Cleveland, TN—In a ceremony concluding in a powerful time of corporate prayer, the ribbon was cut on the Church of God International Offices (COGIO) Prayer Center and was formally opened.
A prayer center located on the campus of the COGIO originated in the heart of Church of God General Overseer Gary Lewis a year ago when he shared his desire to establish a space dedicated to prayer with the International Executive Council (IEC). Meeting during their September 2024 session, the Council voted unanimously to vacate a room built in 2004 especially for the Council. The action was followed by an anointing of the walls by Council members for the room’s future purpose.
This week the International Council met at the COGIO. This group differs from the IEC in that it includes representatives from the six regions of the world, such as Field Directors, World Missions leaders, and other representatives from the designated regions. At the adjournment of that meeting on September 23, 2025, the International Council was joined by the IEC at the prayer center for the dedication ceremony.
General Overseer Lewis welcomed the body of leaders, describing the year-long journey and the prayer encounters that have already taken place in the prayer center.
[1]General Overseer Gary Lewis and his wife, Lori, greet the delegation in attendance at the Prayer Center ribbon-cutting (click photo to enlarge)
“We are believing that this is going to be a place where God’s presence is felt,” Lewis told the leaders who had just adjourned. “This dedication is about our church’s (prayer) position with Him and the presence of God in all we do. Business without His presence means nothing; but the presence of God changes everything.”
The dedication ceremony included readings of six scripture passages on prayer and a dedicatory prayer by Ishmael Charles, Field Director of the Caribbean and a member of both the International and Executive Councils. Members of the Executive Committee described the significance of the features of the room and Lewis thanked the many people who worked to make the center a reality. The conclusion of the event was a ceremonial snipping of the ribbon, followed by a time of spontaneous prayer by the participants. Joining the concluding prayer experience were more than 100 from around the globe via Zoom, portrayed on the large LED screen that dominates the room.
To the left of the prayer center entrance are six panels designed to inform visitors of the global presence of the Church of God and call to prayer for the six primary regions where the Church of God has a presence through congregations, schools, or house churches. To the right of the entrance are two panels that remind visitors of the importance prayer has played in the Church of God since its founding, in the present day, and into the future.
Features of the room include a large panel that replicates a section of the Wailing Wall, also known as the Western Wall, which is a sacred Jewish site in Jerusalem. Visitors are invited to use provided paper to leave a prayer request in the slot of a podium, or in the crevices as is done at the wall in Jerusalem. Prayer requests will be removed periodically and passed to the PrayerBorne ministry and eventually to the Wall in Jerusalem.
In addition to the wall, visitors are also encouraged to proclaim their testimonies and praise reports through written messages on a designated marker board.
[2]Participants lay hands on the Wailing Wall replica in the prayer center (click photo to enlarge)
In a corner of the prayer center is a large display of stained glass, commissioned and built earlier this year specifically for the prayer center. It features a prominent rendition of the Church of God logo and stands as a symbol of one of the most enduring symbols of churches around the globe to create an atmosphere of prayer and reverence.
On the opposite corner is a free-standing globe, a gift from the Church of God Publishing House when the International Offices relocated to its current site in 1968. This same globe has been a symbol to millions as it has appeared in numerous televised and streamed global prayer events and was the centerpiece of the Executive Council chambers when it occupied the room.
Should they be moved to do so, visitors to the prayer center can participate in Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper through use of provided portable elements and scriptural prompts at a station in the room.
In the center of the prayer center is an electronic touch-screen information table that was specially built for the prayer center and programmed with exclusive content about Church of God colleges, seminaries, and country statistics providing prayer points for visitors. The table ties in with the exclusively designed carpeting throughout the prayer center.
The Church of God International Offices Prayer Center will be open for visitors anytime during regular business hours, with special event gatherings available through prior arrangements. While most of the renovations required to equip the room have been funded, donations are still being accepted to complete the campaign to establish the prayer center. Please click here [3] to partner.