About
Missouri Midwest
Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction
History
In the year 2013, Pastor Shadrach Martin (who had been reared in the Church Of God In Christ, and had joined another reformation) contacted Dr. Elijah Hankerson III, on the subject of coming back into membership in the Church Of God In Christ. This desire would come to fruition at a later date. On Friday, September 26, 2014, the Presiding Bishop of the Church Of God In Christ, Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., did the unprecedented move of preaching the pastoral anniversary of Dr. Elijah Hankerson in Saint Louis. Bishop Blake's obvious concern for pastors, caused many independent and non-denominational pastors to desire to come into the fold of the Church Of God In Christ.
Many of these pastors approached Dr. Hankerson, two of which were: (as previously mentioned) Pastor Shadrach Martin and Pastor (Prophet) Marcus Mickles. Dr. Hankerson instructed these two pastors to contact his jurisdictional prelate: Bishop R. J. Ward.
Bishop Ward, being a generous leader, welcomed these two gentlemen as pastors into Missouri Eastern First Jurisdiction (aka "Eastern Missouri"). On October 11, 2014, Bishop Ward requested and appointed Dr. Hankerson to form a new district, with the purpose of receiving new churches into the Church Of God In Christ. It was Dr. Hankerson's desire to honor the memory of his former district superintendent in "Eastern Missouri," therefore the name of the district was deemed the Robert C. Williams District. The district started with three pastors: Dr. Hankerson, Pastor Martin and Prophet Mickles. Dr. Hankerson felt that if the district would grow to seven churches, it would be a pretty large organization. However, God had other plans.
A constitution was ratified, the district was incorporated, officers were appointed and plans were set in place to establish a strong work for the Lord. Some of the early staff members that were appointed by Dr. Hankerson included Evangelist Janice Moorehead over the Youth and Minister Isaac Hayes over the Music Department. It is important to note that the Lord had revealed to Min. Hayes that the district would become a jurisdiction. In a short time, he worked untiringly to ensure that the Music Department would reflect that status. Sadly, at a young age, he unexpectedly passed away, before he could see his vision come to pass. But, God was faithful to His promise.
Of note is the fact that Dr. Hankerson, with the support of the pastors, selected Dr. T. Marie Brown, a renowned international evangelist, to serve as the District Missionary and Evangelist Yvonne Martin to serve as Assistant District Missionary. This was approved by Bishop Ward. Therefore, Mother Theresa E. Bolden (supervisor of the Department of Women for "Eastern Missouri") performed the installation.
It is also significant at this point to mention, once again, the liberality of Bishop Ward. He wrote a letter, delegating and authorizing Dr. Hankerson to receive independent ministries into the Church Of God In Christ, through "Eastern Missouri." Through many obstacles, Bishop Ward nurtured, mentored and protected the Robert C. Williams District.
Bishop Ward is known throughout the Saint Louis area, as a dynamic Gospel preacher. However, at the district installation, which occurred February 8, 2015, Bishop Ward took the time to teach and provide apostolic instruction to the district. Not only was the installation service, "standing room only," but by this time the work had grown to an unusual number of 26 churches! In addition to that, the district had established missions support to 56 churches located in Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast.
The plan was for "Robert C. Williams" to be an outstanding district. However, when the number of churches surpassed the 30 mark, it was now obvious that God had His own agenda. And, his plan always prevails! In his Official Day remarks at the jurisdictional Holy Convocation, on May 17, 2015, Bishop Ward stated publicly to Dr. Hankerson that, once he (Dr. Hankerson) obtained 31 churches, he (Bishop Ward) would recommend him to become a jurisdictional bishop.
On Friday, June 12, 2015, Presiding Bishop Blake, Bishop R. J. Ward and Dr. Hankerson met by phone conference. Dr. Hankerson reported that 42 pastors were now a part of the district. Bishop Ward made his recommendation to the Presiding Bishop. Bishop Ward stated that Dr. Hankerson had his, "one hundred percent support." Bishop Blake stated that this was, "unheard of," and that we are, "grateful to Bishop Ward," and, "with 42 churches, it would be hard to deny this request."
Through much adversity, the pastors of the Robert C. Williams District were loyal to God and each other. After successfully passing the task of vetting and examination, our district became the MISSOURI MIDWEST ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION!
We are ever eternally grateful for the men and women of God who stepped out by faith and embraced this work and vision to build the Kingdom of God. The original pastors are as follows (if these pioneers had not stepped out on faith; we would not be where we are today): Elijah H. Hankerson III, Shadrach Martin, Marcus Mickles, Charles Morgan, Devone Crusoe, Michael Robinson, Mourice Garrison, Gerald Pace, Mark Smith, Ken Trapp, Jerrell Montgomery, Brian S. Snypes, Gus and Lutricia Roberts, H. Randy James and Cheri C. McCottrell-James, Margaret Parker, L. T. Daniel, Thomas E. Walker, Michael Lampkin, Frederick J. McCullough, Robert Carey, Antoine D. Hobson, Kevon Pippens, Milton Green, Sr., James Bell, Shirley Alexander-Flie, Gregory Robinson, Benny Robinson, Kenneth Johnson, Mike Shelby, Debra Zigler, Thomas Rodgers II, Cleotis C. Doss, Calvin Moore, Ronald S. Irving, Toney Thurman, Derrick Robinson, Kenny Bankhead, Jovon Jones, Walter Banks, Lasona Jefferson, Rodney A. Brooks and Andrew Banks.
About Our Bishop
Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III is one of the 12 Apostles (General Board member) of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Evangel University), Master of Arts (Assemblies of God Theological Seminary) and a Doctorate of Divinity (Academy of Theology). He has been mentored by some great leaders: the late Dr. Elijah H. Hankerson I, the late Bishop T. L. Westbrook, the late Bishop E. Harris Moore, Bishop R. J. Ward and Presiding Bishop Emeritus Charles E. Blake, Sr. Not only does he serve with Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard, but has adopted Bishop Sheard as his family’s pastor.
He travels extensively, preaching the Gospel and has 29 years of pastoral experience and has been in the ministry for 35 years. He is the Senior Pastor and founder of the Life Center International C.O.G.I.C. of Saint Louis, MO. He also founded the Institute of Ministerial Excellence and Training. Prior to this he pastored the Christ Temple C.O.G.I.C. and later the Timmons Temple C.O.G.I.C., both of Springfield, MO. While serving Timmons Temple, Dr. Hankerson served on the Sherman Avenue Area Project Committee, the Spiritual Life Committee of Evangel University and also founded the Ann Hankerson Community Development Center.
Bishop Hankerson was active in the Missouri Eastern First Jurisdiction (Church Of God In Christ), under Bishop R. J. Ward as a: Special Assistant, Vice Chairman of Superintendents, Chairman of the Public Relations Department and member of the program committee, ordination board, grievance committee and board of directors. He formerly worked as an Administrative Assistant and founding Superintendent of the Robert C. Williams District; overseeing over 40 churches, with missions work to 56 churches on the continent of Africa.
Bishop Hankerson’s district grew so extensively, that with the recommendation of Presiding Bishop Blake and Bishop Ward, it became the Missouri Midwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction (MMEJ)! MMEJ passed all vetting of the General Board and the Standards and Extensions Committee. When the vote came before the General Assembly, to establish the new jurisdiction, it was ratified with a (historical) UNANIMOUS vote of over 2,500 delegates! Bishop Hankerson, who had been consecrated as an Auxiliary Bishop, only 12 hours before, was then duly appointed Jurisdictional Bishop of Missouri Midwest. MMEJ now has over 64 pastors.
Internationally the bishop served the Church Of God In Christ as: three term President of the International Department of Evangelism. He has formerly served as Representative of the General Board to the General Assembly; Coordinator of both the 40-day consecration preceding the International Holy Convocation and also the 50-day Pilgrimage to Pentecost; Board Member of Jubilee Broadcasting Network; Vice Chairman of Vision Week. His other past commitments to the Church have been: founding Executive Board member and former Director of Public Relations for COGIC Urban Initiatives, Inc.; member of the Holy Convocation program committee; member of the Tri-Jurisdictional Liaison Committee; Point Person for the Soul Winning Ministry; member of the Constitution Committee of the General Assembly; Deputy to the Commissioner of Technology and Media and member of the Committee to host the Holy Convocation in St Louis, MO. Along with preaching in many national meetings; Bishop Hankerson has also had the distinct honor of preaching for Presiding Bishop Emeritus Charles E. Blake, Sr., on many occasions, at the world renowned West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, CA and for Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard at the prestigious Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church Of God In Christ in Detroit, Michigan. He also preached as a keynote speaker in both the 104th International Holy Convocation and the 106th International Holy Convocation. In December 2021, Bishop Hankerson was elected to the General Board of the Church Of God In Christ, where he currently serves as Co-Chair of the Worship Commission for the International Holy Convocation.
Heavily involved in the community, Bishop Hankerson had the honor of serving as the past President of the Saint Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition (the oldest and largest minority clergy association in St Louis). He has currently been appointed by the Saint Louis County Executive to the St. Louis County Justice Services Advisory Board. He is a “Life Member” of the NAACP.
Past community activities have included: member of the distinguished Charmaine Chapman Society and member of both the Northside Neighborhood Action Association and the Police Department’s Sixth District Community Outreach. He has served in times past as a coordinator of the monthly clergy meeting with the mayor of Saint Louis, reelection campaign committee for Mayor Francis Slay and participant of the monthly meeting with the superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools. He has also had the privilege of giving the keynote address, for the citywide Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday celebrations, for both the cities of Springfield, Missouri and Saint Louis, Missouri; he has been named an “Honorary Chair” of the annual Saint Louis celebration. He has received numerous awards and honors: including a resolution from the Missouri State Senate, offered by (former state senator) Congressman William Lacy Clay, Jr. and two resolutions from the Board of Alderman of the city of Saint Louis. He has also had the privilege of serving in the motorcade for President Barack Obama.
Throughout his years of ministry Bishop Hankerson has had the honor of serving with various ecumenical bodies including: staff member, Joyce Meyer Ministries; “12 priests,” Juanita Bynum Ministries/Midwest Regional Prayer Revival; Co-Chair, Gateway Call/Donnie McClurkin Ministries, board member Anointed Music Ministries and executive board member, Gateway Kingdom Ministries.
Believing in the impact of media ministry, Dr. Hankerson initiated the Life Center Radio Program and the Keys for Life Television Program. He also previously wrote a monthly column in Sparkman Magazine, entitled “Ask the Doctor,” and has been a guest on both the Trinity Broadcasting Network and the Word Network. He now has an extensive social media following.
Dr. Hankerson has travelled extensively, including: all 50 states and many countries. He has been sent to the nation of Israel on four occasions, having the honor to have preached the Gospel in Jerusalem, Israel twice.
Bishop Hankerson believes that the success of your public ministry is based on the success of your ministry in private and at home. The love and inspiration of Dr. Hankerson’s life is his lovely wife, Evangelist Rachel L. Hankerson of 23 years and 9 months and their three children: Elijah IV, Raquel and Matthew, who are 5th generation members of the Church Of God In Christ. Sadly, and unexpectedly, Bishop Hankerson’s best friend, number one supporter, partner in ministry and life, Lady Rachel Hankerson, went home to be with the Lord on Father’s Day, June 20, 2021. Her memory was honored by Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle, Bishop J. Drew Sheard doing her eulogy, flanked by the General Board, General Supervisor, a large number of national officers and thousands of mourners in a two-day celebration of life. She will always be remembered.
