The Auxiliaries in Ministry (AIM) Executive Staff chosen and appointed by Chairman J. Drew Sheard, and the AIM Presidents, Vice Presidents and Chairladies appointed by the Presiding Bishop are some of the most spiritually gifted and dedicated individuals. Chairman Sheard is a master communicator. He utilizes every form of communication. He is totally accessible. He picks up his cell in the midst of lunch, a business meeting, and/or while driving. Throughout the year, he has constant personal and group phone conferences, e-mails, U.S. mailings, and website communiqué. During AIM there are multiple meetings where he’s kept abreast of the many areas such as:
Finance Team, Registration/Housing, Public Relations, Newsletter, Legal Team, Education, Logistics, Exhibits/Vendors, Worship Coordinators, Jurisdictional AIM Chairpersons, Grant Writing Commission, Corporate Sponsor Commission, Security Team, Souvenir Journal, Command Central, Webcasting Team, AIM Youth Services, Scholastic Motivation Ministries, Drill Team, Adjutancy Academy, Intercessory Prayer, Transportation, Ushers…
The “Spirit of Excellence” rests over the Chairman, the Presidents, and the Auxiliaries In Ministry (AIM) staff, which includes: Bishop Roy Dixon, Mother LuVonia Whittley and Mother Valerie Daniels-Carter. The distinguished and highly respected Chairman of AIM, Superintendent J. Drew Sheard, has surrounded himself with some of the most anointed, experienced and devoted workers COGIC has produced. Chairman Sheard, an extraordinary visionary, operating under the direction of the Holy Spirit, has brought AIM to its highest pinnacle. In the past two years extraordinary growth in registration, attendance, and finance has occurred. Things are done for the Glory and Honor of God!
The Diversity of Spiritual Gifts is put into action. Culmination of almost every setting reaches out for the lost. Also, the endeavor of AIM is to Perfect the Saints. Ephesians 4:11-13 states And He gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
AIM is considered by many as one of the greatest conventions of the Church of God in Christ. AIM has something to offer everyone. In the morning, afternoon, and evening, a person of any age can move freely through the three (3) Convention settings involving the five (5) Major Departments:
- MY (Music and Youth)
- ME (Mission and Evangelism)
- SS (Sunday School)
And through eight (8) other settings:
- Scholastic Motivation Ministries: Executive Director Pastor Michael Eaddy
- C.H. Mason Jurisdictional Institutes: Dr. Goldie Wells
- Jurisdictional AIM Presidents: Supt. Mark Gilkey
- Children’s Ministry: Eld. David Perry
- Charles Harrison Mason Historical Society: Elder Novell Woolfolk
- COGIC Scholars Fellowship Academic Forum: Eld. Raynard Smith
- AIM High School Career Fair: Evang. Glenda Mitchell
- AIM Specialty Session: Professor Eugenia Greene
AIM is a very complex setting! There are: classes, Morning Department Services, seminars, rehearsals, workshops, prayer sessions, auxiliary breakfasts, auxiliary luncheons, Presidents’ banquets, receptions, eating and shopping venues, forums, musicals, drill competitions, athletic events, musicals, back home hour, AIM Youth Services, Evening Combined Services, Children’s choirs, Youth choirs, combined choirs, orchestra, AIM Academic Scholarships, Career Fair, pageants, drama, computer workshops, jump rope competitions, chant competition, youth talent hour, etc., etc.., etc…
President of the International Music Department, Professor Iris Stevenson, is a musical genius who has humbly represented the Church of God in Christ throughout the world. Because of the Church’s emphasis on Global Ministry, President Stevenson developed cultural exchange programs sharing “Common Ground” experiences, and spreading the Gospel in native languages around the world. Under her leadership, the following programs have been implemented:
- Sista 2 Sista Concerts
- Go All Out Praise Festivals
- The Soulful Soiree
- It’s Yo Time
- It’s a Family Affair
- RE ‘CHOIR’ ED
- A Song Is Born
(original vision of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark)
Musical aggregations were strengthened and established such as:
The International Mass Choir
International Youth Choir
Sister Jacky Clark Chisholm & Staff
International Children’s Choir,
Puppet Ministry and Handbell Choir
Elder David Perry, Rebara Blalark & Staff
Send Judah First
Dr. Judith Christie McAllister & Staff
International Grand Orchestra
Dr. Vernard Johnson, Ezra Howard,
Terence Curry
Appointed to serve along with International Music President Stevenson is a powerful group of Vice-Presidents:
Vice-President Dorinda Clark Cole
Vice-President Barbara Jackson
Vice President Judith McAllister
Vice-President Frank A. White
The legacy of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark continues to this day in her powerful daughters and granddaughter. The renowned Clark Sisters (a movie of their lives will be soon released) were honored in the 2007 Stellar Awards Ceremony held in Nashville, Tennessee. Natalie Cole introduced Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick of Detroit who in turn presented the Chevrolet 2007 Achievement Award to the Clark Sisters. Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole, Vice-President of the International Music Department, was honored with the 2007 Stellar Award for Female Vocalist of the Year. In the same 2007 Stellar Award Ceremony, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark’s granddaughter Kiki Sheard (Chairman Sheard’s daughter) performed. In 2008, the Clark Sisters won three Grammy Awards, and they were, also, recipients of the Grammy Presidents Merit Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Evangelist Karen Clark Sheard, the First Lady of AIM, (besides being a tremendous support for her husband AIM Chairman J. Drew Sheard) has one of the world’s greatest voices. She is uniquely beautiful outwardly and inwardly. Being highly acclaimed as a greatly anointed Gospel singer, her name was mentioned several times by American Idol’s judge Randy Jackson as his favorite singer. Evangelist Karen Clark-Sheard has a powerful testimony of God’s Amazing Deliverance that she has, at times, incorporated in her songs.
Dr. Iris Stevenson was inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame for her contribution to the Gospel Music Industry on Saturday, October 21, 2006. Dr. Stevenson has performed for the Dalai Lama, won two Gold Medals in the Busan Choir Olympics in Korea, one Gold Medal and Two Silver Medals in the 2006 World Choir Games in Xiamen, China against 400 Choirs.
Organized in 1914 by our Founder Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, the International Youth Department was the first of the Five Major Auxiliaries. Thereby, the majority of AIM delegates are Young People. The dynamic President Michael Hill’s passion for Youth ministry and commitment for excellence has taken the Department to a new level. In the past two years, he has established new programs such as the first Youth Advisory Council (YAC) which includes YAC Magazine, YAC Town Hall Meeting, and Talent Search, among other ministries. He, also, has unveiled a new Department Logo. President Hill and his staff continue to operate many programs such as Young Women of Excellence, Young Men of Valor, R.A.Y. of Hope, Y.E.S. Club, Peersuaders, Gathering Place, which were implemented during the presidency of Supt. J. Drew Sheard, and various other ministries.
As International Chairlady, Joyce Rodgers continues to be a strong motivator of Youth. With her high energy and vivacious spirit, Chairlady Joyce Rodgers enhanced the programs of the International Youth Department. Chairlady Joyce Rodgers has been an important personality and invaluable official through three International Youth Presidents. She is coordinator of Young Women of Excellence, which culminates with a pageant. Other programs are developed such as: Sister to Sister, Created to Praise (Praise Dancers), and Young Women in Ministry (YWM). Evangelist Joyce Rodgers has traveled throughout the U.S.A. preaching powerful messages. She, also, is an author.
Besides being a dynamic Youth leader, President Hill is an anointed preacher. In AIM Detroit, 2008, his powerful sermon entitled “Did You Bring Your Lunch?” (St. John 6:9) caused 500 Youth to rush to the altar, lingering under the Power of the Holy Spirit long after the service ended.
President Hill enthusiastically speaks of innovative programs that he plans to institute in 2009, such as:
- Live Webcast with Live streams of Youth Explosions around the country
- Developing a Foreign Youth Exchange starting with Brazil to be lead by Dr. Terence Rhone
- Additions to the Gathering Place: A Night of Poetry and a Comedy Night
- More Focus on the Arts: Painting, Drawing (not just singing and dancing)
- COGIC Campus: Bible Teaching, Ministry on various college campuses
Bishop Alton Gatlin, President of the International Sunday School Department, is a prolific writer, educator and motivator. He was appointed Bishop of Trinidad in November 2007. Bishop Gatlin is leading the growth and expansion of the local church Sunday School and expanding the outreach of the Sunday School Department by reaching out to International communities. He published four Sunday School Manuals. He has written:
- Your Sunday School Can Start Now
- Sunday School Worker
- Church Growth through Sunday School
- Go Win!
Mother Georgia Macklin-Lowe was appointed by Presiding Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson as International Field Representative. She had been in the International Sunday School Department serving under Bishop Williams and Bishop Macklin.
The International Sunday School Department has a mission oriented side. The Sunday School is in partnership with the American Bible Society and every year thousands of Bibles are donated in the U.S. and foreign fields. The first year of the program 10,000 Bibles were donated. The International Sunday School has adopted Uganda, South Africa and helps Orphanages and a Medical Center in the Congo where Mother Kennedy has served for about 40 years. Also, thousands of Sunday School Books are sent to the Mission Field (Home and Foreign). The website cogicsundayschool.com have lessons that can be downloaded in the particular foreign language through the internet. In other words, their lessons are being translated in the process of downloading.
As leader of the International Department of Evangelism, President Dennis L. Martin, Sr. has primarily focused on restoring the vital ministry and integrity of the Evangelist which includes street and prison ministry, prayer and altar work and Christian education. A great preacher and evangelist, President Martin’s objective is to continue reviving the Spirit of soul winning throughout the Church of God in Christ by compelling the body of Christ to embrace the Great Commission.
The International Department of Evangelism Elect Lady, Supervisor Maria Gardner-Thomas, has been a powerful Evangelist for 47 years and has instituted training for women in:
- World Evangelism
- Proper Conduct
- Retirement Preparation
Since 2007 the Department of Evangelism has implemented:
- National AIM Training Curriculum
- Official Training Manual, Second Edition
- Evangelistic Breakthrough Services, 2007 Holy Convocation
- On-line Newsletter: Voice of Evangelism
- On-line National Reporting System
- COGIC National Witnessing Day (Code RED: Regional Evangelism Day)
2009 Department Goals are to Develop:
¨ Evangelistic Fresh Oil Conference (Specialized Training for all Evangelists)
- Mentoring Program
- Regional Crusades
- COGIC Witnessing Tracts
- On-line Training Modules
- On-line Tracking Database
- National Evangelist Academy
It takes an extremely courageous person to go to a foreign land where the race, language, culture, and/or food are vastly different. Bishop Carlis L. Moody, Sr., President of the International Missions Department was appointed in 1975 by the Presiding Bishop J.O. Patterson, Sr. Bishop Moody tells of standing alone in a strange country without an address, contact name, or ability to speak the language. Bishop Moody was placed in a situation where he was totally dependent on God. This gives God an opportunity to show Who He Really Is! Bishop Moody and the Missions Department are more fully covered in their own section of this magazine.
For the first time in the History of AIM, the Convention City was changed in the middle of the year. The 2007 AIM Convention was changed from Nashville, Tennessee to Louisville, Kentucky. This was a necessary change! The decision by Chairman Sheard to change took courage. It was a decision in the Greek word loparsonian, meaning no compromise. That decision to change allowed no compromise in the quality and integrity of the AIM setting.
In Detroit, 2008, AIM made history when AIM Specialty Session presented Presiding Bishop Charles Edward Blake in a Presiding Bishop’s Forum on Building Mega Churches. During this successful forum, The Presiding Bishop presented his Vision for the New Millennium in the MGM Grand Salon II setting.
Many AIM Executives consider AIM as a second or extra job throughout the year. When Chairman J. Drew Sheard stood ready to deliver his message on Thursday, July 3, 2008 at the Detroit Cobo Center, a very influential person in Hollywood sitting next to me asked: “Why is it necessary to mention all those names? Is that just protocol?” I answered, in essence, “Because most of those persons work from July to July in preparation for AIM – He’s just showing appreciation.” During the last meeting of Chairman Sheard with the Presidents and AIM staff, we were instructed to meet in Tampa, Florida on September 16, 2008 for a Walk Through and a Rally in preparation for the 2009 AIM. Since 2005, Chairman Sheard has presented the Church of God in Christ with $402,000.00. He plans to assist in COGIC endeavors in missions and award more Academic Scholarships.
