(Memphis, TN) The Assemblies of God, the nation’s largest historically white Pentecostal denomination in the country, is supporting the Church of God in Christ, the largest black Pentecostal denomination’s Black Lives Matter Sunday.
The two largest Pentecostal denominations are standing united in solidarity to support Black Lives Matter Sunday, December 14, 2014.
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and the Assemblies of God (AG) are unified in the effort that asks churches around the country to set aside the day to pray for African American men, because of the recent controversial grand jury decisions in Staten Island, New York and Ferguson, Missouri not to return indictments against white police officers in the deaths of two black males, Eric Garner and Michael Brown.
Dr. George O. Wood, General Superintendent of the AG wrote a letter to all of the AG pastors saying in part, “First and foremost black lives matter. The lives of all people are precious to God, of course, but at the present moment, our black brothers and sisters feel that their lives are not highly valued by white America.”
He further states, “Because black lives matter, and because America needs the Church to heal its lingering racial divisions, I ask that Assemblies of God churches join the Church of God in Christ on Sunday, December 14, 2014, and pray.”
COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. says, “I am grateful for this unprecedented letter and show of support from Dr. George O. Wood, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. Dr. Wood and the AG demonstrate the love and healing power of Christ by standing with the Church of God in Christ to categorically say, black lives matter.”
The Church of God in Christ and the Assemblies of God share a rich heritage. Today, the two church’s leaders also share a great friendship.
About the Church of God in Christ:
The Church of God in Christ is the fifth largest Protestant religious denomination and the largest African American church in the United States, with churches in 63 countries worldwide and an estimated membership of nearly 6.5 million members.
