will speak with a tongue unknown to oneself according to the sovereign will of Christ. To be filled with the Spirit means to be Spirit controlled as expressed by Paul in Ephesians 5:18-19. Since the charismatic demonstrations were necessary to help the early church to be successful in implementing the command of Christ, we therefore, believe that a Holy Ghost experience is mandatory for all men today. MAN We believe that man was created holy by God, composed of body and soul. We believe that man, by nature, is sinful and unholy. Being born in sin, he needs to be born again, sanctified and cleansed from all sins by the blood of Jesus. We believe that man is saved by confessing and forsaking his sins, and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and that having become a child of God, by being born again and adopted into the family of God, he may, and should, claim the inheritance of the sons of God, namely the baptism of the Holy Ghost. SIN Sin, the Bible teaches, began in the angelic world (Ezekiel 28:11-19; Isaiah 14:12-20), and is transmitted into the blood of the human race through disobedience and deception motivated by unbelief (I Timothy 2:14). Adam's sin, committed by eating of the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, carried with it permanent pollution or depraved human nature to all his descendants. This is called "original sin." Sin can now be defined as a volitional transgression against God and a lack of conformity to the will of God. We, therefore, conclude that man by nature, is sinful and that he has fallen from a glorious and righteous state from which he was created, and has become unrighteous and unholy. Man, therefore, must be restored to his state of holiness from which he has fallen by being born again (St. John 3:7). SALVATION Salvation deals with the application of the work of redemption to the sinner with his restoration to divine favor and communion with God. This redemptive operation of the Holy Ghost upon sinners is brought about by repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ which brings conversion, faith, justification regeneration, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Repentance is the work of God, which results in a change of mind in respect to man's relationship to God. (St. Matthew 3:1-2, 4:17; Acts 20:21). Faith is a certain conviction wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, as to the truth of the Gospel and a heart trust in the promises of God in Christ (Romans 1:17, 3:28; St. Matthew 9:22; Acts 26:18). Conversion is that act of God whereby He causes the regenerated sinner, in his conscious life, to turn to Him in repentance and faith (II Kings 5:15; II Chronicles 33:12-13; St. Luke 19:8, 9; Acts 8:30). Regeneration is that act of God by which the principle of the new life is implanted in man, and the governing disposition of soul is made holy and the first holy exercise of this new disposition is secured. Sanctification is that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Ghost, by which He delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God and enables him to perform good works (Romans 6:4;5:6; Colossians 2:12; 3:1). ANGELS The Bible uses the term "angel" (a heavenly body) clearly and primarily to denote messengers or ambassadors of God with such scripture references as Revelations 4:5, which indicates their duty in heaven to praise God (Psalm 103:20), to do God's will (St. Matthew 18:10) and to behold his face. But since heaven must come down to earth, they also have a mission to earth. The Bible indicates that they accompanied God in the Creation, and also that they will accompany Christ in His return in Glory. DEMONS Demons denote unclean or evil spirits; they are sometimes called devils or demonic beings. They are evil spirits, belonging to the unseen or spiritual realm, embodied in human beings. The Old Testament refers to the prince of demons, sometimes called Satan (Adversary) or Devil, as having power and wisdom, taking the habitation of other forms such as the serpent (Genesis 3:1). The New Testament speaks of the Devil as Tempter (St. Matthew 4:3) and it goes on to tell the works of Satan, The Devil, and Demons as combating righteousness and good in any form, proving to be an adversary to the saints. Their chief power is exercised to destroy the mission of Jesus Christ. It can well be said that the Christian Church believes in Demons, Satan, and Devils. We believe in their power and purpose. We believe they can be subdued and conquered as in the commandment to the believer by Jesus. "In my name they shall cast out Satan and the work of the Devil and to resist him and then he will flee (WITHDRAW) from you." (St. Mark 16:17). THE CHURCH The Church forms a spiritual unity of which Christ is the divine head. It is animated by one Spirit, the Spirit of Christ. It professes one faith, shares one hope, and serves one King,. It is the citadel of the truth and God's agency for communicating to believers all spiritual blessings. The Church then is the object of our faith rather than of knowledge. The name of our Church, "CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST" is supported by I Thessalonians 2:14 and other passages in the Pauline Epistles. The word "CHURCH" or "EKKLESIA" was first applied to the Christian society by Jesus Christ in St. Matthew 16:18, the occasion being that of his benediction of Peter at Caesarea Phillippi. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST We believe in the second coming of Christ; that He shall come from heaven to earth, personally, bodily, visibly (Acts 1:11; Titus 2:11-13; St. Matthew 16:27; 24:30; 25:30; Luke 21:27; John 1:14, 17; Titus 2:11) and that the Church, the bride, will be caught up to meet Him in the air (I Thessalonians, 4:16-17). We admonish all who have this hope to purify themselves as He is pure. DIVINE HEALING The Church of God in Christ believes in and practices Divine Healing. It is a commandment of Jesus to the Apostles (St. Mark 16:18). Jesus affirms his teachings on healing by explaining to His disciples, who were to be Apostles, that healing the afflicted is by faith (St. Luke 9:40-41). Therefore, we believe that healing by faith in God has scriptural support and ordained authority. St. James' writings in his epistle encourage Elders to pray for the sick, lay hands upon them and to anoint them with oil, and that prayers with faith shall heal the sick and the Lord shall raise them up. Healing is still practiced widely and frequently in the Church of God in Christ, and testimonies of healing in our Church testify to this fact. MIRACLES The Church of God in Christ believes that miracles occur to convince men that the Bible is God's Word. A miracle can be defined as an extraordinary visible act of Divine power, wrought by the efficient agency of the will of God, which has as its final cause the vindication of the righteousness of God's word. We believe that the works of God, which were performed during the beginnings of Christianity, do and will occur even today where God is preached, Faith in Christ is exercised, The Holy Ghost is active, and the Gospel is promulgated in the truth (Acts 5:15; 6:8; 9:40; Luke 4:36, 7:14-15; 5:5-6; St. Mark 14:15). THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH It is generally admitted that for an ordinance to be valid, it must have been instituted by Christ. When we speak of ordinances of the church, we are speaking of those instituted by Christ, in which by sensible signs the grace of God in Christ, and the benefits of the covenant of grace are represented, sealed, and applied to believers, and these in turn give expression to their faith and allegiance to God. The Church Of God In Christ recognizes three ordinances as having been instituted by Christ himself and therefore, binding upon the church practice. A. THE LORD'S SUPPER (HOLY COMMUNION) The Lord's Supper symbolizes the Lord's death and suffering for the benefit and in the place of His people. It also symbolizes the believer's participation in the crucified Christ. It represents not only the death of Christ as the object of faith which unites the believers to Christ, but also the effect of this act as the giving of life, strength, and joy to the soul. The communicant by faith enters into a special spiritual union of his soul with the glorified Christ. B. FEET WASHING Feet Washing is practiced and recognized as an ordinance in our Church because Christ, by His example, showed that humility characterized greatness in the Kingdom of God, and that service, rendered to others gave evidence that humility, motivated by love, exists. These services are held subsequent to the Lord's Supper; however, its regularity is left to the discretion of the Pastor in charge. C. WATER BAPTISM We believe that Water Baptism is necessary as instructed by Christ in St. John 3:5 "UNLESS MAN BE BORN AGAIN OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT However, we do not believe that water baptism alone is a means of salvation, but is an outward demonstration that one has already had a conversion experience and has accepted Christ as his personal Savior. As Pentecostals, we practice immersion in preference to "SPRINKLING", because immersion corresponds more closely to the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord (Colossians 2:12). It also symbolizes regeneration and purification more than any other mode. Therefore, we practice immersion as our mode of Baptism. We believe that we should use the Baptismal Formula given us by Christ for all "IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST (St. Matthew 28:19) email us: cogicintl@sbcglobal.net Fax: 203-755-8433

Senior Bishop Dr.John Henry Davis

Senior Bishop & Chief Apostle Bishop New York Diocese 225-26 112th Road Queens Village,NY 11429 718-217-2584

Brief History of the COGIC, International

A BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, INTERNATIONAL (Arkansas) In the year of 1895, Elders C.P. Jones, J.A. Geter, C.H. Mason and others while searching the scriptures, saw that they could not be saved without holiness. They were sanctified through the truth and began to preach this doctrine to their hearers. Because of such doctrine, they were ejected from the Baptist Church. Later in that same year, those same brethren congregated themselves and were known as the Church of God: Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 1:2:10-32; 2 Corinthians 1:1 and 1 Timothy 3:5:15. Because the Truth of the gospel was being assailed on every side and many false doctrines were being introduced by those who proclaimed the name but denied the power thereof, Elder C.H. Mason, being set forth to defend the Gospel, prayed earnestly for a name that would not depart from the scriptures and at the same time, distinguish the true followers from the false. It was in this attitude, that Elder Mason, while walking along a certain street in Little Rock, Arkansas, received from the Holy Ghost the name "Church of God in Christ," with the following scriptures to support it: 1 Thessalonians 2:14 - "For ye brethren became followers of the churches of God in Judea are Christ Jesus; for ye have suffered like things of your own countrymen even as they have of the Jews; 2 Thessalonians 1:1 - "Paul and Silvanus and Timotheus unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ;" and finally, Galatians 1:22 -"And was unknown by face to churches of Judea which were in Christ." The union lasted until the year 1906, when a great revival was held in Los Angeles, California, under the auspices of Elder W.J. Seymour. Elder C.H. Mason, along with many other, attended this meeting and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the signs of speaking with other tongues according to Acts 2:4 - "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance." Elder Mason returned preaching this New Testament doctrine, to which many of the brethren were averse. In August 1907, the General Assembly convened at Jackson, Missisisippi, with Elder C.P. Jones presiding as General Overseer, who was also averse and opposed to the so-called new doctrine promulgated by Elder C.H. Mason and others. After a very lengthy discussion, the assembly withdrew from Elder Mason and all who promulgated the doctrine of speaking with tongues, the right hand of fellowship.Later in the same year, Elder C.H. Mason called a meeting in Memphis, Tennessee, of all the Ministers who believed in receiving the Holy Ghost baptism according to the scriptures, Acts 2:4. Among the group of Elders who responded to this great call were: E.R. Drivers, and J. Bowed; R.R. Booker, W.M. Roberts, R.E. Hart, D.W. Welch, A.A. Blackwell, E.M. Page, R.H.I. Clark, D.J. Young, and James Brewer, Daniel Spearman and J.H. Boone. These brethren formed the First General Assembly of the Church of God In Christ, whose faith was founded upon the doctrine of the Apostle as received on the day of Pentecostal. The Lord gave Elder C.H. Mason to be the Chief Apostle, to which the entire assembly agreed. Under the leadership of Apostle Mason, the church witnessed tremendous growth and spiritual grace. As the years moved along it became necessary for the Chief Apostle to set up state assemblies over which he appointed overseers. As the work of the church grew in the country until scores were being added daily and church edifices were being erected across the nation and in foreign lands, it was laid on the heart of the Apostle to consecrate five of the overseers to the office of the Bishopric in the church.In 1933, Apostle Mason, by the laying on of the hands, assisted by the prayers of the Overseers and Elders and the General Convocation, set apart five Overseers for the office of Bishop in the church, who were, incidentally, the first five Bishops in the Church of God in Christ, aside from Apostle Mason, who received the title and office of Senior Bishop. Those consecrated were: Bishop I.S. Staffors, Detroit, Michigan; Bishop E.M. Page, Dallas, Texas; Bishop W.M. Robert, Chicago, Illinois; Bishop O.T. Jones, Philadelphia Pennsylvania; and Bishop R.F. Williams, Cleveland, Ohio. In 1961, the founder and Senior Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, was called home to be with the Lord. The saints were preparing around the world, to attend the 54th Holy Convocation and General Assembly of the Church of God in Christ, in Memphis Tennessee, when the message was sent out that Bishop Mason had fallen asleep in Jesus in Detroit, Michigan. In the General Assembly, it pleased the saints to wait a year before selecting a successor to our father in the Gospel.In the Holy Convocation of 1962, the only surviving Bishop of the original five, which had been consecrated in 1933, Bishop Ozro Thurston Jones, Sr. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was elected to the office of Senior Bishop of the Church of God in Christ. For two years, Bishop Jones presided over the church in peace, going throughout the brotherhood, continuing the work of the Lord as founded by the late Bishop Mason. In 1969 at Evanston, Illinois, Bishop William David Charles, Sr., of Evanston, Illinois, sent out a call for all of the brethren who would contend for the original doctrines, which were laid down by the founding fathers and for the only constitutional system of government of our church, namely, leadership under a Senior Bishop rather than a twelve man board, to meet him and declare themselves to be in the original church. A great quorum of Bishops, Elders and workers, met in Evanston in the month of April of that same year. The Lord, as He did in 1907 and in 1962, gave to the entire assembly the person who should lead the church in the capacity of Senior Bishop and the Chief Apostle in the person of Dr. William David Charles Williams, Sr. of Evanston, Illinois. In this same meeting the General Assembly sent out a Committee of Recommendations who returned with a recommendation that the church not depart from the scriptures and thus they suggested that the communion be called and character as "THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST INTERNATIONAL." to which the entire General Assembly attested. In the General Conference of 1970 in the month of April in New York, New York the General Council elected that the General Headquarters shall be fixed at Evanston, Illinois. Later in the same year at the General Holy Convocation, which was held at Hartford, Connecticut, the Sixty-Third Annual Session of the Holy Convocation convened and approved the appointments of the Senior Bishop to the Episcopacy of the church. Dr. Omega Wicks Sorrells of Dallas Texas was chosen as the National Supervisor of the Women Work. In the years that followed, Bishop Williams presided as Senior Bishop and Chief Apostle over the work with harmony and peace, going throughout the brotherhood continuing in the work of the Lord as founded by the late Bishop Mason. The church moved to a new level of growth, the Lord added over 18 dioceses to the work. Under Bishop Williams' leadership a National Building Fund was established and continues to grow even unto this day. In November of 1983, the Lord saw fit to call Senior Bishop William D. C. Williams, Sr. home. The Church was saddened by the passing of our organizer Bishop Williams, but was determined to stay together and continue the teaching of our spiritual father. The following year, 1984, at the National Spring Conference in Evanston, Illinois, the General Assembly was pleased to fill the vacancy of the Office of the Senior Bishop. At that meeting Bishop Tony Clemon was elected and accepted by the General Assembly as the Senior Bishop and Chief Apostle. He was later installed and Consecrated to that office at the General Holy Convocation held in Waterbury, Connecticut. In the years that followed, Bishop Clemon presided as Senior Bishop and Chief Apostle over the work and brought the church to a new height of excitement both naturally and spiritually. There is no doubt in the minds of the people that God truly chose Bishop Clemon to rally the people and spurn them to move towards acquiring a National Headquarters. In January of 1988, the Lord saw fit to call Bishop Clemon home. Although he did not live to see it, it was during his administration that the funds to purchase our present National Headquarters were raised. His words to the church, "Be Thou Faithful Unto Death", will always be remembered. The following April, Bishop John H. Davis (National Chairman under Bishop Clemon) was elected to the Office of Senior Bishop and Chief Apostle. On Saturday, August 13, 1988, Bishop Davis was Consecrated and installed as the Fifth Senior Bishop and Chief Apostle of the Church of God in Christ International at the Parkview Hilton Hotel, Hartford, Connecticut. Bishop Davis' main concern is the continual, anointing from the Lord to do God's will and work. As of this writing, we have purchased a beautiful Headquarters located at 125 N. Fisher St. in Jonesboro, Arkansas; not far from where God gave our founding father, Bishop C.H.Mason, the name of our church. We have also grown from eighteen to twenty-five dioceses (jurisdictions) and still growing. Be it known that God is still blessing and sending his spirit as this great Church of God in Christ International moves on, into the new millennium.