By James Goodman - Staff writer
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle John Roberts Jr. returned to Orlando on Sunday, having spent five days in Rochester attending the Church of God by Faith's National Sunday School and Willing Workers Club convention. The convention drew more than 2,000 people about two-thirds from Southern states for five days of workshops and Pentecostal religious services at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. "It was very inspirational the music, the preaching," said Roberts, who attended with his parents. Cleo Reid of Gainesville, Fla., said much the same emerging from the convention feeling energized. "I am not going to do anything differently, but I feel more enthused about the goodness of the Lord," Reid said. The Church of God by Faith, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is Pentecostal, with about 200 member churches, mostly in the South but with about 10 congregations in western New York, including three in Rochester. Members of the Church of God by Faith network of churches gather a couple of times a year for conventions, and were last in Rochester in 1974. Many of the workshops focused on how to become more active members of this faith, but they also addressed social issues. "We give special attention to the downtrodden," said Elder Cleve E. Roberts Jr., who is from Miami and was director of the convention. Willie J. Lightfoot, a Monroe County legislator, is a member of the Greater Adams Street Church of God by Faith in Rochester. "This is spiritual food," Lightfoot said, as he entered the Riverside Convention for Sunday wrap-up worship services. With about 600 attending Sunday's session, a praise team of seven sang such spirituals as "Send It All Down" and "Because He Lives." Bishop James E. McKnight Sr., who is leader of the Church of God by Faith, delivered the sermon, urging members not to be complacent in their mission. "It is time for us to put an investment in God's business. God invested a lot in us," McKnight said. Copyright (c) Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. All rights reserved. | Announcements Join us on KSYB 1300am Shreveport, LA 8:30 am PST www.amistadradiogroup.com 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Ground was broken for the new administrative office complex on Friday, November 11. The new complex will be located in the 2400 block of Old Middleburg Road. Presiding Bishop McKnight told a crowd of nearly fifty people that the ceremony was taking place very near the exact spot the first COGBF used to sit. "Somehow, we lost this property but thank God we have gotten it back, "Bishop reminisced. Those in attendance included, district superintendents and their wives, national finance committee members, a special guest, Mia Jones, Jacksonville City Councilwoman for District 10, Deacon Robert Benjamin, who handled the rezoning process for the church, pastors from the Jacksonville District and other subordinate churches, and many neighbors and friends from the Sweetwater Community. This was indeed a historic occasion. Members of Church of God by Faith, Inc. throughout the United States can pledge or make a financial donation to help complete this worthwhile project. Make checks payable to Church of God by Faith, Inc. Don't forget to note on your check that the donation is for the office complex. Mail donations to the national headquarters at:
Church of God by Faith, Inc.
1315 Lane Avenue S.
Suite #6
Jacksonville, FL 32205 
| Executive Council Members break ground on new office complex. Far left, Ruling Elders James E. McKnight, Jr., David Rourk, Sr., Bishop James E. McKnight, Sr., John Robinson Jr., and Horace N. Turner, Sr. |
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