06/26/2024
Grace and peace be unto from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
It has been my honor to serve as Presiding Prelate of Church of God in Christ, International for 23 years. Over these years we have witnessed growth and change in various fashions. Through it all, the Lord has proved himself to be faithful to myself and our organization. This year, I will be retiring from my role as Presiding Prelate of Church of God in Christ, International. I have labored for many years in this position and I believe God has graced me to enjoy rest in my 85th year of life.
In due order, our 1st Vice Presider—Bishop Austin Craig Williams Sr. will be announced as Presiding Bishop—Designate at our Holy Convocation in August 2024. He will be officially appointed in a formal celebration at another date.
Bishop Williams has faithfully served myself, our board and our body as an episcopate since his consecration in 2017. He possesses academic credentials from Oral Roberts University and Liberty University. He is a faithful pastor and a man who loves his family.
Bishop Williams will become the sixth Presider of our organization since our formulation in 1969. All other officers will remain in current order according to the incoming Presider’s discretion.We are looking forward to the awesome things that God has in store for our Body. Remember to “know Him and make Him known!” I implore you—stay together, love one another and do the impossible!
I close with the words of Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:19 “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
Till Christ Returns,
Archbishop John C. White
