Bishop Charles Harrison Mason

Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, the founder of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC):

1. Early Life: Charles Harrison Mason was born on September 8, 1864, in Shelby County, Tennessee, to formerly enslaved parents, Jerry and Eliza Mason.

2. Childhood Illness: As a child, Mason suffered from tuberculosis. His miraculous recovery after his family’s prayers influenced his lifelong faith.

3. Religious Calling: He received his call to ministry in 1879 at the age of 15, inspired by his deep faith and upbringing.

4. Baptist Beginnings: Mason was originally a Baptist preacher, having received his license to preach in 1893.

5. Influence of Holiness Movement: He was deeply influenced by the Holiness Movement, particularly the teachings of Charles Price Jones, a popular Holiness preacher.

6. Holiness Advocacy: Mason broke away from the Baptist tradition due to differences over the Holiness doctrine, which emphasizes sanctification and living a holy life.

7. COGIC Founding: He co-founded the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in 1897 with Charles Price Jones and J.A. Jeter but reorganized it in 1907 after a theological split.

8. Pentecostal Experience: Mason had a transformative experience at the Azusa Street Revival in 1907, where he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues.

9. Pentecostal Belief: After Azusa, Mason became a strong advocate for Pentecostalism, making COGIC the first major African American Pentecostal denomination.

10. COGIC Leadership: He served as the first Senior Bishop and Chief Apostle of COGIC, leading the church from its inception in 1907 until his death in 1961.

11. Vision of the Church: Mason believed in an inclusive, Spirit-filled church and worked to expand COGIC across racial and cultural lines.

12. Organizational Growth: Under Mason's leadership, COGIC grew rapidly, becoming one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the United States.

13. Headquarters: He established the denomination’s headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, which remains the spiritual center of COGIC today.

14. Emphasis on Prayer: Mason was known for his deep prayer life, often spending hours or even days in prayer and fasting.

15. Church Constitution: He formalized COGIC’s constitution and doctrinal statement, emphasizing holiness, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and speaking in tongues.

16. Interracial Work: Mason welcomed and mentored white Pentecostal leaders like William Durham, influencing the broader Pentecostal movement.

17. Social Advocacy: During his ministry, Mason encouraged education, economic empowerment, and social justice, particularly for African Americans.

18. Holiness Standards: He emphasized strict holiness standards, including modest dress, abstinence from alcohol, and moral integrity.

19. Music and Worship: Mason embraced dynamic worship styles, including gospel music and spirited singing, which became hallmarks of COGIC services.

20. Missionary Work: Under Mason’s guidance, COGIC sent missionaries worldwide, spreading Pentecostalism to Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.

21. Historic Convocations: Mason established the COGIC Holy Convocation, an annual gathering that remains one of the largest religious conventions in the U.S.

22. Legacy of Leadership: He ordained thousands of ministers and bishops, many of whom became influential leaders within and beyond COGIC.

23. Opposition and Trials: Mason faced opposition for his Pentecostal beliefs, including being expelled from the Baptist church and enduring ridicule.

24. Lifespan: Mason lived to the age of 97, witnessing nearly a century of change and growth within the church he founded.

25. Legacy: Bishop Mason’s teachings and leadership continue to inspire millions worldwide, and his life is commemorated in COGIC history and culture.

Bishop Mason's profound spiritual influence and commitment to holiness and Pentecostalism have cemented his legacy as one of the most important figures in American religious history.