Church plans ‘Youth Explosion’

Published 10:58 pm Friday, July 16, 2010

Greater Union Grove Church of God in Christ of Moultrie, will host the 64th State Holy Convocation and Youth Explosion Monday, July 19 through Sunday, July 25.

The Holy Convocation brings together all churches that are a part of the Historic First Jurisdiction of Southern Georgia of Church of God in Christ (COGIC).

During the convocation, the jurisdictional prelate, Bishop Larry L. Shaw, and the jurisdictional supervisor, Mother Lucy D. Sanders, will be honored for their strong leadership and devotion to the jurisdiction.

The Youth Explosion, which occurs concurrently with convocation, focuses on the spiritual enrichment of the youth.

Shaw is a native of Virginia Beach, Va. After ending his military career, he settled in Hinesville, Ga. He founded Full Gospel Tabernacle COGIC, which is currently one of the largest worship facilities in Hinesville. He served in numerous offices within the Church of God in Christ on a local and state level before being elevated to the national stage.

In 1996, he was appointed to the Office of Bishop. Shaw is one among only 200 bishops serving worldwide within the Church of God in Christ. In 2002, his contemporaries voted overwhelmingly for him to become the jurisdictional prelate of the Historic First Jurisdiction of Southern Georgia. The jurisdiction consists of several churches in Southern Georgia. He also currently serves as the secretary of the National Board of Bishops of the Church of God in Christ.

Sanders was born in Mississippi, raised in Arkansas, and later made Chicago her home for 31 years. In 1997, she relocated to Savannah, Ga., where she currently resides. Before arriving in Georgia, she had already served as national hospitality president for the Young People Willing Worker (YPWW) Department of COGIC, in addition to district missionary, jurisdictional supervisor, and numerous other offices on a local and state level.

In 2006, she became supervisor of the Women’s Ministry for the Historic First Jurisdiction of Southern Georgia. She continues her life-long membership in the Church of God in Christ as a member of Prayer Temple COGIC in Savannah, under the leadership of Elder Alvin Williams.

Holy Convocation services will take place Monday, July 19, through Friday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m., at Willie B. Withers Civic Auditorium at the Colquitt County High School.

Speakers for the week will include Supt. Arthur Robinson of Tifton, Ga.; Bishop Q.S. Caldwell of Lenox, Ga.; Bishop Wade McCrae of Valdosta, Ga.; Mother Lucy Sanders of Savannah, Ga.; and Lady Angelic Dewitt Simmons of Atlanta, Ga.

Thursday is designated as Women’s Day and workshops for the attendees will be held at Greater Union Grove COGIC, beginning at 9 a.m., and will continue throughout the afternoon. However, Thursday evening worship will begin at 7:30 p.m., at the auditorium.

Sunday, July 25, is the “Official Day” of the Convocation, with services beginning at 4 p.m., and Bishop Shaw will deliver the “Official’s Day” message.

The goal of the Youth Explosion is to foster spiritual growth in the youth through workshops and recreational activities. The Youth Explosion activities will take place primarily at Stringfellow Elementary School, however, other venues throughout Moultrie will be utilized to accommodate the number of youth involved. Activities will begin on Tuesday, July 20, and continue through Friday, July 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Elder A.D. Shaw, pastor of Full Gospel Tabernacle COGIC in Hinesville, Ga., is chairman of the Youth Explosion.  

Shaw is not only jurisdictional prelate, but he is also pastor of Greater Union Grove Church of God in Christ of Moultrie and Strickland Temple Church of God in Christ of Tifton, Ga. Greater Union Grove COGIC was designated as the regional headquarters for the Historic First Jurisdiction of Southern Georgia Churches of God in Christ during April 2009. Holy Convocation 2009 was Greater Union Grove’s first major jurisdictional event as attendance and participation records were set.

The Church of God in Christ is the largest Pentecostal denomination, having an international membership of more than six million members. Charles H. Mason founded the organization in 1907. National headquarters are located in Memphis, Tenn. and the presiding bishop is the honorable Charles E. Blake Sr.

These events are free and the public is encouraged to attend. For additional information, please contact Public Relations at 229-456-1396 or 229-859-2084.