[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 48 (Thursday, March 22, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E420-E421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO BISHOP J. DREW SHEARD ON THE CELEBRATION OF HIS OUTSTANDING 
               LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2012

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Bishop J. Drew 
Sheard, Pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in 
Christ of Detroit, for his exceptional leadership in the great State of 
Michigan.
  A Detroit native and Wayne State University graduate, Bishop Sheard 
was called to the Ministry under the guidance of his father, Bishop 
John H. Sheard.
  He has worked diligently and dutifully in several positions in the 
Church on both the local and national level, including serving as choir 
director, and chairman of local and State youth departments.
  In addition to his Church Of God In Christ ministry, Bishop Sheard 
has served as Executive Director of the Michigan Chapter of the SCLC, 
and a Board Member of the Michigan Anti-Apartheid Council.
  He currently leads Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in 
Christ, one of the largest churches in the Church of God in Christ 
denomination.
  Exhibiting a genuine concern for our community's children and young 
adults, Bishop Sheard has initiated the Greater Emmanuel TV Ministry, 
annual Youth and Women Conferences, the Greater Emmanuel Men's Society 
(GEMS), as well as annual programs such as ``Sanctified Men in Black'' 
and ``Holy Women in Red.''

[[Page E421]]

  In December of 2002, Bishop Sheard received an honorary Doctor of 
Divinity degree by the St. Thomas Christian College. He is married to 
Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Karen Clark-Sheard and they have two 
children, Kierra Valencia and J. Drew, II.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in saluting and 
congratulating Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Pastor of Greater Emmanuel 
Institutional Church of God In Christ, on the celebration of his 
outstanding leadership in the great State of Michigan.

                          ____________________