Bishop Charles E. Blake Biography - Church Of God In Christ

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INAUGURATION, WHITE HOUSE APPOINTMENT & HISTORIC MOVE IN ONLY 9 DAYS
COGIC Presiding Bishop at forefront of momentous events for denomination
(April 22, 2009 – Memphis, TENN) The Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) has experienced
significant changes that will affect the entire denomination and its leadership in the last nine days: an
announcement from the White House, the official installation of its 7 th Chief Apostle and the vote by the
General Assembly to move the Holy Convocation from Memphis after nearly 102 years.
On April 6 th in Washington, D.C., President Barack Obama tapped Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake to
serve on his 25‐person White House Advisory Council on Faith‐Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
On Monday, April 13 th in Memphis, TN, the denomination officially installed Blake at Temple of
Deliverance during a sacred traditional ceremony with thousands of fellow COGIC denomination leaders,
members and supporters present. One day later on April 14 th , the General Assembly of the Church
voted to move the Holy Convocation in 2010 to an undisclosed location due to cost issues and proximity
challenges for its members. And on Wednesday, April 15 th , the Church concluded April Call Meeting
with an Inaugural Banquet in honor of Blake that included star‐studded sponsors and guests like Denzel
Washington and Angela Bassett, who are both members of West Angeles, where Bishop Blake is senior
pastor in Los Angles, California.
“We have to be ready to meet the demands of this changing world,” said Blake of the recent events. “It
is imperative for us to advocate for the saints of the denomination during these tough economic times.
We must also have an opportunity to voice our concerns about important social issues that test our
faith, and we must hold true to traditions that remind us of our sacred covenant with God.”
Blake will serve for one year on the White House Advisory Council and will serve for four years as
Presiding Bishop of COGIC before the next quadrennial election.
About Bishop Charles E. Blake
Bishop Charles E. Blake serves as the Seventh Presiding Bishop of the 6.5 million ‐member Church Of God In Christ.
He is the pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ with a membership of over 24,000. West Angles has been
recognized as one of the fastest growing churches in the nation, with extensive ministry and outreach services
including television and radio broadcasts. West Angeles is deeply involved in providing not only for the spiritual life
of its people, but also it provides more than 80 programs for the psychological, social, and economic enhancement
of the community. As founder and CEO of Save Africa's Children, Bishop Blake oversees the support of more than
200,000 children, in 400 orphan care programs, throughout more than 23 nations on the continent of Africa. Blake
was a speaker at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado during the first ever Inter‐Faith
Gathering, where he endorsed President Obama and confirmed his status as a pro‐life democrat.
About the Church Of God In Christ
The Church Of God In Christ is the fourth‐largest Protestant religious denomination in the United States with an
estimated membership of more than 6.5 million members. COGIC headquarters are located at Mason Temple in
Memphis, Tennessee.
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