Bishop Ted G. Thomas, Sr.

to the General Board of the
Church Of God In Christ, Inc.

The Celebration will be held at

Chesapeake Conference Center
900 Greenbrier Cir, Chesapeake, VA

Hotel accommodations have been made at:

Marriott Chesapeake Norfolk

Norfolk Waterside Marriott

Dear Saints

This correspondence is being sent at the request of our Prelate, Bishop Ted G. Thomas, Sr., General Board Member of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc.

It is with great regret that I inform you of the passing of Pastor Joseph Johnson, Pastor of Holy Light Church Of God In Christ in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  The Johnson Family and Holy Light are in need of our fervent prayers.  The service for Pastor Johnson will be as follows:

Home Going Celebration

Thursday, January 3, 2013, 11:00 a.m.
St. Stephen's Church Of God In Christ
189 South Birdneck Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451

Bishop Thomas is requesting that all Pastors and Elders who will be attending the celebration, please wear your "Class A" vestments.  All Missionaries who will be attending please wear your black habits.

Yours for the Master's Use,

Elder Marc A. Thomas, Sr.
Jurisdictional Secretary & Chief Adjutant
Historic First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Virginia
Church Of God In Christ

Congratulations Bishop Ted Thomas!

Click HERE for Election Results.  Click HERE to visit the Church Of God In Christ.

Ted G. Thomas, Sr. was appointed seventh in succession as prelate of the Historic First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Virginia of the Church Of God In Christ in 1984 and has served in this position for more than 27 years. Under his leadership, the Jurisdiction has enjoyed tremendous growth only a few short years.

Most recently, in 2009 Bishop Ted Thomas was appointed as an Associate Justice of the National Judiciary Board and Assistant Dean of the Presiding Bishop’s Episcopal Leadership Academy. Bishop Ted Thomas has also served as Commissioner of Operations for the International Holy Convocation, member of the National Publishing Board and member of the Committee to renovate the Lelia Mason Home.

Always a strong supporter of his leader, in an unprecedented and historic show of support for the non-profit organization Save Africa’s Children, Bishop Thomas presented Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake with $50,000 during his own 25^th Silver Anniversary Celebration in 2009.

Bishop Ted Thomas has been anointed by God for such a time as this. He brings an experienced voice and real solutions to the challenges facing the Church Of God In Christ today. He has a record of producing lasting results in his community, his jurisdiction and our national Church – a testament to his capable leadership. More importantly, Bishop Ted Thomas has a record of accountability and is a strong and vocal supporter of our Presiding Bishop. Coupled with his love for our Church and its doctrine, Bishop Ted Thomas has the vision to see the Church Of God In Christ return to its glory as the leader of the Pentecostal Movement.

It’s time to usher our Church into her glorious future. It's time to pass the mantle to Bishop Ted G. Thomas, Sr. for the General Board.

Click the image for more information

Join us August 19-26, 2012 as the Historic First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Virginia celebrates its 98th Holy Convocation at New Community Temple Church Of God In Christ located at 3615 Tyre Neck Road, Portsmouth, VA 23703.  Click HERE for directions. 

Below are highlights of the upcoming celebration!

Hotel Accommodations | Top:

Hampton Inn Hotel
3235 Western Branch Boulevard
Chesapeake, VA 23321
(757) 484-5800
Code: 0002733201

Shut-In | Top:

The opening 40 hour period of Fasting and Praying will begin Sunday, August 19th at 10 pm.  Prayer Warriors will be praying continuously at New Community Temple until Tuesday, August 21st at 3 pm.  All are welcomed to participate!

Day Sessions | Top:

Services are held at New Community Temple daily at 12 pm and will begin on Tuesday, August 21st.

Evening Speakers | Top:

Evening Services are held at New Community Temple daily at 7 pm.

Official Day | Top:

Sunday, August 26, 2012 at 11:00 am

Bishop Ted G. Thomas, Sr
Chief Celebrant and Jurisdictional Bishop

The Official Day services will be at New Community Temple beginning at 11:00 AM.  Join us as we celebrate our leader!

Registration Information| Top:

Pre-registration will be available on-site at New Community Temple COGIC during the 2012 AIM Convention.  Please see Min. Eugene McCown or contact him at webmaster@cogicva1.org or 703-829-6746 for more information.  Click HERE to download the Registration Sheet.

Registration Packages

II Kings 2:6,8-11, 13-14

For those of you who keep up with this great jurisdiction, you know the theme of our bishop’s General Board campaign is, “It’s Time to Pass the Mantle.” When I was asked to write an article to recap the installation of one of our newest pastors, Pastor Calvin Harris,  this theme came to my mind.

The saints of First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Virginia gathered that warm afternoon of June 9 to witness and celebrate another historical event – the installation of the new pastor of Reconciliation Church Of God In Christ. For me the day began with some mixed emotions – but the Lord would be glorified!

Some of you may not know, but I was close friends with Pastor Geno Thomas, the founder and former pastor of Reconciliation. He was not only a dear friend, but also a mentor. Our churches have fellowshipped for several years and we’re really just like family. The Lord called Pastor Thomas home last Christmas and to this day I miss him dearly. For that reason I fought back a few tears this particular Saturday afternoon. But the Lord quickly reminded me of Elijah and Elisha.

For the several years that I knew Pastor Thomas, he had several devoted and loyal men who supported his ministry – among these was Elder Calvin Harris. Elder Harris was not only faithful, but loyal, a supporter, a worker and a son of my friend.  In fact, whenever you saw Pastor Thomas, you knew Elder Calvin Harris was not too far behind. He truly followed a great leader, just as Elisha did.

Do you recall the story?  Elijah was growing older and Elisha decided he would serve this great prophet. There came a day when Elijah told Elisha to go back home (remember Elijah had called Elisha out of the fields) but Elisha refused. He told Elijah that he was going to continue to serve him. Eventually Elijah asked Elisha what he wanted of him. Elisha’s response was that he wanted a double portion of his leader’s anointing. Because of his faithfulness, when the Lord summoned Elijah through the whirlwind, Elisha was right there to catch the mantle. Soon he found himself doing works just as great – and even greater – than his mentor.

After the anointed Virginia First Jurisdictional Choir belted out another soul stirring song of praise, our beloved leader, Bishop Ted Thomas, preached a dynamic Word from the Lord. On this day, Bishop Thomas was in one of his preaching “zones” as he mixed in a little humor with the gospel truth. He reminded Pastor Harris of his role and assignment as the pastor. “Brother Harris, you have to preach in season and out of season. You have to cry loud and spare not.  You are commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ to feed His lambs and His sheep!” 

Bishop Thomas then turned to the Reconciliation COGIC family. “Church, you are to take care of and support your pastor. You are to obey him, pray for him and be faithful.”

As I watched, I could not help but thank and praise God for witnessing the passing of a mantle to a godly man who truly deserved it.  Pastor Harris had followed Pastor Thomas just as Elisha had followed Elijah. Now, it was his time to pick up the mantle and lead the Reconciliation Church family to greater works and greater accomplishments. I am godly proud of my friend who built a great work. I am proud of my friend who led and trained another great man of God.  I look forward to seeing the great things God will accomplish through this new great pastor – Pastor Calvin Harris. Yes, the mantle has been passed!

I bless you in the name of the Lord.

Born to Deacon William and Mother Laura White, Elder Timothy White grew up in the Church Of God in Christ since birth. As a young man, Elder White received the Lord in his heart and was called to the ministry in 1991.

Elder White served under Pastor James Gatlin, Sr., Pastor Charlie Newby and Pastor Samuel Hassell and was actively involved in ministry throughout the years.

In the Eastern District of the Historic First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Virginia, he served in different areas: Eastern District Youth Group Member, District Sunday School Superintendent, District Finance Committee, Prayer Warrior and Assistant Superintendent to Superintendent William H. Perry.

During the 80^th Holy Convocation, Bishop Ted G. Thomas, Sr. appointed Elder Timothy D. White, Sr. as pastor of the Calvary Church of God in Christ. Under the leadership of Bishop Thomas, Elder White serves as Chairman of Elders’ Council and Trustee Board.

Pastor Timothy D. White, Sr. loves God, the Lord’s people and respects leadership. He is a family man. Pastor Timothy White is married to “His Jewel” Lady Doreatha Marie White. They have four dear children.

Calvary COGIC is a “Life Changing Ministry” where the Holy Ghost moves!

Church Outreach: Street Witnessing, Street Preaching, Clothes Closet and Holiday Food Baskets

• Sunday School @ 9:30 AM  
• Sunday Worship Service @ 11:00 AM 
• Sunday Y.P.W.W. @ 6:00 PM 
• Sunday Evening Worship @ 7:00 PM    
• Wednesday Night Prayer @ 7:30 PM   
• Friday Night Pastoral Teaching @7:30 PM