Written by Elder Eddie B Pruitte, Jr.

Perhaps you’re too young, but are you familiar with the song / lyrics "Put your mind on Jesus, we’re going to have a time? Well if you are, there is a verse that says when the saints get together; we’re going to have a time. ‘Talkin bout’ a good time, we’re going to have a time. Well that pretty much sums up the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Virginia Church Of God In Christ – 97th Annual Holy Convocation.

We began Sunday – August 21st with a 40 hour shut in. In a day when people are committing less time to the essential ingredients, Bishop Thomas and the saints of Virginia #1 gathered for prayer and fasting for forty consecutive hours: Sunday night (11:30 P.M.) until Tuesday afternoon (3:30 P.M.). One of the most memorable events occurred on Monday afternoon while Bishop Thomas was teaching the saints about holy / godly living – we experienced an earthquake! Even as the floor shook and the walls wavered, the saints continued to worship.

Tuesday evening was another historic service. An 87 voice male chorus marched in and worshiped the Lord in song – it was awesome. As I glanced around the choir (I participated as well) I noticed men from all over the state of Virginia singing praises unto God! It was awesome and my heart was made glad. I was made proud even more when Bishop Thomas stood and beamed as he took pictures. When he addressed the congregants, he informed us he was inspired to grant the go ahead for the idea after visiting one of the local churches in the Great Northern District and hearing their male chorus. Praise be to God. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, Dr. Rance Allen delivered an anointed Word from the Lord – "Let’s pull it together."

The following days and nights the Lord blessed us over and over again through Evangelist Joyce Rodgers and Bishop Prince Bryant, Superintendents William Perry and Earnest Whitehead, pastors Clifton Cooley and Friday morning the Women’s Department led the services. We were blessed as our own Jurisdictional Supervisor – Mother Nellie Towns – blessed our souls with some good old fashioned teaching. To demonstrate their support, several supervisors and bishop’s wives from neighboring jurisdictions were in attendance. At the conclusion of the service, Mother Townes laid hands on and anointed several ladies as they received their deaconess and evangelist missionary licenses from the Church. What a blessing to see these holy women being elevated into the ministry. There was more to come.

Sometime during Friday night, hurricane Irene visited. The rain fell and the wind blew. Most of the Tidewater region lost electrical power, but that did not deter the saints of Virginia First. We gathered bright and early Saturday morning for our communion and ordination services. Pastor Stephen Thomas of the South Norfolk District stirred our souls with a message admonishing us to take ministry seriously. The saints worshiped and blessed the Lord fervently – without lights or air conditioning!! We then celebrated the Lord’s Supper and witnessed three brothers being ordained into the office of “Elder”. We left the church looking forward to Official Day.

Sunday Morning found the saints gathering again to praise God without electricity in the building – it seemed to encourage us to worship God even more fervently. The Jurisdictional choir sang under the anointing and Bishop Thomas preached a powerful Word. From Matthew chapter 6 we were encouraged to get to know Jesus by taking up His yoke. The saints worshiped God so mightily the building seemed to rock again, but it wasn’t an earthquake, it wasn’t a hurricane, it was to power of God! Bishop Joseph Clemens – a visiting speaker summed it up best when he gave closing remarks. “ It seems as though the Lord allowed the power to remain off, so that the real Power would be poured out.” Yes – we had a hand clappin, foot stompin good time at the 97th Annual Holy Convocation!! I left feeling empowered and favored of God. I knew this would be a Holy Convocation we would never forget. I imagined this was how the saints of old worshipped God. This was how they gained power with the Lord. They were not focused on the comforts of life; they were not concerned about the best restaurants to dine in, they had a hunger and thirst for God that only sincere worship would satisfy. As I left to return home, it made me proud to serve under a dynamic and anointed leader – Bishop Thomas. I was proud to serve in an anointed jurisdiction – Virginia first. I was glad and grateful I was in attendance at the 97th Annual Holy Convocation. History was made; souls were saved; saints were healed; yokes were destroyed; the anointing was poured out; because the saints refused to yield to weather and conditions. Yes, I wish you could have been there when we had CHURCH!!