Crime Spree and Holy Convocation Collide in Memphis

On Tuesday, the 115th annual COGIC (Church of God in Christ) convention, also known as the Holy Convocation landed in Memphis. This is the time of year that thousands of churchgoers gather to commemorate their public profession of faith and promote good works throughout the Christian community. The week long event (Nov. 7th-14th) is filled with festivities, prayer meetings, and seminars that display the Holy faith. According to its website, in 1945 founder Bishop Charles H. Mason established Memphis’ Mason Temple as COGIC’s international meeting place and headquarters. Mason Temple is now a landmark, most notably associated with Dr. Martin Luther King. It was here that King made his last public appearance and delivered the riveting “I’ve been to the Mountaintop” speech. King had been petitioned by Memphians to assist in the Poor People Campaign for equal rights, fair wages and adequate accommodations. This would ultimately be the last leg of King’s mission for social justice which, mainly focused on poverty. Ironically, this unfortunate element of society still has a grip on the city to this day. Fast forward to this year’s Holy convocation week and the face poverty and despair reared its head throughout various parts of Memphis. Like many major cities across the U.S. facing inflation and meager economic opportunities, Memphis has been experiencing an uptick in crime especially, car thefts and burglaries. Last weekend was no exception as disturbing viral videos surfaced Saturday night that showed large crowds of people loitering and looting several convenience stores, as well as, freight trucks. Shockingly enough, the corresponding events that took place this weekend reveals an unusual dichotomy between two sectors of the community; saints and sinners and the detachment that makes it difficult for them to coexist. Ordinarily, due to the multitude of visitors patronizing area businesses, the city of Memphis looks forward to the booster shot for the local economy. However, this time around as the saints came marching in merchandise came up missing. In the cell phone videos circulating on Facebook, viewers watched and reacted to the site of stores being ransacked and pillaged for everything from potato chips and auto products to various accessories. Another video shows a FedEx truck being unlawfully unloaded in the middle traffic. All this took place as the city serves as host to one of the biggest religious events of its kind. Is this a coincidence or does it speaks to just how tense spiritual warfare really is and the need for work to be done outside the walls of the church? •Leave a comment and share your thoughts on things that may help to address some of the city’s most pressing issues. #COGIC #HolyConvocation2023 #Memphis #FoodForThought #MediaEntree Subscribe and follow Media Entrèe on YouTube & Facebook. Use Cashapp to donate: $MediaEntree