Church of God in Christ to hold community giveaway before 118th Holy Convocation in St. Louis, Missouri

The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) will hold a community giveaway this weekend, ahead of tens of thousands of delegates arriving in St. Louis for worship and fellowship. The outreach sets the stage for the denomination’s 118th Holy Convocation, Nov. 3-10, under the theme “Answering the Call.” The eight-day gathering will feature lectures, anointing, worship, consecration and Holy Communion services, youth events and church business. Earlier, during the Sunday morning service at the Edward Jones Dome as part of the 105th Holy Convocation, spiritual dancers praised God through movement.

COGIC is the largest African American Pentecostal Christian denomination and one of the largest Pentecostal bodies in the world. Explore St. Louis projected that the gathering’s return would generate approximately $250 million in regional economic impact over three years. The convocation returns to St. Louis after a six-year hiatus. The city hosted the event from 2010 to 2019, drawing more than 30,000 attendees annually. Before 2010, the conventions were held in Memphis for more than a century. In 2025, COGIC officials voted to return to St. Louis for three years after failing to reach satisfactory agreements with Memphis leadership and the local hospitality industry.

Pastor Edgar O. Madison Jr., who leads Kennerly Temple COGIC in the Ville neighborhood, said he was excited about the return and the revenue it would bring. He also said the church was “answering the call for the needs of the people of the world,” adding that people were looking for answers on salvation, healing and deliverance, and that society was searching for help amid the current economy. Donna Hykes, a member of Bethany Church of God in Christ, said she loved the Memphis conventions but welcomed this year’s return, with the main activities at America’s Center Convention Complex. She said that holding services, meetings and meals in one venue allowed members to worship together. Hykes also said she would be installed during COGIC’s Women’s Day event as women’s supervisor for nearly 40 churches in eastern Missouri and western Illinois.

Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, one of 12 General Board members and pastor of Life Center International COGIC in St. Louis County, said he was eager to highlight the organization’s benevolent activities. He said the week would include “good church” and that he was looking forward to events such as “Christmas in November,” where resources would be given to the community. According to COGIC, that free community outreach event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, 1408 N. Kingshighway Blvd. Families and individuals will receive coats, toys, groceries and household items. Offering practical help to neighbors in need reflects the call to care for the hungry and the poor (Isaiah 58:7).

Bishop Marquaello A. Futrell Sr., pastor of All Creation Northview Holiness Family Church in Ferguson, is coordinating the event. He said he looked forward to partnering with the St. Louis Urban League, World Vision and Catholic Charities to bring in truckloads of clothes, toys and other items for the community. Futrell said the region and other cities had already benefited from COGIC’s outreach. He said that after last year’s tornado hit St. Louis, the national church donated tens of thousands of dollars to multiple churches to help them return to stability. He added that attendees at the COGIC Charities dinner would see how the church had given back to various cities and places torn apart by devastation.

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