And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what it is in my heart and mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. 1 Samuel 2:35 (ESV)
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Mission of UCCC
United Covenant Churches of Christ is made up of more than 20,000 members globally. The movement exists to build an innovative ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse organization through which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed. It promotes the growth of local churches and creates a resourceful and meaningful networking environment for pastors. Further, it emphasizes the need for and importance of theological and secular academics. UCCC is designing programs to foster higher learning in order to cultivate well-rounded clerical leadership world-wide. Most importantly, it seeks to develop "oneness" in the body of Christ based on biblically-sound teaching and the principles and culture of God.
Focus of UCCC
The MOVEMENT for the next program of God has UCCC stamped on the liturgy of God with a 21st century agenda.
United Covenant Churches of Christ is set to deliver programs that will ignite the flame of Christ beyond the pulpit and walls of the church building.
CTS is designed to shape aspirants and current presbyters into theologians of our season and to empower them to help propel the growth of their ministries and senior pastors. CTS will provide academic courses offered in the halls of the university as we chart the necessary steps for the development of our accredited school.
The challenges of our communities and districts require ministers to be fully equipped to address the social and political issues of our day. SJI will carve out a voice for the church that can speak to the social and economic needs of the disenfranchised individuals and families of our societies.
IAM will work hand-in-hand with SJI and expand the borders of the church to create housing, to build schools, and to clothe and feed the hungry and impoverished families in communities in poverty-stricken and underdeveloped areas in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean as we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
From Past to Present
This church had its humble beginnings in 1989, in Cleveland, Ohio, at 105th Street and Chester Avenue. The Pentecostal Church of Christ became the birthing place of this Reformation. Bishop J. Delano Ellis, II formed the Pentecostal Convocation. It was the coming together of independent churches for the purpose of prayer, praise, and the proclamation of the Word of God. May 1992, in a midnight prayer meeting, pastors from various denominations and backgrounds believed that God had called us together to form the United Pentecostal Churches of Christ. The Church was formally organized and in August 1993 its first bishops were consecrated and overseers were appointed to lead the church in its mission and vision to build pastors and churches.
In this season, we celebrate a turning point in the life and ministry of United. It is a season of Fresh Fire, Fresh Vision, and Fresh Faith! Moses has brought us out, and now Joshua will take us in into a place of promise, expansion, growth, and development! The bishops, overseers, pastors, and congregations of United are excited about the opportunities, possibilities and promises that are before us. Bishop Eric D. Garnes has written the vision, made it plain - we can read it, we can understand it, and we can run with it. Bishop Garnes and the Assistant Presiding Prelate, Bishop Sheldon McCarter, are our 21st Century Caleb and Joshua - ". . . Lets go up and take the land - now. We can do it." (Num 13:30, The Message). This is the generation that will possess and occupy the land the Lord has already given us.
The Church is indeed United in prayer, in praise, and in the proclamation of the Word of God. We are United in our spiritual and financial support of the Presiding Bishop and the Apostolic See. We are United in our mission and vision to bring Fresh Fire, Fresh Vision and Fresh Faith to this Reformation. Ultimately, we are United in the cause of Calvary in leading men and women to Jesus, the Christ.
Job 8:7 - " Though our beginning was small, yet our latter end would increase abundantly. "
Advantages of Membership
•UCCC is a reputable reformation with the recognition and respect of many other mainstream organizations.
•UCCC offers workshops for its pastors and leaders.
•UCCC will assist United States-based churches with obtaining 501(c) 3 designation from the IRS.
•UCCC seeks to expose ministries to the larger Christian community through networking and marketing.
•UCCC is comprised of entrepreneurs that are capable of training leaders to operate businesses that build the church and its surrounding communities.
•UCCC is comprised of United States military certified chaplains who are qualified to endorse pastors who desire to establish a chaplaincy ministry.
•UCCC is committed to building bridges between grassroots and mega churches to foster mentoring and community growth and development.
•UCCC provides an atmosphere wherein pastors can receive confidential counseling, support, and clinical referrals.
For Membership Information
Write to: Secretary General
United Covenant Churches of Christ
1274 Utica Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11203
Call: 1-877-97-UNITY
Fax: 1-718-451-5524
Email: secretarygeneral_unitedcovenantchurches.com
UCCC app form (web).pdf
2009 Church Brochure.pdf
Bishop Eric Daniel Garnes received Christ at the young age of eleven. Growing up in a Christian home he learned how to worship and praise God from a young and tender beginning. He is the living epitome of the scripture, Train up the child in the way he should grow so when he is old he will not depart. Proverbs 22:6
Bishop Garnes is a visionary who has achieved a number of goals. He is a graduate of the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services where he received the Thomas M. Quinn Outstanding Achievement Award and became a Licensed Funeral Director in the State of New York; he is also a Certified Bereavement Counselor.
Bishop Garnes works with his family as the Corporate Secretary/Treasurer of the Frank R. Bell Funeral Home, Inc. where they inter more than 600 persons annually. Bishop Garnes is honored to have been the recipient of numerous other awards including the James Madison Scholastic Award for Professionalism and Communication Enrichment and of the City of New York Community Developers Award.
He completed his undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Arts at the College of New Rochelle, New York Theological Seminary Division. Bishop Garnes completed two graduate studies programs with a Masters of Divinity Degree from the International Theological Seminary, and a second discipline with a Masters in Professional Studies degree with a concentration in Urban Theology & Leadership from Alliance Theological Seminary. Bishop Garnes earned his Doctorate of Ministry degree from Drew University and completed his academic requirements as a Hilliard Fellow designed to develop special academicians and scholars in church renewal. Presently, Bishop Garnes is an Adjunct Professor at Alliance Theological Seminary in the Graduate School of Nyack College.
The succession and growth of this man of God is listed in great magnitude as he is the former and first President of the Pentecostal Youth Congress, Adjutant-General, and Chairman of Holy Convocation Affairs of the United Covenant Churches of Christ (UCCC). Bishop Garnes has progressed steadily up the steps of the Episcopacy towards the office he now holds as Presiding Bishop and General Overseer of the United Covenant Churches of Christ whose churches are comprised of more than 20,000 members globally. The movement exists to build an innovative ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse organization through which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed. It seeks to promote the growth of local churches and to create a resourceful and meaningful networking environment for pastors. Further, under Bishop Garnes leadership, it emphasizes the need for and importance of theological and secular academics. UCCC is designing programs to foster higher learning in order to cultivate well-rounded clerical leadership world-wide. Finally, and most importantly, Bishop Garnes vision is to develop oneness in the body of Christ based on biblically sound teaching and the principles and culture of God.
Locally, Bishop Garnes serves as an official member of the Community Board 17 delegates and is a Police/Clergy Liaison for the 67th Precinct of the NYPD. Nationally and abroad he is a board member of T.D. Jakes PHIPA (Pastoral Alliance); he sits on the board of Myler Church Building Systems, Inc.; Bishop Garnes is the Deputy Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Joint College of African-American Bishops with his father in the Gospel, Archbishop-Metropolitan J. Delano Ellis, II; and he is the Episcopal Consultant to the Covenant Ecumenical Fellowship & Cathedral Assemblies, Inc. and the Christian Ecumenical Covenant Fellowship, Inc.
This anointed man of God is the Senior Pastor of Tabernacle of Praise (Cathedral), located in Brooklyn, New Yorka church where the Spirit of God fills the templeand it is growing by leaps and bounds. His goal and aspiration is to change the face of Utica Avenue, transforming it into an earthly empyrean. Bishop Garnes is married to a virtuous woman in the Lord, Lady Delicia Garnes, Ph.D. Lady Garnes assists him diligently in the uplifting of the ministry as the Church Administrator and is a Associate Dean of Information Technology at the Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University. Bishop and Lady Garnes are the proud parents of two children, Darian Daniel Rene Garnes, his son, and a daughter, Bryanna A'Delicia Garnes.
Saints,
As we embark on this great move of God in the twenty-first century, we have been marked for a destiny beyond imagination. UCCC has always been known for its spirit-filled liturgical worship, family-oriented development, progressive Youth Congress, and strong theological conviction and preaching. The tone for this Zion has long been established with the garments of dignity, honor, and admirable excellence. We are a people of praise who lift up the Christos with the expectation of drawing all persons to the Kingdom of God.
By the grace of God, not only have I been given the opportunity to receive the shepherd’s staff and guide the flock, but the privilege of leading the body of Christ to a new dimension in this circle of covenant believers. Embracing the seat of my father in the ministry is an honor unto itself as I carry the distinction of Episcopacy that will grant the governing body of this church an opportunity to spread its wings into a global experience. UCCC shall organize to march for social justice, and have a greater impact on diverse communities. UCCC will meet with government officials to have a voice in the streets of our nations. UCCC will create an atmosphere for higher levels of education for our preachers and lay persons to assure sound theological exegetical practices and delivery. We will develop financial freedom, blessing our churches spiritually and financially. We shall be business-minded Kingdom people for the days ahead.
I salute you and pledge my service toward a Holy Spirit-filled, biblically-guided, business-minded leadership. I grant you my heart to shepherd you as Christ would shepherd His flock, with love, compassion and humility.
Your shepherd in Christ,
Bishop Eric D. Garnes, D.Min., MPS
Bishop Sheldon M. McCarter
Assistant Presiding Bishop
Presiding Prelate and General Overseer
Bishop James R. Chambers Secreatary General
Bishop Glenn E. Livingston
General Treasurer
Bishop Jacquelyn D. Rawls-Gordon
Board Member
