Bishop Brandon B. Porter formally announced his candidacy Tuesday morning for the General Board of Bishops of the Church of God in Christ.

Porter, pastor of Greater Community Temple COGIC in Hickory Hill, is attempting to become the first Memphis-area member of the denomination’s leadership board since the 2007 death of Presiding Bishop G.E. Patterson.

Porter hopes his presence on the board will give Memphis more support in its efforts to recapture COGIC’s annual Holy Convocation, which moved to St. Louis in 2010.

COGIC’s General Assembly will elect a new board of bishops after next month’s convocation.