Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 3-26-21

Religious News Local
Promoted To Chief Petty Officer In U. S. Navy
The Church Of God In Christ Elects Bishop J. Drew Sheard As Its New Presiding Bishop
Memphis, TN – Bishop J. Drew Sheard has been elected as the new Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), the largest Pentecostal denomi- nation in the country.
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) General As- sembly, the legislative body of the denomination, has voted Bishop J. Drew Sheard of Detroit, Michigan as the leader of the world- wide organization.
Presiding Bishop Sheard says, “I am humbled and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve this extraordinary organization, the Church of God in Christ, as its new leader and Presid- ing Bishop.” He adds, “To be elected to serve as the Presid- ing Bishop for the Church in which I was born, raised, and have learned and served all my life, is a dream and desire that can only be fulfilled by God’s loving grace and guid- ance. The opportunity to serve such an extraordinary organization at our highest recognized level of priest- hood is beyond humbling. I am so grateful for the unpar-
COGIC’s New PRESIDING BISHOP J. DREW SHEARD
alleled support of my loving wife, Karen, who has served diligently alongside me in ministry, and for my chil- dren. I could never ade- quately honor or appreciate my parents for demonstrat- ing holiness by sheer exam- ple. With complete excitement and joy, I look forward to serving the Lord’s people.”
Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard was born on January 1, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan, to Bishop and Mrs. John Henry Sheard. After graduating
from high school, he matric- ulated to Wayne State Uni- versity, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Educa- tion, and a Master of Educa- tion degree in Mathematics. Bishop Sheard is a former mathematics teacher and has served as senior pastor of the Greater Emmanuel Institu- tional Church of God in Christ since 1988. He is the prelate of the Michigan North Central Jurisdiction, was a former Auxiliary In Ministries (AIM) Convention chairman, and International Youth Department president for COGIC.
Since 2012, he has served as a member of the General Board. Sheard is married to Mrs. Karen Clark- Sheard, a member of the legendary Grammy Award- winning group - The Clark Sisters - and is the father of Kierra and J. Drew, II. He has two grandchildren: Jacob and Kallie Drew.
Presiding Bishop Sheard has chosen Bishop Jerry W. Macklin and Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten, Sr. as his first and second assistant Presiding Bishops respectively.
The Installation for the Presiding Bishop, General Board members and General Officers will be held at a later date.
CHIEF PETTY OFFICER WARREN JOHNSON
...With his wife, Joshala Johnson and their 2 daughters, Mia and Laila Johnson.
On January 29, 2021, Warren Johnson was pro- moted to E-7, a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy. The promotion was held virtually with Navy Tal- ent Acquisition Group Miami. Chief Johnson par- ticipated from the Navy Re- cruiting Station, Brandon.
Chief Johnson was pinned to his new rank by his wife, Joshala Johnson, and two daughters, Mia and Laila Johnson. Also in at- tendance were his mother and step-father, Charlene and Jeff Lawrence.
Chief Johnson credits his success to his family and friends for their unwavering support during his career. He has deployed two times to the Mediterranean and Middle East. He is currently sta-
tioned locally for the next two years.
A Tampa native and 2009 graduate of Middleton High School, Chief Johnson joined the Navy in May, 2012.
Chief Petty Officer E-7 War- ren Johnson with his mother, Mrs. Charlene Lawrence.
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021