ABOUT

 

Welcome to Cathedral of Praise International Ministries

We are a church committed to a ministry of reconciliation. We want to aid you in reclaiming your relationship with the Lord. As a church family, we work to restore spiritual relationships by assisting the poor, healing the hurting, and setting free the oppressed. We focus on people, not on programs, and try our best to show unconditional love to all.

You are invited to visit us and experience the Christ-like love. We are certain that you will leave feeling better than you did upon your arrival. COPIM is a place where you can “Come as you are” and “Leave as you want to be!” We can hardly wait to meet you.

SERVICE TIMES

Sunday

Live Virtual Service

8:00 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Wednesday

Live Virtual Bible Study

12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Communion

Stay Tuned...

 

THE VISION

The vision of Cathedral of Praise International Ministries was started by our founder, Jesus the Christ, and recorded in Luke 4:18-19. This is a ministry of reconciliation ordained to assist the poor, to heal the hurting, to deliver the captive, to restore sagacity to the spiritually blind, to set free the oppressed, and to preach and teach the truth of the Gospel.

We have been commissioned to focus on people rather than programs, to create a spiritual atmosphere where true worshippers can praise Him in the freedom of the Spirit, and to break down the walls of tradition that make the Word of God of none effect. We are commanded to edify the people of God by demonstrating unconditional love, by developing a community of believers who give of themselves so that no one is lacking anything, and by sowing the Word of God in our lives that a harvest of spiritual fruit might blossom forth.

COPIM is a Non-denominational Christian Church. Our spiritual covering is provided by Bishop Neil C. Ellis, Nassau, Bahamas. We consider it a privilege that you have taken time to discover who we are and sincerely hope you receive a blessing from this experience.

WE BELIEVE

  • The Bible is the inspired, infallible and authoritative written Word of God.
  • There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.
  • In the deity of our Lord Jesus, the Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His personal future return to this earth in power and glory to rule a thousand years.
  • In the blessed hope – the rapture of the church at Christ’s coming.
  • The only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ.
  • Regeneration by the Holy Ghost is essential for personal salvation.
  • In water Baptism by immersion.
  • In the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life.
  • In the resurrection of the saved that the lost, one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting damnation.
  • In a literal Heaven where the righteous will enjoy everlasting life and bliss in the presence of the Lord.
  • In a literal Hell, a place of everlasting punishment and suffering, which will be the future abode of the wicked.

Some "Why's" of Worship

Why do we clap our hands? The Spirit fills us with joy and thanksgiving: “O clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.” Psalms 47:1

Why do we lift up our hands? We know that He cleanses us and makes us holy. “Thus I will bless thee while I live; I will lift up my hands in thy name.” Psalms 63:4 “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord.” Psalms 134:2 “O desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” I Timothy 2:8

Why do we have audible praise unto God? “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless his holy name.” Psalms 103:1

OUR PASTOR

Bishop Craig W. Johnson, Th.D.

Bishop Craig W. Johnson is a native Californian born in Riverside. After graduating high school, Bishop Johnson attended California Baptist University where he received a BA in Religion and a BA in Behavioral Science. He continued his education studying Social Work and Public Administration at Cal State San Bernardino and Sacred Literature at Trinity Theological Seminary. In 1999, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Pentecostal Bible College. In 2000, he received an earned Doctorate of Theology from Pentecostal Bible College. In 2011 Bishop Johnson received an Honorary Doctorate along with the Father of Faith Award from Next Dimension Bible College.

Bishop Johnson has held many secular positions including that of Peer Group Counselor, Probation Group Counselor, Employment Services Counselor, Social Service Worker, Independent Living Skills Program Coordinator, Service Program Specialist, and Social Services Supervisor.

Bishop Johnson previously served as the Chairman of the Southern Counties Independent Living Skills Network (covering counties from Santa Barbara to San Diego). He formerly held the positions of Chair of the Family Preservation and Support Planning Body of Riverside County and Vice President of the Advisory Board of the Black Infant Health Program. He was nominated to the International Who’s Who of Professionals in 1998 and 2001. He was installed as Overseer of the Inland~Orange District of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship in October of 2000. On July 12, 2005, Bishop Johnson was consecrated to the holy office of Bishop by the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship and faithfully served as the Southern California State Bishop through January 2010. On March 4, 2006, the Riverside Chapter of the NAACP awarded Dr. Johnson the Drum Major Award for Religious Service. In 2007, Bishop Johnson was awarded Premier Membership to the Continental Who’s Who of Professionals and Executives. In February of 2012, Bishop Johnson was appointed as the International Bishop of Ministerial Alliance within the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship under Bishop Paul S. Morton and faithfully served through July of 2013. In March of 2014, Bishop Johnson was appointed as the Provincial Leader for the US West Coast for Global United Fellowship under Bishop Neil C. Ellis and was officially installed as such on November 11, 2014. On July 14, 2016, Bishop Johnson was elevated and installed as the Metropolitan Bishop for the Western Deanery. In this position, Bishop Johnson oversaw (3) Provincial Leaders and (18) states. In July 2017, Bishop Johnson was elevated to the position of Senior Metropolitan Bishop of America, Central America, and the Philippines.

Bishop Johnson is the Visionary of Cathedral Of Praise International Ministries (COPIM). COPIM was organized in April of 1995 with 17 members. In 24 years, the membership has grown to over 3500. Bishop Johnson has developed numerous ministries designed to meet the needs of the people. Along with the church, Bishop Johnson has developed Harvest of Praise Ministries, a ministry designed to bring people of all races, denominations, and creeds together.

Bishop Johnson is married to Demetria Johnson – “the missing piece to the puzzle of his life.” They have three beautiful daughters, Jasmine, Deborah and Tiara. He notes his hobbies as “Peace & Quiet”.