Bishop J. Drew Sheard

Bishop John Drew Sheard was born on January 1, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan, to Bishop and Mrs. John Henry Sheard. He matriculated at Wayne State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, and a Master of Education degree in Mathematics. He was saved at a young age under the pastorate of the late Bishop John Seth Bailey, and later acknowledged his call to the ministry under the guidance of his father. He worked diligently in several positions in the church locally and nationally including serving as choir director, Chairman of both local and state youth departments, as National Adjutant Overseer, Executive Secretary of the International Youth Department, and in various civic capacities including Executive Director of the Michigan Chapter of the SCLC, and as a board member of the Michigan Anti-Apartheid Council.

Bishop Sheard’s visionary leadership provoked phenomenal growth and the implementation of innovative programs in both his local church and the International church. During his tenure as International Youth Department President for the Churches of God in Christ, the national youth department instituted many youth programs including the formation of the “Peersuaders,” Young Women of Excellence – “YWE,” Young Men of Valor – “YMV,” the Young Excited and Saved Club – “YES” Club, and the implementation of area rallies leading up to the annual Music & Youth –“MY” convention. He was also the founder of the C. D. Owens Scholarship that assisted gifted and aspiring students entering college with some of their many expenses. While Chairman of the “AIM” Convention, he helped boost that convention’s attendance and fiscal accountability.

Bishop Sheard’s ideas have propelled him to the forefront of both the civic and religious community, and have gained him recognition as a “bridge builder” to other denominations. Currently, he serves as a member of the Presidium of the Church of God in Christ, Jurisdictional Bishop of the Michigan- North Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, and as the Senior Pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit, MI. In 2004, Bishop Sheard received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree, and in 2007 was inducted into the prestigious Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers.

In 2009, Bishop Sheard and his wife, Karen Clark-Sheard, founded Karew Records, a faith-based record label focusing on various forms of Gospel, Christian and Inspirational music. Bishop Sheard’s accomplishments, coupled with his abundant love and unfeigned devotion to God and the church, instills within his members the confidence that he is a leader capable of taking them to the next level of Ministry.

Bishop Sheard is married to Evg. Karen Clark Sheard and has two children, Kierra Valencia and J. Drew, II. He is the proud grandfather of 2.