The Rev. Johnsie Cogman is a survivor. She has battled breast cancer and buried two children — experiences that she says have formed her strong faith in an unshakable God. She shares that faith with two congregations every Sunday: Bell’s United Methodist Church in Camp Springs and Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Georgetown, a black congregation founded in 1816. She lives in Accokeek with her husband and two sons. She spoke with The Washington Examiner about her ministry and one of her role models, Martin Luther King Jr., whose memorial opened on the National Mall this week. Do you consider yourself to be of a specific faith?
I am a first, foremost, final and forever, a Christian. I appreciate that I have a role model, Jesus Christ, who teaches me to love everyone unconditionally, forgive as I am forgiven and to serve without expectation of anything in return.
Your Mount Zion congregation formed after black churchgoers were dissatisfied with being segregated in a white church. Given that historical background, what has the opening of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial meant for your congregation?
Our congregation has traveled through and withstood the test of time. We are a loving congregation. Our church doors swing open wide welcoming men, women and children of all ages, races and cultures. Many will drive by the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on their way to worship at Mount Zion. That memorial will be a visible reminder of our history, an encouragement of our present and confirmation of our future.
Do you think blacks still face inequalities today? If so, what are they and how do we address them?
Yes. I don’t want to identify specific racial inequalities because they are many; they are in our communities, on our jobs, in our government, in our schools and yes, even in our religious institutions. Blacks are not the only ones who suffer inequitably. We can address inequalities by following the example of Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for everyone and taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves.
As a black minister, how has the story of Martin Luther King Jr. resonated with you personally?
I was 7 years old when I heard the news of Dr. King’s death. Even at that age, it was devastating; however, learning more and more about him and his nonviolent work has enhanced my life. My twin sons learned the entire “I Have a Dream” speech at the age of 8 and recited it in schools and churches. While in the military, I met several people who knew Dr. King personally, marched and traveled with him. I was fortunate to hear firsthand personal stories of Dr. King which encourage me still today. While earning my master’s of divinity from Howard University, I was exposed to a range of Dr. King’s writings. The letters Dr. King wrote from jail continue to give me strength to endure things that are happening in the world today. I remain inspired by Dr. King’s consistent emphasis on freedom, justice and unconditional love for all, and these themes are hallmarks of my own ministry today.
What people or events in your life most influenced your faith?
Through my mother and grandmother I was introduced to church at a very young age, and became involved in a number of church activities and ministries as a youth. But the death of my 3-year-old son when I was a young adult led me to a crisis of faith, which ultimately confirmed for me the reality of God’s love and the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve survived a lot of tragedies, and through each one my faith was strengthened. When you lose a child, when you feel you’ve lost everything, you feel you have your faith only to stand on. Because of that I can tell people: ‘Whatever you go through, it’s going to be OK; it’s going to be all right.’ Whether it’s an earthquake or a hurricane, it’s going to be all right. One of my favorite sayings is ‘This too shall pass.’
At your core, what is one of your defining beliefs?
I believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ as reported in the gospel of Mark, Chapter 12: 29-31, “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
Question?
Answer to quest
– Liz Essley
