Meet the Bishop

The mission-mind of Bishop Charles Elson Black came into existence through the parenting of Samuel and Rosie Black. Born September 28, 1935, in Crawfordville, Arkansas, the mind of Bishop Black received its molding and nurturing from the teaching and precepts of his saintly mother, Missionary Rosie Black. Missionary Black taught her son how to be compassionate and sensitive to the needs of those who were sick/or less fortunate. Throughout elementary and high schools, Bishop Black assisted his mother in feeding the hungry, reaching out to the poor and needy, and visiting the sick and shut-in.

Upon leaving Arkansas, Bishop Black took up residency in the area of Gary, Indiana, and was employed by United States Steel for thirty one years and ten months. Bishop Black began various programs of assistance from his home, loading his van, transporting food and giving assistance to those who were in need. Wherever possible, Bishop Black encouraged and incorporated the help of the local assembly of which he was a member.

While serving his local assembly as a deacon, Bishop Black was appointed as State President of Mission by the late Bishop W. O. Blakley. During his twenty year tenure as state president, Bishop Black received the assignment from God to reach souls through the ministry of His Living Word. From a deacon, ascending to a higher calling of a minister, then moving up the ranks to elder, Elder Charles Black saw the necessity of studying to show himself approved unto God. Consequently, he enrolled in the Charles Harrison Mason Bible College. There he received the foundation to be elevated to the positions of pastor and superintendent.

Bishop Black's evangelistic outreach began in his early call to missions and included the jail and street ministries. During his trek to dope and prostitute houses, the Holy Ghost gave Bishop Black the name "Mission for Christ". Led by Bishop Black, The "Missions for Christ" team prayed fervently before each walk in order to reach the goal of souls for the Kingdom. Out of the jail and street ministries came the urgency and unctioning to obtain a place to feed the hungry. In a vision, God revealed the place in which whose hunger and thirst might be satisfied. As the vision began to unfold, Bishop Black said, "Yes, Lord!" It was then that the Holy Ghost spoke to him assuredly, saying "I'll bless you one hundredfold."

March, 1991, being obedient to the Spirit, but not knowing the completion or full revelation of the vision, God moved upon Bishop Black to invest his savings to purchase a building to feed both body and soul. This being the beginning of his pastoral calling, the official service of Mission for Christ Church of God in Christ was held on April 7, 1991. Now the flock may graze on five acres of holy ground and dine graciously inside the consecrated structure that has the assessed valuation of a quarter million dollars. Bishop Black continues to reap the promised "hundredfold" blessings.

Bishop Black has traveled extensively with the International President of Mission, Bishop Carlis L. Moody. As he accompanied Bishop Moody, some of the areas to which the mission work summoned Bishop Black were: South Africa, Ethiopia and Haiti.

Bishop Black has served as Chairman of Finance for the Department of Missions. He is a Regional Director of Missions, encompassing the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. He also serves as a member of the Board of the International Mission Department.

Bishop Black's most recent appointment to the office of Vice President of the International Mission Department was conferred upon him April 16, 2001, by the Presiding Bishop G. E. Patterson and sanctioned by the members of the Board of Bishops.

Presently, Bishop Black pastors the lovely Mission for Christ Church of God in Christ. Prior to going home to be with the Lord, daughter Pamela Yvette worked happily in the ministry with her father. Currently in the harvest of soul-winning with Bishop Black are his wife, Missionary Beatrice Louise Oliver-Black, his wonderful children and the family of intercessors at Mission for Christ Church of God in Christ.