Our History
God's Church International C.O.G.I.C. is a religious organization with a powerful and meaningful name, dedicated to serving the community and spreading the message of faith and spirituality. Our church has a rich history that we are proud to share with our community. Our journey began with a small group of believers who were committed to finding a spiritual sanctuary where they could worship and seek guidance. Over the years, we have grown and evolved, but our commitment to serving God and our community has remained steadfast.
God’s Church International emerged over two decades ago when God entrusted our Founding Pastor, Supt. Earl V. Short, with a divine charge while residing in New Orleans, LA. The vision unfolded during Pastor Short's fervent prayer, where God revealed a multitude and instructed him to convey the message: "Tell my people to give me their life as Christ gave His life for them."
This vision remained latent as Pastor Short continued to grow spiritually. It was through God's providence that Pastor Short was endowed with an anointing to serve. Hurricane Katrina served as a catalyst, prompting Pastor Short to relocate to the Houston area, where he reconnected with his mentors, Bishop Charles E. Brown I, and served diligently as their special assistant and youth pastor at Full Gospel Church for a decade. Subsequently, he led Bible studies at Williams Temple for eight years and served as the executive pastor at New Beginning COGIC for three years alongside Pastors Alfred and Mae Scott in LaPorte, TX.
God's Church held its inaugural Bible study six months before its official launch, gathering at the home of a devout member who insisted on providing a sanctified space. The Kingdom Planting Service took place on March 28th, 2014, at Full Gospel COGIC, marking the official commencement of God’s Church International COGIC, with Pastor Short delivering a powerful sermon titled "THE ANOINTING MAKES THE DIFFERENCE."
Since its inception, GCI has impacted thousands of lives, leading many to Christ. Our church is deeply rooted in community outreach and committed to sound biblical teaching, emphasizing the relevance of God's people in today's world.
When our church building on 4310 Mallow St. was devastated by Winter Storm URI on February 15, 2022, it presented a significant challenge. However, guided by the Holy Spirit, our Pastor embraced God's plan, continuing to minister through online platforms until the opportunity for in-person worship arose as the pandemic waned. Today, we stand in our new sanctuary, embodying divine purpose and giving glory to God.
Our mission is to empower the people of God through discipleship, enhanced biblical study, ministry training, and sanctification, ensuring each believer is filled with the Holy Ghost. We also prioritize economic development, and financial education, and strive to equip believers as active participants in the Kingdom of God.
Embracing the call to nurture the next generation of worshippers, we are committed to saving souls and ministering to the lost. As our pastors affirm: "God is in control; let Him have His way every day."