cogic heroes

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Church of God in Christ harles Harrison Mason was born September 8. 1866 on the Pryor Farm in Arkansas, near Memphis. His ex-slave parents were Jerry and Elisa Mason. From his mother he learned to pray. Her prayer was that God would get Charles’ life while he was young. One of Elisa Mason’s prayer partners was Sister Paxton who had a daughter Alice. Alice became Charles Mason’s first wife. Having a wife was one of Elder Mason’s prayer request. He asked of the Lord that if he would allow him to get an educaon, give him a home paid for. a wife to grace the home. He would be willing to give his life to God. When he answered the call to the ministry, he encountered difficules with his wife Alice. She did not want him to preach. The conflict led to separaon, for Brother Mason was determined to obey God. Alice Mason remarried; but Brother Mason walked alone for twelve years unl aſter her death. His second wife was Miss Lelia Washington, seven children were born to this union. The fulfillment of another of Elder Mason’s desires for an educaon was started at Arkansas Bapst College. Aſter a three month stay however, the Lord spoke to Elder Mason and told him “What I want to teach you, you will not learn from these books.” Elder Mason reported, “I folded up my books and departed from Arkansas Bapst to find the God of the Bible. I think I found him.” His early ministry was in Pine Bluff in Conway, Arkansas. Later he ministered in Mississippi. His ministry in Mississippi came about through peculiar circumstances. In 1896 Margaret Ann Lee, a student at Natchez College, launched a fund-raising effort for funds for a dormitory replacement. The dormitory had been destroyed in a fire. She asked permission of Rev. H.L. Young, pastor of Asia Bapst Church in Lexington, Mississippi to invite Elder C.P. Jones for 3 weeks revival. Permission was granted and Elder Jones conducted a highly successful revival. Many were sancfied. Elder Jones’ posion on sancficaon was resented by some of the leaders of Asia Bapst Church. Because of this rejecon, the Pastor H. L Yuung was forced to give up the church. Also Elder Jones was asked to return to Lexington to modify his teaching on sancficaon Elder Jones was busy and could not return. He asked Elder Mason to go in his place. In 1897 Elder Mason went to Lexington, but found the doors of Asia Bapst Church closed to him. He began to preach at the South entrance of the County Courthouse. He also preached at John Lee’s home. The home became too crowded, and a Caucasian, Mr. John Stewart Watson, Sr., granted permission for Elder Mason to have services in an abandoned Gin House. Elder W. S. Pleasant and C. P. Jones assisted Elder Mason in the Gin House. There were miraculous services, many were converted. The need to organize came. There were fiſty or sixty who stood as charter members of the first church. Elder C. H. Mason was the choice as leader. The first bapsmal service was held on the first Sunday in March 1897. Among those bapzed in this first bapsm were Addie Carruthers and Lula College Washington. There were many hardships in the infancy of the church. In one of the services five pistol shots were directed to the Gin House, and there were two shot guns also used. The Saints were sprayed with bullets. but none of them were seriously hurt. They connued to rejoice. and praise God. In 1906, Elder J. Seymour, a Black preacher from Texas was ministering in Los Angeles. California, when God sent a mighty outpouring of the Holy Ghost. The “”Revival” lasted for three years. Many came from different parts of the world to parcipate in this great church event. Sister Lula Cox urged C. H. Mason to go to witness the wonderful experience. In March 1907, Elder Mason went to Los Angeles. His traveling companions were Elders D. J. Young and J. A. Jeters. CHARLES H. MASON [1891 -1961] C

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COGIC Charles H. Mason, William Roberts, Mack E. Jonas, Lillian B Coffey, Van Goodlow, Utah Smith, Cora Agnes Berry, Ozro Thorston Jones, Jessie Smith & Mattie Byars

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Page 1: Cogic Heroes

Church of God in Christ harles Harrison Mason was born September 8. 1866 on the Pryor Farm in Arkansas, near Memphis. His ex-slave parents were Jerry and Elisa Mason. From his mother he learned to pray. Her prayer was that God would get Charles’ life while he was young. One of Elisa Mason’s prayer partners was Sister Paxton who had a daughter Alice. Alice became Charles Mason’s first wife. Having a wife was one of Elder Mason’s prayer request. He asked of the Lord that if he would allow him to get an education, give him a home paid for. a wife to grace the home. He would be willing to give his life to God. When he answered the call to the ministry, he encountered difficulties with his wife Alice. She did not want him to preach. The conflict led to separation, for Brother Mason was determined to obey God. Alice Mason remarried; but Brother Mason walked alone for twelve years until after her death. His second wife was Miss Lelia Washington, seven children were born to this union. The fulfillment of another of Elder Mason’s desires for an education was started at Arkansas Baptist College. After a three month stay however, the Lord spoke to Elder Mason and told him “What I want to teach you, you will not learn from these books.” Elder Mason reported, “I folded up my books and departed from Arkansas Baptist to find the God of the Bible. I think I found him.” His early ministry was in Pine Bluff in Conway, Arkansas. Later he ministered in Mississippi. His ministry in Mississippi came about through peculiar circumstances. In 1896 Margaret Ann Lee, a student at Natchez College, launched a fund-raising effort for funds for a dormitory replacement. The dormitory had been destroyed in a fire. She asked permission of Rev. H.L. Young, pastor of Asia Baptist Church in Lexington, Mississippi to invite Elder C.P. Jones for 3 weeks revival. Permission was granted and Elder Jones conducted a highly successful revival. Many were sanctified. Elder Jones’ position on sanctification was resented

by some of the leaders of Asia Baptist Church. Because of this rejection, the Pastor H. L Yuung was forced to

give up the church. Also Elder Jones was asked to return to Lexington to modify his teaching on

sanctification Elder Jones was busy and could not return. He asked Elder Mason to go in his place. In 1897 Elder Mason went to Lexington, but found the doors of Asia Baptist Church closed to him. He began to preach at the South entrance of the County Courthouse. He also preached at John Lee’s home. The home became too crowded, and

a Caucasian, Mr. John Stewart Watson, Sr., granted permission for Elder Mason to have

services in an abandoned Gin House. Elder W. S. Pleasant and C. P. Jones assisted Elder Mason

in the Gin House. There were miraculous services, many were converted. The need to organize came.

There were fifty or sixty who stood as charter members of the first church. Elder C. H. Mason was the choice as leader. The first baptismal service was held on the first Sunday in March 1897. Among those baptized in this first baptism were Addie Carruthers and Lula College Washington. There were many hardships in the infancy of the church. In one of the services five pistol shots were directed to the Gin House, and there were two shot guns also used. The Saints were sprayed with bullets. but none of them were seriously hurt. They continued to rejoice. and praise God. In 1906, Elder J. Seymour, a Black preacher from Texas was ministering in Los Angeles. California, when God sent a mighty outpouring of the Holy Ghost. The “”Revival” lasted for three years. Many came from different parts of the world to participate in this great church event. Sister Lula Cox urged C. H. Mason to go to witness the wonderful experience. In March 1907, Elder Mason went to Los Angeles. His traveling companions were Elders D. J. Young and J. A. Jeters.

CHARLES H. MASON [1891 -1961]

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Church of God in Christ The first day of the meeting Elder Mason did not sit with his traveling companions when he went to the meeting. He rejoiced at hearing the word of God. The second night of the meeting he had a vision and made his way to the altar to seek the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. He sought God until he spoke a language he did not understand; however the glory of God was in his soul. This new Pentecostal experience which Elder Mason had received in the West, he began to proclaim upon his return to the South. A division divided his former Church group because Elders C.P. Jones and J.A. Jeter did not receive the New Testament doctrine along with others and did not regard the Holy Ghost experience with speaking in other tongues as authentic. They were not able to come to an Assembly held in Jackson, Mississippi in August 1907 over the new experience. The General Assembly agreed to with draw from Elder C. H. Mason. This action resulted in Elder Mason calling a conference in Memphis, Tennes see of all ministers who believed in receiving the Baptism in the Holy Ghost according to acts 2:1-4. Those attending that meeting were: E.R. Driver, J. Bowe, R. R. Booker, R. E. Hart, W. Welsh, A. A. Blackwell, E. M. Page, R. H. I. Clark, D., J. Young, James Brewer, Daniel Spear man and J.H. Boone. As a new beginning for COGIC, these men organized the first Pentecostal General Assembly of the “Church of God in Christ”, Overseer C.H. Mason was chosen as the General Overseer and Chief Apostle of COGIC. As the Chief Apostle, Elder Mason set aside twenty days, November 25th through December 14th yearly as a meeti ng time for all of his followers to fellowship together and take care

of business pertinent to the progress of the Church. The first National Meeting was held at 392 South Wellington Street, Memphis, Tennessee which was the beginning of the present day Church of God in Christ. As the Church began to grow Bishop Mason met forceful opposition. He was put in jail on many occasions for preach ing the Gospel. In every incident God would deliver him victoriously. God’s deliverance came in strange but powerful manifestations. On one occasion he sent a wind storm in the midst of sweltering heat. On another occasion the jailer and his son both died after failing to heed a warning from Bishop Mason. On still another occasion the prosecutor who had been summoned to try the case of Bishop Mason in court was killed when his train derailed enroute to the city. Despite severe obstacles and constant hardships the Church of God in Christ continued to triumph. When Bishop Mason passed in 1961 the words God had spoken to him in 1897 had become a reality. God had told Bishop Mason if he named the church the “Church of God in Christ” there would never be a building large enough to hold all of the followers he would have. God gave to Bishop Mason the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world. His ministry has touched the lives of millions. He was survived by his widow Mrs. Elsie Washington Mason and six children.

Data furnished courtesy of Mother L. Lee, Margette Capper Walton, Bishop N. Jones.

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Church of God in Christ illiam Roberts was born May 10, 1876 as the fourth child to Mr. and Mrs. Willie Roberts in Okalona, Mississippi. At the age of twenty-three, William was married to Mamie Hill, a girl of fifteen years. One year after his wedding, he and his wife moved to Memphis, Tennessee. There in 1904, W. Roberts was saved. As a church member, he served as deacon and later as assistant pastor. Elder C.H. Mason was the pastor of the flock. While Elder Roberts was serving as assistant pastor, he was invited by a group of women to come to Chicago to establish a ministry of the Church of God in Christ. Those who invited him were Sister Lillian Brooks (later Coffey), a former Memphian, Sister Anna Davis, Sister Mary Duncan (later Davis), Sister Mary Pierce, Sister Olina Leige, and others. The group extending the invitation numbered thirteen. These saints had at times worshipped with an Apostolic church in Chicago, but wanted to have a Church of God in Christ. They met for a prayer ministry at 29th and LaSalle. Elder Roberts accepted the invitation. He took his son, Isaiah with him on the trip. While there, he agreed to serve them as pastor. The following year, 1917, accompanied by his wife and nine children, Elder Roberts moved to Chicago. Prospects were dim in this new field. Opposition against holiness was forceful. In spite of severe difficulties, however, the church prospered. The church was at one time located at 31st and LaSalle, and at 37th and Federal. In 1925, Elder Roberts and the saints acquired two lots at 40th and State, and built a church there. The building accommodated one thousand persons. In addition to being the pastor of this assembly that was the first Church of God in Christ in Illinois, Elder Roberts was the first of the denomination in Illinois to broadcast. He served as overseer of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa, Arkansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin. He was consecrated to the bishopric

by Bishop Mason as one of the first five bishops of the Church of God in Christ.

Outside of the denomination, Bishop Roberts served as treasurer of the Board of Education

of the Council of Negro churches. In 1941, he was among the Negro leaders who went to Washington to settle a dispute on behalf of thirteen million Negroes. Bishop Roberts also demonstrated great concern for his leader, Bishop Mason. This was reflected in Bishop Robert’s sacrifice to obtain Bishop Mason’s release from

prison. Bishop Mason had been imprisoned in his native home in Mississippi circa 1920

for preaching holiness. He was accused of preaching against the U.S. government.

Bishop Roberts and his wife had one hundred dollars as a total savings. They willingly sacrificed

this to pay the court’s fine against Bishop Mason. Not only was Bishop Roberts’ kindness to his leader exemplary, but also his general love and warmth to people. He endeared himself to his parishioners through a ministry of caring and effective teaching. He authored a catechism as the nurture of the saints. Men who gained prominence in the ministry “sat at his feet.” Some were Elders Carey White who joined him in Chicago from Memphis, Bishop O.M. Kelly, Bishop F.G. Green, Bishop E. Lenox, who served as assistant to Bishop Roberts, Bishop L.H. Ford, Bishop Cain Scott and Bishop J.O. Mason. Bishop Roberts’ children were given the following names: Callie, Minnie Pearl, Mamie, Gertrude. Isaiah, Willie, Ruth Naomi, Carrie, John Paul, and Robert. During the Women’s convention under the presidency of Mother Lillian Brooks Coffey, Bishop Roberts, again surrounded by the praying women of the Church, some of whom were in the first group, slipped away home. Data furnished courtesy of Bishop Isaiah Roberts as related to Elder and Sister Carl Mack King.

WILLIAM ROBERTS [1876 1954]

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Stephen Savage
Distance Measurement
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Church of God in ChristMACK E. JONAS [1886 -1973]

ack E. Jonas entered the sphere of history nearly twenty years after the Civil War, October 30, 1884. He was born in Edwardsville, Alabama to Henry and Jane Jonas during the throes of the Industrial Revolution which had impacted England and had set in motion a welter of social forces and patterns of thought in America. He was born at a time when the doctrine of inevitable progress was impacting American society, i.e. that we were moving toward a better society and hence a more humane world. This optimistic view prevailed until the coming of World War I. This optimism impacted young Mack in the form of a search for a better way of life. His early quest led him to East St. Louis, Missouri and on to Los Angeles. However, Jonas’s move to Los Angeles proved to be momentous and resulted in his conversion. While an earthquake jolted San Francisco in 1906 there was a spiritual shaking in Los Angeles, the great Azusa Street Revival initially led by five black washwomen on Bonnie Brae Street. While Jonas drove an advertising wagon for the Pacific Creaming Company on Adams Street in Los Angeles, he heard God speaking and responded accordingly. God saved him on April 20, 1906 and on June 29, 1906 he received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, prior to William J. Seymour, the revered leader of the revival. He is reputed to be one of the first blacks to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit at Azusa. The experience prepared Brother Jonas for a meaningful encounter one year later with our revered founder Bishop Charles H. Mason who was on a spiritual quest which brought him to the Los Angeles revival which lasted three years, night and day. Brother Jonas was present on April 9, 1907 when Bishop Mason, the Founder and Chief Apostle of the Church of God in Christ received the baptism.

From Azusa Street, Brother Jonas felt a leading to return to his native homeland, the South. After

acknowledging his call to the ministry in October of 1906. Brother Jonas held a revival, December,

1907 in Griffin, Georgia at his Father’s house in which his mother and two brothers were saved and the city stirred. Brother Jonas journeyed to Atlanta where he started a mission on Mary Street and left thirty-two members as the fruit of his labor. Impressed by the witness of the Spirit in Bishop Mason, Brother Jonas requested fellowship in the C.O.G.I.C. at Memphis in

1909, and was appointed Overseer of Alabama and Georgia. He introduced the C.O.G.I.C. to

the Ohio Valley in 1917, and served as Overseer of Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia.

His ministry was punctuated by hardship, difficulties and suffering. After encountering severe persecution in

Griffin, Georgia, Bishop Jonas prophesied destruction. In March 1908, a devastating tornado virtually left the city in total ruin, thus confirming Bishop Jonas’s prophecy. During the later years of his ministry, Bishop Jonas was Bishop of the Ohio, Northwest Jurisdiction. His companion of many years, Minnie, stood faithfully by his side until the very end of his life. Indeed, Bishop Jonas’s contribution to our National religious heritage is best seen in his spiritual example and lifestyle. You will find inscribed on Bishop Jonas’s stone an epitaph, his favorite biblical text “If God be for us, who can be against us” Romans 8:31

Data furnished by the widow of Bishop Jonas Minnie and Bishop Robert Chapman. Also from 1972 interview in “Black Origins of the Pentecostal Movement”. Leonard Lovett, in Aspects of Pentecostal Charismatic Origins. (Ed.) V. Synon. Logos 1975

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Church of God in ChristLILLIAN B. COFFEY [1891 - 1964]

other Lillian Coffey, 2nd International Supervisor of Women’s Work of the COGIC was born March 29, 1891 in Memphis, Tennessee to Mr. and Mrs. Brooks. Her siblings were Elise (later Mrs. Fullilove) and brother Morry. Lillian was taken to the Sunday School of the COGIC at 392 South Wellington in Memphis. As a youngster, she lived in the neighborhood of the church. She was a part of the group of saints who chose Elder Mason as Chief Apostle when he was disfellowshipped by Elder C.P. Jones over the issue of tongue speaking. She was tutored by Bishop Mason and others of the pioneer saints. Sister Brooks was married to a young minister, Samuel Coffey. The Coffeys became the parents of Elise La Vergne, Dolores and Samuel, Jr.; Samuel, Jr. passed away at the age of 18 months. Sister Coffey continued her ministry after her marriage and was a part of the charter membership of the Chicago Church. She and the late Mother Mary Davis organized themselves and sent for the late Bishop William Roberts to serve as their pastor. In significant positions in the denomination, she was Financial Secretary in the National Office, Executive Secretary of the Women’s Department, Supervisor of Wisconsin, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio and Southwest Michigan, Assistant National Supervisor under Mother Lizzie Roberson and finally as International Supervisor of the Women’s Department.

Her laurels are many; the auxiliaries that she organized during her tenure are, among others: Young Women’s

Christian Council, Stewardess Board, Wide-a-Wake Bank, Blood Trailers (later volunteer missions,

Happy Anticipation and Huldah Club). She purchased an elegant home for retired and furloughing missionaries in Detroit, Michigan. The mission field attracted much of her attention and commitment. She raised funds for the building of the Elizabeth White Clinic in Liberia, shared in the purchase of land with Sister Elsie Mason for the Mason School in Haiti, and the purchase

of the St. Juste residents, purchased land for the LB. Coffey School at Petit Goave, Haiti, and

supported missionaries in a myriad of mission endeavors.

Her strong support for Dr. A.C. Mallory and the Saints Industrial and Literary School (later Saints Jr.

College at Lexington, Mississippi), can be credited for muchof the progress realized at these educational institutions. The last women’s convention she attended was at Albany, New York in 1964 with a post-convention trip to the World’s Fair at New York City. She touched the lives of thousands of the Lord’s children for good. Her memory is very vivid today. She ceased from her labor in 1964.

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Church of God in Christ an Goodlow was born February 20, 1892, in Gonzales, Texas. His parents were Harvey and Ida Goodlow. It is doubtful that the residents of Gonzales had any inclination as to the remarkable events that would one day characterize the life of young Goodlow. Despite the fact that his father was a preacher in the Church of God, Van did not feel that the church offered him the power that he needed. So in his early 20’s he left the south for the west coast and said he was “going to get rich.” Goodlow settled in Oakland, California and worked as a longshoreman on the waterfront. He and his brother attained fame, with knives strapped to their sides, as one of the foremost gamblers of North Oakland. The story is told of an evening while Van was drunk in the poolroom; in the midst of this drunken evening, he heard a voice, distinct as a bell, that penetrated the smoke-filled room. He followed that voice across the street to a church meeting. The late Bishop S.M. Crouch was teaching and Van Goodlow said to himself, if God could do it for Preacher Crouch, he could do it for Goodlow. Van Goodlow, after hearing the message could not separate from his past life. His gambling business, which was now in full swing, still had him bound. Directly across the street was the Pentecostal Church, under the leadership of Elder and Mother Emma Cotton. In December of 1921, eight people were saved at the church; among them were Van Goodlow and his wife, Frankie. Those who remember that night, say Van Goodlow walked the floor until 2:00 a.m, crying in a loud voice. “I see the light! I see the light!” A short time later, he received the Holy Ghost while praying for the sick. In 1922, Elder Goodlow was called to the ministry. His first pastorage was in Pittsburgh, California. In 1926, under the leadership of Bishop E.M. Wilson, he was appointed to Bakersfield, California, to pastor the only church in the town,

which was meeting in a tent. Through God’s blessing, he built and paid for the first Church of God in Christ in

Bakersfield. Elder Goodlow, in 1928, seeking to find

his rightful place in God’s ministry, began to evangelize. Six months later, God revealed to him that he was to be a shepherd. In the summer of 1929, he accepted pastorships in Weed and California. After two years of faithful service, he accepted another calling at the Ellis Street Church in San Francisco. During his pastorage, he served as State Treasurer and Assistant

Overseer to the late Bishop S.M. Crouch. As his ministry began to develop, the mark

of leadership became apparent, characterized by his strong will and total dedication to the cause

of Christ. Elder Goodlow was known across the country for his sternness and authoritative principles

of holiness. Although his critics did not always agree with him, they had to respect Elder Goodlow for his courage and boldness. In 1941, the Bishop C.H. Mason appointed Elder Goodlow as overseer of the states of Washington and Oregon; however, he felt he could not effectively serve both states. He resigned as overseer of Oregon and settled in Washington. He established one church, based in Seattle, where he consolidated the missions throughout the city. From this base church was established twenty-two churches and missions. In 1943, Frankie Goodlow passed away. Later, Bishop Goodlow married Missionary N. Bailey, who was by his side until his death on February 4, 1967. Bishop Van Goodlow is remembered as a pioneer whose sternness and devotion was accented by his scriptural wisdom and ability to inspire without words. His well-known greeting will always be a source of comfort and assurance -”My little dears”.

VAN GOODLOW [1892 - 1967]

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Church of God in Christ he name Elder Utah Smith was a household word in the Church of God in Christ for decades. The colorful evangelist was attractive for his preaching, healing ministry, guitar playing and unique mannerisms. His signature song was, “Two Wings,” and his oft-heard expression was, ”Good God.” The Evangelist was born in Shevreport. Louisiana in 1906. He was married to Miss Essie B. Smith. Their seven children were named Utah Jr., Sara, Lula B., Deborah, Leila, Abraham and Issac. He was saved in his hometown at the time he was an employee of Allen Manufacturing Company. After his conversion experience the Lord taught Utah to read (his formal education was limited to the third grade). Early in his saved life he became a traveling evangelist. His message and ministry raised the ire of some so much that they shot at him at different times as he rode along in his car. In Memphis, the churches headquarters, Elder Smith ministered on the site of the Wellington Temple when on that site was the tent house, circa 1925. Many delegates to the national convocation immensely enjoyed his all night services in Mason Temple. It is said that possibly thousands were healed as Elder Smith ministered in the midnight hours.

At one of these services a friend, Sister Terral, recalls that a woman was brought from a hospital on a

stretcher in a very low condition. After Elder Smith prayed for her she arose and walked. In New

Orleans he conducted tent revivals at 30th and Broad Streets. It is said that these meetings drew larger crowds than any of Elder Smith’s contemporary evangelists. Whites and Blacks including high ranking civil leaders came to hear him. His ministry led him to many parts of America including the White House where he played for the President of the United States. Over a span of years he

experienced phenomenal success. The later years brought a slower pace for

Elder Smith as blindness overtook him before his death. It is related that he fell down a flight of

stairs and never fully recovered. He died in 1965. As a fitting tribute his son Abraham had floral

pieces arranged in the shape of a guitar and two wings. No one played or sang, “Two Wings” quite like Elder Utah Smith.

“Good God”

UTAH SMITH [1906 -1965)

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Church of God in Christ he one force that possessed the mind and inimitable spirit of Cora Agnes Berry was the passion she had for the training of Christian women. A passion which was often misinterpreted and misunderstood, nevertheless one which characterized the life of Cora Berry to the end of her life. She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee July 30, 1903 to the Meguoo family. Cora received her early training in the public school system of her native city. She later attended Saints Memorial Junior College and attained a good academic foundation for later work at Los Angeles City College and Los Angeles State College where she graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. At the age of 21, Cora became attracted to her spouse, Henry and to that union was born one daughter, Anita Jean. A decision was made by the family to move to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the mid-twenties. Cora experienced conversion and united with Beulah Baptist Church, which was the beginning of a genuine spiritual quest. Her questing mind and restless spirit led her to her initial encounter with early holiness - pentecostalism serving under the ministry of Elder James Wilson. As a young woman dedicated to God, Sister Cora found favor among the people of God. Elder Wilson hastened to appoint Cora to the position of State Y.P.W.W. Field-Worker, a task which demanded a great deal of time. This experience served to broaden her experiences and contacts bringing her face to face with such personalities as the late Bishop O.T. Jones, Sr. and our revered founder Bishop C.H. Mason and Mother Lillian Brooks Coffee. Her ministry of outreach involved her in various tent revivals, one of which resulted in the founding of two churches in western Pennsylvania, both which were pastored by Elder P.L. Lockett and Elder Leonard Jones.

In 1951, Cora and family moved to Los Angeles, a decision which proved momentous in that it brought

her to 33rd and Compton, Emmanuel Church under the ministry of the late Bishop S.M. Crouch.

Simultaneously, the National Supervisor, Lillian B. Coffee’s vision of the Women’s Department was expanding. National Supervisor Coffee proposed the idea of a leadership conference within the Women’s Convention. Cora Berry was designated as a team member on a special committee for the formulation and implementation of this idea. For some twenty five years, Cora provided significant

input and creative leadership within the Women’s Department of the National Church.

This was evident in Berry’s close association to the late National Supervisor Anne L. Bailey

and her position as treasurer of the Women’s Convention. Not only did Cora Berry serve as a public

school teacher in Los Angeles but Dean of the Emmanuel Bible Institute of her local church. Her involvement was across the board in such endeavors as District Missionary Assistant State Supervisor of Southern California Jurisdiction #1 Vice President of the National Board of Education, and Board Member of the C.H. Mason Theological Seminary, Atlanta. In December 1973, Saints Junior College conferred the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree upon Cora Berry. She would seldom if ever say no to a task, but performed with an enthusiasm cleaved from her favorite Scripture verse, Psalms 11 8:24, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Closely attuned to God’s will, Cora Berry was “one possessed by a dream” who had a passion for education with spirituality. Data furnished by Dr. Clemmie Dorsey and corroborated by sources too innumerable to mention. Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3

CORA AGNES BERRY [1903 - 1976]

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Church of God in Christ here was a man sent from God whose name was Ozro Thurston Jones. He was born March 26. 1891 in Ft. Smith. Arkansas. It has been said of him that seldom has God given so much to so many through one individual. With Horatio Alger qualities, young Ozro emerged as the valedictorian of his high school, after gaining a certain amount of notoriety and distinction among peers as a Latin scholar. During a spiritual awakening under the ministry of the renowned Elder Juste Bowe in 1912, the youthful Ozro gave his life to Jesus Christ in his native town. During his momentous conversion experience he is said to have heard a voice saying “go and evangelize the world.” During this great spiritual awakening, a brother, Arthur and a sister, Elsie Jones Grier formed a powerful evangelistic team. Not only did Brother Jones matriculate in college but eventually met the charming Neanza Williams of St. Louis, Missouri whom he married in 1921. The young Elder Jones evangelized and established some eighteen congregations in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas. In 1914, Bishop C.H. Mason appointed Elder Jones to head the National Youth Department, thus becoming one of its first leaders. In 1916, Elder Jones pioneered the authorship of Y.P.W.W. literature which achieved notoriety as one of the largest Pentecostal publications in the nation, a task he continued until 1962. Under Elder Jones’s aggressive leadership, the Youth Congress came to birth in 1928, later achieving prominence as C.O.G.I.C’s largest convention, not only beckoning youth but becoming the spawning ground for some nearly thirty various youth ministries. After a brief period of service in 1920 as Assistant Overseer of Oklahoma, Elder Jones was designated to serve a small congregation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It grew to exceed 1,000 members in his lifetime and now exceeds 2,000 under

the leadership of his eldest son. Elder Jones watched his fledgling state grow after his appointment to

the Bishopric of the commonwealth from eleven churches to some two hundred.

Elder Jones reserved the distinction of having been the first of five Bishops consecrated by Bishop Mason in 1933 and was the last of the original five to enter eternal rest. In addition to being a trustee of the original corporation of the C.O.G.I.C., he was appointed by Bishop Mason to a special commission created to assist our Founder in his waning years. With Elder J.E. Bryant he

co-edited one of the first official manuals containing our doctrine and constitution. A

foundational work by the late Bishop E.R. Driver preceded the manual produced by Bishop Jones

and Elder Bryant. After the demise of our revered founder Bishop

Mason in 1961, Bishop Jones was elected and acclaimed Senior Bishop of the C.O.G.I.C., November 1962. His ministry was so vast and far reaching that few areas of the churches life were untouched by him. He was revered by many as being exemplary of the authenticity attributed to his protege, Bishop Mason. He is perhaps best remembered as an outstanding bearer of the Gospel (spoken at the 1958 World Pentecostal Conference in Toronto, Canada), an organizer, an educator of Christian youth, a Christian family (six children, all Christians in C.O.G.I.C.), a sainted character, humble, yet dignified, and a shepherd to the whole flock of God.

Data: Bishop 0. T. Jones Jr.. General Board Member C.0.G.I.C.. Bishop of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 1926 Yearbook of the Church of God in Christ.

OZRO THORSTON JONES[1891-1972]

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Church of God in Christ essie Smith was born during the turn of the century, 1902 in Lou, Texas. We know very little about his parents. His early public school education was received in the rural community where he was born and experienced the kind of average child rearing prevalent among the black populace of his time. In an autobiographical excerpt from a pamphlet by Smith he informs us that in 1924, “He met a young woman named Ethel Evans, courted her, fell hopelessly in love, and got married.” His young bride came to know the Lord first and in vain tried to persuade young Jessie to yield his life to God. Ethel held her husband Jessie before the Lord in constant prayer, believing that God would perform in due time all that He promised because His word is unfailing. God was working in strange and mysterious ways. One evening Ethel and another saintly soul returned home from church in the Spirit, rejoicing and speaking in tongues. When they walked in the house with all the various manifestations of the Spirit at work, Jessie became so frightened, he grabbed their only child and literally ran. But he ran into the outer parameters of prayer and conviction, for Ethel was continuing to lift her husband to God in prayer. One evening after flatly refusing his wife’s invitation to attend a worship service, Smith entered his bedroom, retired early and attempted to cover his head in order to forget the invitation. But there was no place to hide. He could hear the saints singing and it increased in volume, worrying young Smith so, he leaped from bed and rushed to the church and headed straight for the altar. The saints gathered around Smith and prayed, releasing their faith until God saved him and he danced in the Spirit and gave praise to God. He worked in his home church until his decision to expand his borders. After Brother Smith’s call to the ministry he pastored a small church for three years at Bear Creek and two years at Stuart, Texas. Elder Smith moved to Dallas in 1941 and ten years later built a thriving ministry.

Elder Smith’s legacy to our generation was his spirituality. He wrote a small book on prayer and fasting

based on Mark 9:29, entitled The Spiritual Hook privately published circa, 1969. From the New

Jerusalem C.O.G.I.C. on Don Drive in Dallas, God performed many miraculous works through Elder Smith. While Elder Smith was gainfully employed at a huge aircraft plant in Dallas, a friend gave him a book on fasting by Franklin Hall. He was stirred in spirit to fast until God would destroy all the “spirits of the flesh” so God could fully use him. His first fast for six days was kindered by family interference.

The next fast was for ten days, and on the ninth day God proved His power. A woman was

brought in whose body was nearly decimated by cancer. Elder Smith was so weak physically he

could hardly stand, but the power of God permeated the atmosphere. Elder Smith pointed toward this woman

and took authority over her body, and immediately the woman leaped from the cot praising God for healing and later gained up to 200 Ibs. Elder Smith once became sick unto death with cancer, diabetes, heart trouble and an infection on his neck simultaneously. He was led to fast 21 days because God was not through with him. He lost 30 lbs. in a few days, and on the 13th day, Elder Smith’s son took him home. But God said 21 days. He traveled to California with $40.00 in cash in order to obey God. He went to 140 lbs. in the flesh, but emerged a giant in the power of the Spirit. Upon returning to Dallas, Elder Smith resigned from his job and entered the ministry full time. His ministry was punctuated and characterized by many miracles, signs and wonders, for he believed to the end of his days after rearing four children to God’s glory that fasting and prayer was vitally necessary. In the tradition and spirit of our Founder Bishop C. H. Mason, fasting and prayer will loose the bonds of wickedness, undo heavy burdens, break every yoke and let the oppressed go free. Data furnished by Rev. John Ivory Bryant of Los Angeles; corroborated by information from Jessie Smith’s pamphlet The Spiritual Hook; privately published 1969.

JESSIE SMITH [1902 -197-]

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Page 11: Cogic Heroes

Church of God in Christ other Mattie Anna Byars was born August 11, 1882 in Winona, Mississippi. The oldest of ten children born to Hosea and Cherrie Gerron, her early education was in Winona and Grenada at Zion Baptist College. She taught school in Mississippi and married Wesley Davis of which was born to this union one daughter, Anna May, and son Hosea Wesley, Jr. This union left her a young widow and she was later married to Richard D. William. Out of this marriage was born two sons, one of which died in infancy, while Richard D. Jr., who served as Bishop of Maine, died in 1981. In 1921, she married Austin Byars and had one son, Johnnie, through this marriage. During a tent revival conducted by Elder Evans, Mother and her husband were saved in Kansas City, Kansas. They worshipped with the late Bishop J.E. Abernathy until she and Elder Byars worked out a mission at Treemont and Haskell. This church stands today. Elder Byars preceded her death in the late 20’s and their son, Johnnie, passed away during the 30’s in his teens. Mother continued her evangelistic work and moved to Wichita, Kansas during the lean 30’s. Here, Mother Byars and Mother Sybil

Curry did street and door-to-door ministry, eating fish scraps and wearing frayed clothes, but drawing many

souls to Christ. The present tabernacle Church of God in Christ, then called 1217 East Murdock

was established and they asked the Bishop to send a pastor. This was the beginning of Southwestern District, where Elder M. Creno and Mother Byars served as first officials. There are now more than 26 churches in Wichita and the seven districts of Kansas’ Southwestern Jurisdiction are the extension of this work. She was appointed supervisor of Kansas

in 1937. She served the National Women’s Department as Parliamentarian and Treasurer

for the “Walk-Away” project of Saint Industrial School of Lexington, Mississippi. She served

Kansas well until 1964 and passed away on August 2, 1967. Her children and grandchildren yet serve the

Church of God in Christ with distinction. Many of the Elders and Missionaries of the Kansas Southwestern District were saved through the ministry of Mother Byars.

MATTIE BYARS [1882-1967]

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