Banners

Point of Contact: Edna Riddick

COZ is quite deliberate in seeking to create a vibrant, Biblical and visual worship experience for those who attend our Services. Along with Dance Ministry, BANNERS were also used during Old Testament times to celebrate Jehovah God. Psalm 20:5 records “….and in the name of our God we will set up our BANNERS.” The Women of COZ therefore incorporate Banner Ministry along with our Dancers and Singers during our Worship Services. Auditions are conducted for participation in this ministry.

Children’s Church

Point of Contact: Sister Charyn Cade 

Children’s Church is committed to providing the Youth and Children of COZ with a substantive and meaningful Worship experience. Lessons and activities are prepared for our Youth and Children using age appropriate materials. This ministry takes place during Sunday Morning Worship Services.

Choirs

Point of Contact: Detra Battle and Niesha McGraw

Psalm 149 encourages Believers to “Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of the saints.” Our Praise & Worship Team, Children’s Choir and Youth Choir provide ample opportunities for those with the Gift of Exhortation and Ministry of Song. Our choirs lead the congregation “into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4). Auditions are conducted for this ministry.

Christian Education

Point of Contact: Pastor Strong

COZ’s Christian Education Ministry is the teaching arm of our church that has replaced the wonderful tradition of Sunday School. Through this ministry, Wednesday Night Bible classes along with other periodic and topical classes are provided for all ages. Systematic curriculums designed to edify disciples, and equip them for ministry to others, are used in all classes.

Culinary

Point of Contact: Minister Sheila Thompson

COZ is aware that one of the best ways to facilitate fellowship is through “breaking bread together.” The Culinary Ministry coordinates all meals that are served during various COZ functions and events. This ministry consists of cooks, servers, and hosts.

Dance

Point of Contact: Deaconess Lakisha Edwards

COZ is quite deliberate in seeking to create a vibrant, Biblical, worship experience for those who attend our Services. One of the reasons we are considered a “higher place of Praise,” is because of our Dance Ministry. In this ministry, women and children are given the opportunity to “praise His name with dancing” (Psalm 149:3), as a part of our Worship Services. Auditions are held for participation in this ministry. Dance groups: Daughters of Zion, Adult/Power with a Purpose, and Youth.

Evangelism/Missions

COZ’s Evangelism Team actively travels into the “highways and hedges” (Lk 14:23), spreading the Word about the ministries of our church. This includes activities like passing out tracts at a Metro Station, participating in the Luis Palau and Franklin Graham Crusades, as well as participating in the Prince George’s County’s Adopt-A-Road Program and Laurel’s Main Street Festival. In Matthew 28:19 Jesus also gave His church the mandate to go out and reach ALL NATIONS with the message of the gospel. COZ achieves this goal through our Missions team which has traveled as far away as New Orleans, LA and Thailand and as close as southern Maryland and Southeast DC. Find Out More >>

Free to Worship

Point of Contact: Lady Mineva Strong

In Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.” It is in this same spirit that the Free to Worship Ministry simultaneously allows parents the freedom to participate in COZ’s Sunday Morning Worship Service while also allowing their children ages 5 and under the freedom to play in a safe, secure and supervised environment.

Hospitality

Point of Contact: Antoinette Hawkins

In Romans 12:13, the Church is exhorted to “practice hospitality” to those who enter its doors. Through this ministry, Antoinette Hawkins and those who assist her, extends a warm and special welcome to all who participate in the many special events held at COZ. From mailing birthday cards, sending flowers during funerals, to distributing gifts on Mother’s and Father’s Days, our Hospitality Ministry is truly a ministry of Helps, and an extension of the love of Christ, to the Body of Christ.

Intercessors Ministry

Point of Contact: Carolyn Davis

Jesus boldly declared that “My House shall be called the House of PRAYER” (Matthew 21:13) and that “Men ought always to PRAY, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). Therefore one of our specific Prayer functions at COZ Church is Intercession which means “to approach or meet with the King to make a Petition” (I Timothy 2:1-5). This Ministry meets weekly to go before the Lord in Prayer with prayer requests from the congregation in addition to strategic and designated Prayer-Points that address the larger Body of Christ along with the Unsaved.

Marriage Fellowship

Point of Contact: Pastor and Lady Mineva Strong

Hebrews 13:4 teaches that “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure.” Adhering to the mandate in Hebrews 10:25, to “encourage one another,” COZ’s Marriage Fellowship meets to encourage, edify, and equip husbands and wives according to God’s Plan. Coming “together and having all things in common” (Acts 2:44), this ministry seeks to strengthen and encourage MARRIED COUPLES through fellowship and unity.

Men’s Fellowship

Point of Contact: Pastor Strong

Psalm 133 teaches us “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.” Adhering to the mandate in Hebrews 10:25, to “encourage one another,” COZ’s Men’s Fellowship meets monthly to encourage, edify, and equip men according to God’s Plan. Coming “together and having all things in common” (Acts 2:44), this ministry seeks to strengthen and encourage MEN through fellowship and unity.

New Disciples

In the Great Commission, Jesus instructed the Church to “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:18-20). Our New Disciples Ministry helps integrate new Believers into the COZ Church family; by introducing them to our Ministries, By-laws, Articles of Faith, and other pertinent information. This ministry also administers the Spiritual Gifts Inventory that helps every COZ disciple identify his/her Spiritual Gift(s).

Prison Ministry

Point of Contact: Sister Lynette Hawkins

In Matthew 25:31-46, we find Jesus judging the nations on His throne in Glory. One of the reasons He rewarded some was because He said, “I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:36 NIV). The goal of this ministry is to extend the love of Christ to those who are incarcerated through fellowship, mentoring, visits, and correspondence. COZ’s Prison Ministry provides Bible Study and mentoring to adolescent girls at the Thomas J.S. Waxter Children’s Center, in Laurel, MD.

Security Ministry

Point of Contact: Sam Hanna

Nehemiah 4:8-9 records “They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem (Zion) and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a GUARD day and night to meet this threat.” Aware that we are indeed living in “perilous times” (II Tim 3:1-5), the goal of the Security Ministry is to provide a safe, secure and intentional presence for all worshipers during COZ’s various ministry activities.

Senior’s Bible Study

Point of Contact: Ruth Pinder

Psalm 92:12-15 declares that “The righteous will flourish like the palm tree….Planted in the House of the Lord….They will still bear fruit in OLD AGE.”  Following the example listed in Acts 2:42-47, the Senior’s Bible Study meets to study the “Apostle’s Doctrine” along with sharing the “common” experience of being Senior Saints.  This ministry also comes together for the purpose of fellowship and edification through activities like exercising together, field trips and senior themed seminars.  Membership is open to all that are 55 and over.

SHARE

Point of Contact: Minister Sheila Thompson

SHARE (Self Help And Resource Exchange) is a non-profit community building network sponsored by Catholic Charities that provides wholesome and nutritious food to families and individuals at a reduced cost. Through COZ’s partnership with SHARE, we fulfil Jesus’ mandate to minister to, and feed the hungry. SHARE products are open to the community.

Turning Point

Point of Contact: Minister Sheila Thompson

Turning Point is a small group ministry that helps Believers to overcome life-controlling issues. By utilizing curriculums that provide focused discipleship, small groups provide support, compassionate conversation, and facilitators that help men and women “be made whole” (John 5:6). The Turning Point model of small group ministry has proven itself in churches all across the United States and other countries.

Social Media Ministry

Point of Contact: Lisa Brown

The Prophet Habakkuk wrote, “and the Lord answered me, and said, Write the Vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it” (Habakkuk 2:2 KJV).  The Social Media Ministry uses today’s most current technology to share the Gospel of Christ with an ever-evolving world.  The church Website along with platforms like Facebook and YouTube along with COZ’s Newsletter are now being used to “reach the masses, men of every birth.”  Turn to any of these tools for live and recorded broadcasts, inspiration, music, colorful pictures along with dates and times of various COZ events.

Ushers

COZ’s own “doorkeepers in the house of my God” (Psalm 84:10) are on the frontline of ensuring that our disciples and guests feel comfortable and welcome during various events at our church. Ensuring that things are conducted “decently and in order” (I Corinthians 14:40) during our various Services, the Ushers Ministry (which includes our Parking Lot Sentinels), is a great place for those with the Gift of Service.

Visitation Ministry

Point of Contact: Minister Yvette Gandy

Matthew 25:31-46 depicts Jesus judging the nations based on their service. One of the reasons some will be rewarded is because Jesus said, “I was sick and you looked after me.” The goal of the Visitation Ministry is to extend the love of Christ to those who are “sick and shut-in.” This is done through various acts of compassion, hospitality, and service to those who are not physically able to attend COZ due to sickness or disability. This ministry currently visits Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation Centers in Laurel, Maryland.

Women’s Ministry (WIP –Women In Pursuit)

Point of Contact: Lady Mineva Strong

Proverbs 31:10 asks the question, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Adhering to the mandate in Hebrews 10:25, to “encourage one another,” COZ’s Women’s Ministry meets monthly to encourage, edify, and equip women according to God’s Plan. Coming “together and having all things in common” (Acts 2:44), this ministry seeks to strengthen and encourage WOMEN through fellowship and unity.

Youth Fellowship

Point of Contact: Deacon John & Deaconess LaKisha Edwards

Ecclesiastes 12:1 (KJV) teaches us to “remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth.” Adhering to the mandate in Hebrews 10:25, to “encourage one another,” our Youth Fellowship meets once per month to encourage, edify, and equip our youth according to God’s Plan. The Youth Fellowship has two divisions. One consists of teenagers (ages 13 – 18 years old), and the other consists of children ages 12 and under. Coming “together and having all things in common” (Acts 2:44), this ministry seeks to strengthen and encourage our CHILDREN & TEENAGERS through fellowship and unity.