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In 1963, riding along, after the
National Quadrennial Religious Congress, the late Mother Esther Bernice
Harris, who was Sister E. B. Coleman at the time, pondered about the
growth of the entire Triumph Church. She began to express and share a
revelation that God had given her with Bishop D. H. Harris, who later
would become her husband, and his staff who were with her at the time.
She saw three National Departments coming together for a one week
convention. At the time, the national departments consisted of the
Youth, Music, and Advanced School of Wisdom. Bishop Harris soon asked
the question, “What would you call this session?” Immediately several
suggestions were rendered by Reverend Clinton LeVert, Sis. Coleman and
others. After much deep thought Sister Coleman suggested that this
convention should be called Chautauqua. She began to explain that the
etymology of Chautauqua was an Indian word, which refers to seminars and
assemblies integrated for education, songs, lectures, spiritual and
recreational purposes.
In 1964, in Washington, D.C., the
first Chautauqua of many to come was birthed. The Evangelistic
Department was added to this prestigious convention in 1972, in Miami,
Florida.
This convention, which convenes
every two years, has become one of the greatest assemblies of people
ever. The power and explosion of God’s Holy Spirit is demonstrated on a
level unlike any other. Since the conception of Chautauqua, many youth
have been afforded the opportunity to receive educational scholarships.
Institutions of higher learning have been established, renowned speakers
and businessmen have been invited, and workshops, seminars and forums
have been conducted. There have been several gospel groups, choirs,
soloists, and religious entertainers who have blessed Chautauqua
services abundantly.
The Chautauqua has traveled to many locations throughout
the United States.
They include the following:
1966 Miami, FL 1968
Pittsburgh, PA 1970 Los Angeles, CA 1972 Miami, FL
1974 Dallas, TX 1976
Buffalo, NY 1978 Southfield, MI 1980 St. Louis,
MO
1982 Miami Beach, FL 1984
Flint, MI 1986 New Orleans, LA 1988 Oakland,
CA
1990 Tampa, FL 1992
Atlanta, GA 1994 Irving, TX 1996 Cherry Hill,
NJ
1998 Charlotte, NC 2000
Indianapolis, IN 2002 Orlando, FL 2004 Los Angeles, CA
2006 Cincinnati, OH
2008 Houston, TX
Thankfully, Mother Harris allowed
God to use her to conceive and bring to fruition such an extraordinary
idea that has touched the lives of so many. She was truly thinking
ahead and she blazed a trail that will last unto eternity.
The members of
Triumph The Church And Kingdom Of God In Christ thank God for the vision
Mother Esther Bernice Coleman Harris. May God continue to bless the
National Chautauqua convention to prosper, grow and be a blessing is our
prayer. |
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