EPISTLE FROM THE PRESIDING BISHOP YOUR SERVANT IN CHRIST “We are called to minister and witness to a deeply distressed and troubled world.”
To Bishop Darrell L. Hines and the attendees of the C.H. Mason Heritage Symposium & Celebration: As we celebrate the 150th birthday of our founding father, Bishop C.H. Mason, what a glorious and momentous occasion it is to experience the fulfillment of a vision God placed in my heart for the people of the Lord. As we gather for a time of spiritual renewal, we are witnesses that the Church of God in Christ has been strategically positioned to strengthen and empower individuals to be leaders in their communities who will embrace change and who are called to “minister and witness to a deeply distressed and troubled world.” The Lord has blessed the Church Of God In Christ to experience a great heritage through our founder, Bishop Mason. Acts 26:18 declares, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” More than ever, we must continue to focus on our commitment to advance the Kingdom. My prayer is that each of you will be inspired to fulfill your Godgiven mandate and that you see yourselves as agents of change for the building of His Kingdom. May this C.H. Mason Heritage Symposium and the 150th celebration of our founding father overflow with a fresh anointing that will inspire and thrust leaders and communities towards the cause of Christ. Chairman Hines, department leaders, delegates, and all who faithfully serve as pillars of excellence, I pray God’s choice blessings of revival and inspiration upon each of you during this great time of gathering.
Your Servant in Christ,
Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. The Seventh in Succession Presiding Bishop Church Of God In Christ, Inc.
September 8th, 2014 Dear Delegates, I am delighted to have this opportunity to serve as the Chairman of this year’s, C.H. Mason Heritage Symposium and the 150th Birthday Celebration of our founder, Charles H. Mason. Words cannot express my humility to receive such honored privilege. I esteem and give honor to Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., the Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ. Bishop Blake is a leader of perpetual vision, and compassion, and he is a leader in whom I have a great deal of admiration and respect. As we celebrate this monumental occasion I know that the memory of it shall be celebrated for generations to come. From the opening prayer and commencement on Monday to our conclusion on Wednesday, this symposium and celebration will most certainly serve as a memoir in the annals of faith of the Church of God in Christ. I therefore entreat you to embrace each moment and to also be empowered to fulfill that which God has placed on your hearts to do. In closing I would like to acknowledge Superintendent George Wood of the Assemblies of God. Thank you for sharing with us. Indeed we are family. Thank you to the chairman of each segment of our symposium - to our event planner, and every member of the staff that worked so diligently to ensure the success of this event - we could not have brought this culmination of ministry into fruition without your support! We appreciate the labor of love that you have shown. May God bless each and every person in attendance to make history with us. May you remain committed to advancing God's kingdom within the Church of God in Christ, and throughout the world! In His service,
Darrell L. Hines Bishop Darrell L. Hines