Bishop C. H. Mason and the Roots of the Church of God in Christ
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC), the first major denomination to spring from the fires of the Azusa Street revival, profoundly affected the history of the church. Its tremendous influence can be traced to the dynamic spiritual life of its founder, Charles Harrison Mason.
The son of a slave and a leader in the holiness movement of his day, Mason traveled to Azusa Street in 1907 where he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. His vibrant spiritual life enabled him to lead a fledgling movement from its infancy to a powerful, prophetic community over the next fifty years. Today, the COGIC church has 6.5 million members and 12,000 congregations; it can be found in every U.S. state and in 87 countries around the globe.
The COGIC Church holds in tension the dynamics of holiness, spiritual encounter and prophetic Christian social consciousness. Facing the challenges of our generation, the COGIC Church desires to maintain the legacy of its founder as it prepares for another century of work and witness.
'Every pastor in our denomination and beyond should have a worn and well-read copy of this book.' – Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr.
'This is must reading for students of church history regardless of denomination.' –Dr. H. Vinson, Synan, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Divinity, Regent University
'Finally, a documentary written by a COGIC historian and theologian. His perspective is insightful, informative and refreshing.' –Dr. William C. Turner, Ph.D., Professor of Theology, Duke University Divinity School
'Our younger generations need to know the rich legacy bequeathed to them by the pioneers of the Church of God in Christ.' –Bishop Chandler D. Owens
'Bishop Clemmons reminds us that our denomination was forged in the fires of a Pentecostal revival that continues to impact our society today.' –Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson
'This valuable book should be in the hands of every member of the Church of God in Christ.' –Bishop C. L. Anderson
'God gave Bishop C. H. Mason an anointing to preach powerfully, to heal the sick, and to sing out in spontaneous worship. May we covet the same anointing that transformed thousands in his day.' –Bishop J. Neaul Haynes
'We are the descendants of a mighty move of God that began at Azusa Street. This book will help us to pass on an equally dynamic spiritual life to our successors, taking the Church of God in Christ into the next century.' –Bishop P. A. Brooks
'Church leaders would do well to emulate the dynamic spiritual life of our founder; Bishop C. H. Mason.' –Bishop O. T. Jones, Jr.
'Bishop C. H. Mason knew that a dynamic encounter with God propelled him into effective ministry. May we also pursue God wholeheartedly, believing Him to empower us for service.' –Bishop Roy L. H. Winbush
'May God grant us a return to Azusa Street where barriers of color, race, sex, and social status were demolished by the power of the Holy Spirit and may the Church of God in Christ lead the way.' –Bishop Samuel L. Green, Jr.
'Allow Bishop Mason's vision to grip you, to challenge you and to change you.' -Raymond C. Pierce, J.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
