History of the Great Lakes Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Michigan.
A new era began with the organization of the Great Lakes Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Michigan Church of God in Christ, Inc.
On November 17, 1966, during the Holy Convocation at the International headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, Cleveland Landis Anderson Jr. was consecrated to the Bishopric by the late Bishop O. T. Jones Sr., the Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ at the time.
Through the glory and grace of God Bishop C. L. Anderson Jr. was acknowledged for his great works throughout the state, and with the elevation to the office of Jurisdictional Bishop, on December 17, 1966 he stepped out on faith and met with a small group of devoted men of God. It was then that he conveyed the vision the Lord had given him, and founded the Great Lakes Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Michigan the third jurisdiction formed in the State of Michigan.
The Great Lakes Jurisdiction’s official rooster originally consisted of 8 districts and 25 churches, but under the leadership of Bishop C. L. Anderson Jr. it grew to 20 districts and over 80 churches.
The first Jurisdictional appointee was Elder A. M. Smith in the position of Jurisdictional Executive Secretary. He served faithfully for 31 years in that position and was later appointed to the office of Jurisdictional Administrative Assistant.
Bishop C. L. Anderson Jr. sought the Lord again and was led to appoint the late Mother Hattie E. Hunt as Jurisdictional Supervisor, whom had shown an excellent example of courage, faith, and perseverance.
As the Jurisdiction increased, Bishop Anderson made other appointments to various offices. Many of these appointees are still serving.
The first Spring Conference was held March 6-12, 1967 at the Greater Mt. Zion Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, 11520 Woodward Avenue, where Bishop C. L. Morton Jr. was pastor.
The first Holy Convocation was held August 7-14, 1967 at Faith Temple COGIC, 1331 E. Kirby where the late Elder C. C. Chapman was pastor.
From March 1968 to March 1972 the Jurisdictional Meetings were generally held at the Church of God, 17401 Joseph Campau, where Elder Willie Gordon was pastor.
With some services held at the following sites: The Masonic Temple on Second and Temple Avenue, and Grace Temple Church of God in Christ where the late Elder James Taylor served as pastor.
With the continued growth of the Great Lakes Jurisdiction, it was necessary to obtain a new location to accommodate the people.
In August 1972, the late Bishop J. S. Bailey, Jurisdictional Bishop of Southwestern Michigan, having adequate facilities at their jurisdictional headquarters, Bailey Cathedral, 7045 Curtis, opened his doors to the Great Lakes Jurisdiction and the mass meetings were held there until the year 2000.
The late Bishop W. Rimson joined the Great Lakes Jurisdiction in 1981 and was appointed assistant to the Jurisdictional Bishop. Supt. E. Lawrence was also appointed as an Administrative Assistant in the Great Lakes Jurisdiction.
The following history making events were instituted:
- The Annual Award Dinner,
- Soul-winning Crusade, and
- Christian Education Night.
Sharing in the history making was the appointment of the board of directors: Supt. H. Reed, Supt. O. A. Evans, the late Supt. C. Kirkwood, the late Supt. A. Henderson, Supt. C. T. Anderson, the late Supt. Z. Crawford, the late Supt. R. Craft, the late Elder W. Lee, Supt. C. Willis, the late Supt. C. Boyd and others. The “Save or City” Crusade was held at the following locations: Grace Temple Church of God in Christ, Anderson Memorial Church of God in Christ, and tent services at West Eight Mile Road and Glenlodge in Ferndale, Michigan. The Late Evangelist Z. Crawford was the first chairman of the crusade.
In 1972, Bishop C. L. Anderson Jr., was elected to the General Board of the during the International Holy Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee where he served for 27 years. He was appointed the Second Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ by the Late Bishop L. H. Ford and was later appointed First Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ International by the former presiding Bishop C. D. Owens.
The accomplishments and growth of the Jurisdiction and its leadership is attributed in part to the loyalty and cooperation of the Superintendents, Pastors, District Missionaries, department heads and workers of the Great Lakes Jurisdiction. On September 15, 1999 Bishop Cleveland Landis Anderson, Jr. entered the Church Triumphant.
In August 2000, Supt. Alfred M. Bishop Smith was installed as Jurisdictional Bishop of Great Lakes Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Michigan.
And the Great Lakes Second Jurisdiction continues to flourish and grow to the Glory of God.