During the month of September, the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. (COGIC) pays tribute to the founder of the denomination – Bishop Charles Harrison Mason – through events and spiritual celebrations. This year there are major events scheduled to be held in Memphis on “Loyalty Day” Wednesday, September 8.  

COGIC’S new International Administrative Headquarters building is named for Deacon John Lee, an early supporter of COGIC founder Bishop Charles H. Mason. (Courtesy photo)

The first event is the COGIC Leadership Empowerment Symposium that is exclusively for COGIC credential holders. The luncheon will be held at the downtown Marriott from noon until 3 p.m.

The second event is the official dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the COGIC International Administrative Headquarters John Lee Building at 5 p.m. on the Mason Temple campus. The third event is the Bishop Charles E. Mason Founder’s Day Denominational Celebration that begins at 7 p.m. at Mason Temple, 930 Mason Street. These two events are open to the public.   

“I always look forward to this time of the year when we spend time paying tribute to and remembering our beloved founder Bishop Mason on Loyalty Day,” said COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr.

“Our churches around the world set aside this day to raise a special offering to support COGIC’s urban initiatives, international missions and education facilities. We could not do it without our committed members who make it all happen. I’m excited about this day and attending all the events with our members.”

General Board Member Bishop Sedgwick Daniels was appointed by the presiding bishop to serve as chairperson for “Loyalty Day” 2010. “On Wednesday, we will dedicate our new International Administrative Headquarters that will be named after John Lee,” said Daniels.

Deacon John Lee was a supporter of Bishop Mason and allowed him to use his home in Lexington, Miss., as a haven for the Bishop. The ministry quickly outgrew Lee’s home, but his contributions greatly advanced the work of the Church.

“I am overwhelmed at what we are about to accomplish on our Mason Temple campus.  God is truly working with our leadership and membership to accomplish great things,” said Daniels.

For more information on “Loyalty Day” visit www.cogic.org.