Later in 1897, while in Little Rock, AR, Mason believed that God had given him such a name for the group, the " Church of God in Christ " ( COGIC ).

At the time of Bishop Mason's death in 1961, COGIC had spread to every state in the Union and to many foreign countries with a membership of more than 400, 000 and more than 4000 churches.

He had led COGIC for 54 years.

Bishop Owens had outlined a progressive plan to positon COGIC for ministry in the 21st Century known as " Vision 2000 and Beyond.

Since its creation, the PCCNA has had a co-chair leadership, one of which has always been a COGIC bishop, usually a member of the General Board, and the other from one of the member organizations of the now defunct PFNA.

When she died in 1945, she had laid an impressive foundation for the women's ministry in COGIC.

The name Church of God in Christ was widely held by both groups until 1915, when Bishop C. H. Mason had the name COGIC, incorporated.

In the 1970s, after Ruth, who was affectionately called Baby Sis, had passed, their agent booked the group into Washington Temple COGIC in Brooklyn, New York for a concert.

In fact, many bishops, ministers, and members that left COGIC during the Dark Period returned in later years.

Bishop Ford is most notably credited with bringing President Bill Clinton, who was a personal friend and the only U. S. president to ever physically address COGIC at Mason Temple, during the Eighty-Sixth International Holy Convocation on November 13, 1993.

Taking the helm during a time of sorrow, transiton, and celebration, Bishop Blake reverently led COGIC through the death of Bishop G. E.

COGIC teaches that Angels are messengers sent from God who served during the Creation, throughout the old testament, the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the establishment of the church and the ministry of the apostles, and are yet at work in the Kingdom of God.

These distinctives were implemented during the formative stages of the church and continue to be utilized by many COGIC congregations around the world.

In 1982 during the Seventy-Fifth Holy Convocation, the diamond jubilee of the church, COGIC published its own hymnal, " Yes Lord " which included many arrangements and songs written by COGIC and African-American musicians and songwriters.

The Dark Years of COGIC History " ( Fairfax, VA, 2002 ).

Because COGIC was a legally incorporated religious organization, this gave its credentials a legal recognition that many independent and unaffiliated Pentecostal ministers desired, many joined the organization.

The first General Secretary of COGIC was a white elder named William B. Holt.

When the Assemblies of God was founded in 1914, invitations were sent only to white Pentecostal ministers including 350 white ministers licensed through COGIC.

Bishop Jones was pastor of the Holy Temple COGIC in Philadelphia and jurisdictional bishop of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Jurisdiction.

The question of executive authority and succession for COGIC was finally resolved.

Bishop Patterson pastored the Pentecostal Temple Institutional COGIC in Memphis, TN, and was the presiding prelate of the Tennessee Headquarters Jurisdiction.

Bishop Ford pastored the St. Paul COGIC in Chicago, IL and was the presiding prelate of the Historic Illinois First Jurisdiction.

Bishop Chandler David Owens was groomed for leadership of COGIC and was elected after the death of Bishop Ford in 1995, he became the Presiding Bishop.

Bishop Owens was a noted evangelist of the church and pastored several churches including: Bostick Temple in St. Louis, MO ; Well's Cathedral COGIC in Newark, NJ ; and Greater Community COGIC in Marietta, GA.

The PFNA was originally formed in 1948 and only included white Pentecostal denominations excluding COGIC and other non-white churches.

At this meeting, held in Memphis, headquarters for COGIC, the PCCNA was formed as an inclusive organization including all the major Pentecostal groups in North America regardless of race.

COGIC teaches that Man was created perfect and sinless in the image of God as a tripartite being having a body, soul, and spirit.

Unique to COGIC was the creation of the Sunday School Field Representative.

Mother Coffey was a child convert to COGIC under the preaching of Bishop Mason.

Mother Coffey was also most influential in organizing many of the auxiliaries, bands, and units that exist within the COGIC Women's Department today.

That spread of COGIC was due largely to its evangelistic efforts of its evangelists through crusades and revivals.

She soon became a favored singer-pianist of the founder, Bishop Charles Mason and was well utilized in the COGIC circles.

In 1997, Twinkie was featured on the COGIC International Choir's LEANING ON JESUS album on the hit duet with Richard " Mr Clean " White's " Accept What God Allows " and in 1996, she produced the album TWINKIE CLARK TERRELL PRESENTS THE FAMU GOSPEL CHOIR which was a staple on the Gospel charts well into 1997.

and Alpha Stewart held the family together under the doctrines of the Church of God in Christ ( COGIC ) and encouraged musical expression in the household.

Many white ministers where licenced and ordained under COGIC through what many considered a " gentleman's agreement.

Other ministries brought about under his leadership include the COGIC Bookstore and the COGIC Publishing House.

His untimely death in March 2007 left a great void in the church, but COGIC has continued to move forward and prosper under the capable and visionary leadership of its current leader, Bishop Charles E. Blake.

Missions work in COGIC originally began under Elder Searcy in 1925.

COGIC became a staple of gospel music under the guidance and unparalled leadership of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark.

Patterson Sr., the five major departments of COGIC were united under an umbrella convention known as UNAC-5 ( United National Auxiliary Conference ).

A progressive and visionary leader, Bishop Blake is leading COGIC to become a greater global ministry primarily in Africa and Latin America while at the same time investing in the inner city where many COGIC congregations are located.