A MOTHER’S FAITH:
A Tribute to COGIC Mothers and the Faith that Move Mountains
This is the first in a series looking at the lives of mothers, both natural and spiritual, and the tremendous role they play within the family life and the spiritual life of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc.(COGIC). Since 1911, the Church Of God In Christ has had a Church Mother, known as the General Supervisor of the Department of Women and most churches have a Church Mother or collective Mother’s Board. These saintly women provide leadership and guidance to the members of the local, jurisdictional and national church. This marks the first of a few of their stories we will tell leading to Mother’s Day on May 8, 2022:
A perusal of social media can certainly find many things, some good and some bad. However, if you go to the social media page of California resident and COGIC member, Evangelist Victoria Turner, you will find a recurring theme: a family that loves God and His church! On March 21, Victoria shared a memory from 3/21/2020, right after the pandemic, of her two youngest children having church. The video depicts America (the little Missionary) and Mario having some serious church. America is preaching and Mario is signifying after every sentence. These scenes do not just happen but are a result of an atmosphere that has been cultivated by someone special. In this case, it is a mother.
If you are in the Southern California area, you know or have seen Victoria and her four children: Heavenlyn, Aaliyah, Mario and America. Victoria keeps her children clothed and fed but in church as well. They are what we commonly refer to as church people. She and her family attend every service. Victoria is very active in both the youth and evangelism departments. Because she is active, her children are as well.
Talking to Victoria, will reveal how proud she is of many things in her life but that the title of mother is the greatest. It is indeed one of her greatest blessings. Victoria recounts that the odds were against her when she gave birth to her now 16-year-old daughter, Heavenlyn, at the age of 21. She will tell you that giving birth to a daughter was indeed difficult but has been one of the greatest experiences of her life. Victoria was told that her life would be difficult, wearisome. She said the descriptions indicated that her life was “coming to an end.” She says in a sense it did as she stopped living solely for herself but for the betterment of her new bundle of joy. Victoria attended every church meeting or service that she was called to attend with a renewed focus on God and Heavenlyn.