Tennessee, one of the States forming the Historical Triangle of the Church Of God In Christ, is the State of Incorporation for our church. Along with the States of Mississippi and Arkansas, Tennessee has served as the foundation for the church that has become known as one of the fastest growing churches in the world.

The State contains a great amount of our church’s history. It is the place of birth of our founder, Bishop Charles Harrison Mason; it is the State where the Historic Mason Temple is located and also the place from which our ministry is conducted throughout the fifty States of America and fifty-six countries around the world.

Among the leaders produced by the Church Of God In Christ, a great number have called the State of Tennessee home. In the embryonic stage of the church, God used Bishop Mason to identify and prepare men and women for service who became well-recognized luminaries. As time passed, others were trained to step into the roles of leadership that have resulted in the success we now enjoy as a religious communion.

At one time, the entire State was under the auspices of one man; however, growth necessitated additional leadership, which led to the creation of East and West Jurisdictions. With a spirit of evangelism permeating the State, growth again dictated additional leadership. It was through this need that the third jurisdiction was created.

An official agreement was drawn up of strict geographical boundaries designating the location of the three jurisdictions. It was determined that the churches located within the city limits of Memphis would comprise the Headquarters jurisdiction. All churches located in the boundaries from the easternmost border of Tennessee westward to the Tennessee River would be called the Eastern Jurisdiction of Tennessee. The remaining territory would be known as the Central Jurisdiction.

The Headquarters Jurisdiction would serve as the seat of the Presiding Bishop and the East Jurisdiction would be led by Bishop Audley King, one of the pioneering pastors of the eastern region of the State. To fill the role of leader for the newly created Jurisdiction, the leadership of the church rewarded one of its most diligent workers. It was on August 1, 1981, at the end of the Jurisdictional Convocation that Bishop J.O. Patterson, Sr., Presiding Bishop of the church announced that Auxiliary Bishop, W.L. Porter, would be elevated to the Sacred Office of Jurisdictional Prelate and would be assigned to the new jurisdiction.

Continuing to show the aggressive leadership for which he was known throughout the church, Bishop Porter immediately began to seek new quarters from which he would be able to administer the affairs of the jurisdiction. His quest would lead him to purchase the former Calvary Baptist Church, which yet serves as the Headquarter Offices for the Tennessee Central Jurisdiction. It was from this site that the Service of Consecration and Installation was held for Bishop Porter. From that night, October 8, 1981, the Central Jurisdiction has grown to become the largest of the Jurisdictions in the state of Tennessee.

Central Jurisdiction, under Bishop Porter’s leadership, has been one of the major contributors to the Church Of God In Christ. Since its establishment in 1981, it has remained in the top 5% of donors to the budget of the church. The contributions, however, were not in monetary gifts alone.

Never missing a call to serve, Bishop Porter became an advisor to every Presiding Bishop the church has elected. His resume, while impressive, is one that speaks to his service. These positions and offices of service include the following:

• Member of the General Board
• Chief Operating Officer
• Superintendent of National Properties
• Board of Trustees
• Organizer of the Bishop’s Conference
• Coordinator of the International Holy Convocation
• National Director of Public Relations

The mark of a true leader is that he prepares others for leadership. As others took care to groom Bishop Porter for leadership, he followed their example and groomed many of today’s leaders. Throughout the church there are many who received his training, however, it is in the Central Jurisdiction that much of his training is seen.

The Central Jurisdiction has to its credit several persons serving the in key National Capacities of the Church. There are other individuals who have been trained by Bishop Porter who have formerly served or are currently serving.

• The Late Elder A. Z. Hall, General Secretary
• Superintendent Brandon Porter, Member, Board of Trustees Director of Marketing & Community Affairs Former President-International Youth Department
• Elder Andrew Perpener, Chief Accountant
• Elder Readus Smith, Director of Transportation
• Elder Eddie Whitelaw, Director of Regional Directors (General Secretary Office)
• Elder Linwood Dillard, Executive Secretary, International Youth Department Assistant Secretary, National Tithing Committee
• Supervisor Sideary King, Director of Global Missions Office
• Mother Georgia Macklin-Lowe, Field Representative, International Sunday School
• Member, Board of Trustees
• Evangelist Barachias Irons, Assistant General Secretary-Publications Editor, National Souvenir Journal

The progress made by the Tennessee Central Jurisdiction is attributed to God. From the monthly Jurisdictional Leadership Conference, to the W.L. Porter Training Institute, the constituents of the Jurisdiction are nurtured through a plethora of ministries inspired of the Lord.

As the Church Of God In Christ grows, so grows the Tennessee Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

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