Church of God in Christ kicks off 115th Holy Convocation in Memphis
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) kicked off its 115th Holy Convocation in Memphis this morning, Nov. 7.
This is the second year the event has been in Memphis since returning after relocating for several years.
“We anticipate this year is going to be great. You have over 20,000 hotels rooms booked over the next few days with the saints,” CEO of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Kevin Kane, said.
The annual COGIC event unites people from 50 states and other foreign countries as far away as Eastern Europe, church officials said.
While their trek to the Bluff City is spiritual, it also has financial implications: COGIC says the convention from Nov. 7-14 will pump as much as $35 million into the local economy.
COGIC, headquartered in Memphis, is one of the oldest Pentecostal denominations in the world, with an umbrella of 12,000 churches spanning 105 nations.
Kane said that when the saints relocated their Convocation to St. Louis for nearly a decade it left a huge void for the hospitality industry in Memphis.
“You know the infrastructure has improved a lot. They are a big group almost too big for Memphis,” Kane said.
Kane told FOX13 that Memphis still isn’t where it needs to be to meet accommodations for COGIC. He said that making sure hotel rooms and leisure options continue to grow in Memphis will be a huge part in making sure COGIC remains for years to come.
“Well traditionally the Holy Convocation was one of the busiest convention weeks in the entire year. Year in and year out. Losing them for a number of years left a big hole in our community especially in the hospitality industry. So it’s great to have them back and we hope to have them here for many many years to come,” he said.
COGIC Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard said that “The Holy Convocation is a time of spiritual renewal, a time of unity, and a time of community service. We gather in Memphis with open hearts and open hands, ready to make a difference.”
Activities tied to the official convention started beforehand on Nov. 4 during “Christmas in November,” when attendees distributed food and clothes and other goods to those in need.
On Nov. 8, COGIC leaders are scheduled to visit a local school and read to children to promote literacy.
Activities also include a health fair from Nov. 8-11, when visitors can get a health checkup, COVID booster shots and other medical assistance.
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