01/12/2026
The Office of the Presiding Bishop is pleased to announce that Bishop J. Drew Sheard, presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., will serve as the guest minister for the Thursday evening service of the 103rd International Assembly, to be held July 15–19, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.
Bishop Sheard is widely respected across the global Pentecostal and evangelical community for his leadership, biblical preaching, and visionary stewardship. Elected Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ in 2021, he currently leads one of the world’s largest Pentecostal denominations, guiding millions of believers across the United States and around the globe.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Bishop John Henry Sheard and Mother Willie Mae Sheard, Bishop Sheard sensed his call to ministry at an early age and has faithfully served the church for decades. He holds both a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education in Mathematics from Wayne State University, bringing both spiritual depth and academic excellence to his leadership. He began his pastoral ministry in 1988 at Great Emmanuel Church, where his passion for teaching, discipleship, and outreach took root.
Throughout his ministry, Bishop Sheard has served with distinction in numerous leadership roles within the Church of God in Christ, including as International Youth Department President, Vice Chairman, and Chairman of the Auxiliaries in Ministry (AIM) Convention, before being elevated to the office of Jurisdictional Bishop in 2010 and later to the COGIC Presidium.
We look forward with great anticipation to this year's International Assembly as leaders and members from around the world gather in Orlando for a powerful week of worship, testimony, and renewal. More information comign soon to cogop.org.