"And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them that they are the seed, which the LORD hath blessed." – Isaiah 61:9

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More than twenty-five years ago, New Community COGIC began in the living room of our home, and today, this ministry has grown to multiple locations across Maryland. Looking around, I see that while some members have moved on to other ministries, we continue to flourish and expand!

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I remember Mother Terry, lovingly known as the “drill sergeant,” who served as our church mother while we were in fellowship with Mason Temple in South Carolina. She was a teacher with a humor that lifted my spirit, and one of her most memorable sayings was simple but powerful: "Look at God." Her words have encouraged us and spoken our very existence into being. From that single source, many distinct ministries have emerged, all birthed over twenty years ago in the living room of our home.

Look at God!

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In 2006, Elder James Bell founded God's House of Refuge Church of God In Christ in Lexington Park. But we’re just getting started...  More "founders" will emerge (or have already arrived), and they too will be trained, equipped, and sent to do the Lord’s work. Truly, the Lord is blessing this ministry, and we must continue to pray: "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:38) As of 2025, 9 churches are proudly serving under the C.L. McCoy Memorial District.

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My sincere prayer is that as we establish these ministries, each pastor will embrace the same spirit of unity and help foster an atmosphere of praise in the hearts of God's people. I long for us to be the ones that the Father seeks. It's not enough to merely be a part of a ministry—everyone is doing that today. It's not enough to be a so-called "praiser" because that too is common. The Father is searching for those who will go deeper, those who will worship beyond outward appearances, worship in Spirit and in Truth.

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"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." – John 4:23-24

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May God continue to bless our district, as our true desire is to seek Him and Him alone, aligning with the mission and will He has for this district.