TITLE: Recognizing John Drew Sheard for hosting the 2023 National Leadership Conference of the Church of God in Christ.

SUMMARY: Recognizing John Drew Sheard for hosting the 2023 National Leadership Conference of the Church of God in Christ.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Bishop John Drew Sheard, who is hosting the National Leadership Conference at the Church Of God In Christ in Dallas on January 16 through 19, 2023; and WHEREAS, The National Leadership Conference provides an opportunity for members of the Church Of God In Christ to come together from all over the state to honor their leaders, invest in their faith, and learn the value of discipleship; and WHEREAS, The Church Of God In Christ was founded in 1907 by Bishop Charles Harrison Mason; Mason inherited his faith from his parents, Jerry and Eliza Mason, who were members of a missionary Baptist church in Memphis, Tennessee, during the era of slavery; since its existence, the church has evangelized to diverse nations and has more than 6.5 million members globally, with congregations in 63 countries; and WHEREAS, Bishop J. Drew Sheard is the international bishop and chief apostle of the church, the largest African American Pentecostal denomination in the Holiness-Pentecostal tradition in the United States; a beloved shepherd to his church, Bishop Sheard was elected to the general board in 2012; he was reelected to the board in 2016 and 2021 and was subsequently elected as chief apostle to the Office of the Presiding Bishop; and WHEREAS, Under Bishop Sheard's outstanding leadership, the church has provided enlightenment, hope, and support to innumerable Christians; a blessing to his family and a pillar to his community, Bishop Sheard is a man of spiritual depth and devotion; it is truly fitting that he receive honor for his lifetime of dedicated ministry; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby congratulate Bishop J. Drew Sheard for hosting the 2023 National Leadership Conference of the Church Of God In Christ; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. West President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 28, 2023.