CENTRIC MAGAZINE | PREMIER EDITION

SPRING 2011 | 03

Hello Friends and Partners. We are in the midst of creating a new and exciting way of communicating the message of God’s love to the world around us.

Many of you know that I have a vision that includes the use of innovative Visionary Director Bishop J. Drew Sheard North Central Jurisdiction

ways to advance the work of the Kingdom. Utilizing and promoting Centric Magazine is a way to realize a part of that vision.

Over the past 35 years, North Central Jurisdiction has become an © 2011 Centric Magazine All Rights Reserved Worldwide The title and all material within are protected by international copyright laws and are reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the publisher’s permission. Although the greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine at the time of going to press, neither the publisher nor FIFTHKING MEDIA can be held liable for omissions, inexactness or errors.

organization which has had a global impact. Under the leadership of the Honorable Bishop H. J. Williams, the jurisdiction has grown from a fellowship of a few churches, to a thriving organization of 40+ churches.

By latest statistics, there are approximately 600 COGIC churches in the state of Michigan, which means that North Central accounts for nearly 7.5% of these churches, and we are growing! Centric Magazine presents an opportunity for us to reach more churches, businesses, organizations, and people who share our common goals.

Published on behalf of NCJ by FIFTHKING MEDIA 625 S. Grand Traverse Flint, MI 48502 Tel: 810.515.7723 www.fifthking.com

Friends and Partners, thank you for helping to make Centric Magazine a reality and I personally look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.

Blessings, Bishop J. Drew Sheard Visionary Director Centric Magazine

SPRING 2011 | 05

With great honor and gratitude I am Editorial Director Dr. J.D. Lee

thrilled to help introduce to you one of the most innovative opportunities of this era.

Contributing Writers Bishop Charles E. Blake Renetta J. Cochran Robert Coleman

I truly believe that Centric Magazine is the best thing to come along in quite a while! And with the visionary leadership of Bishop J. Drew Sheard, we are ready to release Centric Magazine to the general public.

Dr. J.D. Lee As we continue to produce Centric Magazine, our readers will have online Communications Regina O’Rear Renetta J. Cochran

access to our digital publications, supplementary content that may not be included in print publications, archives of past issues, and opportunities to advertise in both print and digital editions as well. Additionally, readers can engage with columnists by commenting on articles.

Account Executives Lydia J. Simon

All of our digital publications will feature interactive graphics, media and

Amanda Hairston

social network sharing capabilities as well. And as an added bonus, our

Robert Allen

Photography

digital publications will remain free of charge.

Thank you for helping to make this vision a reality!

Grace Sauve’ Gwen Turner Juarez At Large Photography Mike Brown

Sincerely, Dr. J.D. Lee Editorial Director Centric Magazine

Creative/Graphic Design Jared Lipinski Caleb Price The FifthKing Team

SPRING 2011 | 07

You don’t have to be a genius to know good people when you meet them, so when you have the opportunity to share some time with Jerry and Cherry Givens, you can gather right from the start that it just doesn’t get any better than this!

Centric Magazine had the chance to chat with them as they shared ways to keep the love alive and the fire burning in your relationships!

We are sitting in the living room, at the home of Pastor Jerry and First Lady Cherry Givens, listening to Jerry talk about the man who raised him, cared for him and showed him just about everything he knows about being a real man. It is an interesting moment because although Jerry is quite the smooth and debonair young man, he has an intense look on his face as he shares some of his life’s most intimate moments with us.

In recollecting some of the things he heard as a young man he recalls, “My dad called my mother ‘Honey’ and used to tell her, I want you to stay home and look pretty, I want you to take care of the children, and make sure that while I’m away, they have one of us here at home.” He then went on to say that “While she was there, we saw in her the epitome of a woman.”

And for those of you who don’t know who his father is, he is the legendary Purvis Givens, Founder and establishmentarian of the Prayer Garden COGIC. And his mother is the lovely, Mother Ruth Givens. Both of whom are revered by many and held in high esteem by both Jerry and Cherry.

SPRING 2011 | 09

During our conversation, Cherry Givens spoke passionately particular scenario Jerry began to share some food for about her parents as well. Amazingly, she comes from quite a thought about ‘PK’s’ or Preachers Kids, as they are called. large family and is the thirteenth of fifteen children. We all He said that the reason why so many people are of the said to ourselves, “Wow!” impression that the preacher’s kids are the worst is because, Her father Tom Johnson and mother Velma Ruth were very “So many times, that preacher spends so much energy in instrumental in helping to shape the way in which she views helping to perfect the church membership, that is leaves very relationships and the possibilities of have a lasting meaningful little time of whatever is left for his own family. So consequently their own children are not one at that. Her father Tom would later go receiving the amount of attention that a on to become a Pastor after Jerry and normal child would, who has both parents Cherry got married, but he was always an in the home.” entrepreneur at heart. Although he worked for GM, like many men during those days, The conversation was really getting good he would buy property, fix them up and when Pastor Givens seemed to switch then sell them. She recalls many days gears as he began to talk about their when the children would go to the homes personal relationship by sharing, “The and help clean and fix them up. He and primary reason why we’ve been together her mother were very active in keeping over thirty-seven years, (including our the children busy during the summer days engagement) is because, of course God, as they would go to the fields and pick but the other thing is having trust.” He apples, tomatoes, and cucumbers and went on to share that he worked for GM for over thirty-two make their money to buy their school clothes in the fall. years, five of which were in Detroit at GM Renaissance After hearing the two of them speak about their parents, their Center, while at the same time she had her own Montessori early childhood, how they became married and eventually the School in Port Huron, which made it an easy one hundredPastor and First Lady of Prayer Garden COGIC, it becomes plus miles that they were apart from each other.” quite clear that much of their inspiration for how they view God, church and family, is based on a strong upbringing they He continued by saying, “There were days she would call me in the winter on days where there was a blizzard, and she both share with their unique family experiences. would say. ‘Jerry, now you know I don’t like driving in these One of the secrets to making it all work is the fact that we conditions, I’m going to get a room, stay overnight, and I’ll ‘prioritize’ our life, Jerry stated. “We put God first, and then it’s come home tomorrow.’” He then said, “Now I didn’t jump in the family.” He went on to say that, “If you keep God as the my car, fly down to Port Huron to see if she was staying in the hotel room by herself. I trust her!” He ended his story by center of your life, I believe everything else will fall in place.” saying my father always taught the men at our church that “If Sitting there listening to this couple speak was like listening to you make her you queen, she will make you her king.” oracles of wisdom as they shared nugget after nugget of insight for anyone who would want to have a deeper And on perfect cue, Cherry then chimed in by saying that understanding of how to turn life into a constant opportunity to “When our children were young and growing up. I did my best have success in anything they do. For instance, in one to help them live a normal life.”

10 | CENTRIC MAGAZINE

She went on to say that “I know we’re pastor and wife and have titles and such, but there is a normalcy that children have to experience. So, I went to their ball games, if they wanted to play an instrument or if they wanted to play in a band, or if there was anything else that they wanted to do in school, I supported them because that’s the balance.” She continued by saying, “Church is good and it definitely is the foundation, but there is a normal side of life and not just the spiritual side. So, when my children needed us to be there, we were there. I never put them on the backburner for the sake of others.”

As we all began to listen more intently at what was being shared, all of us who were there from the Centric Magazine team were taking our own set of personal notes and getting some of this tag team relationship coaching for ourselves! So then the question was posed, “Is it possible in today’s culture, for a young man and woman, to still do it ‘old school’, so-to-speak, in terms of waiting to have sex before they get married?” Cherry quickly jumped in by saying, “Yes, it is possible!” She went on to say that, “I was a virgin when I got married and I think it is up to the individual, and believe it or not, children want the parent to step up to the plate and show them how to be the teenager that their supposed to be.”

She continued by saying, “But they are not getting it from their parents, they are finding it in other sources.”

“It is the quality time that you consistently have to spend with your mate and you cannot get relaxed. You cannot take your spouse for granted at any point or time because you have to keep the newness in your relationship. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money! Many times I simply call my wife and ask her what she’s doing as see if she would meet me at Tim Horton’s, where we just sit down, get ourselves a $4 or $5 dollar meal. So it’s not the money; it’s the quality time.

Anyone who is successful in life is busy, but you have to take time to do the things that are important to you in life. You have to make the best opportunity out of every moment that you have!”

Cherry then added, “I respect him for who he is. My children have never seen me talk down to him or ‘bless him out’, but they have always seen me give him the utmost respect.” Jerry added, “Now I’m not going to sit here and say that we have never had an argument or disagreement. But, I was taught to never let the sun go down on your wrath.”

Unfortunately this article has to come to an end, however our conversation with the Givens continued. And throughout the rest of our time together, all we could say was, “Wow!”

Now you have to get the picture of what’s going here. Here I am, interviewing this awesome couple, taking my own notes, and I am with three young ladies from the team who are all single! So you can imagine how much we were all ears as they were just simply coaching us.

Jerry then added, “When we were coming up in church, our Purity Class teacher taught us (the young men) that whatever it took to get her, it’s going to take that to keep her. And a lot of times we start out by doing all the big things, but then after we get married, we stop doing all the little things like opening the door for her, pulling out the chair, buying her flowers, etc.

Mom and Dad both taught us to (as they joined in with perfect timing) never let the honey out of the moon!”

He then shared with us something they occasionally do with young couples at the church, in gatherings for casual time to just ‘kick it’, as he put it. “You know we have a lot of couples at the church that tell us they can’t afford to get away.” He tells them that, “You can get you a room right in Genesee County, and once you get inside, you don’t know if you’re in Flint or you are in Florida!” We all had a laugh when he said that because it is so true! He went on to say emphatically that

SPRING 2011 | 11

THE PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE CHURCH

OF

GOD

IN

CHRIST,

BISHOP CHARLES E. BLAKE, SR. RELEASED

THE

FOLLOWING

STATEMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR: President

Obama’s

historic

Patient

Protection

and

Affordable Care Act, which was passed by Congress last year, has greatly benefited many in the United States, and in particular those among us who have not previously had health insurance.

As the Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, one of the oldest and largest Holiness-Pentecostal denominations in the world, with an estimated membership of six million people in fifty-seven nations across the globe, I write in support of the law and urge Congress not to repeal the law or pass any amendments that will weaken it. I am joined in this position by our ruling council, our bishops and their Chairman. As I have argued before, based on our understanding of the Holy Scriptures it is not only our mandate to encourage men and women to come into right relationship with their Creator, but also to proclaim and advocate justice and compassion throughout all creation.

SPRING 2011 | 15

“Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of

immediately from the expansion of Medicaid coverage to

all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge

those within 133% of the poverty level and ultimately from

righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and

the expansion of coverage to childless adults by 2014.

needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9 NKJV

Because of this law many will be spared untold hardship and unnecessary suffering due to ill health and death.

Therefore we petition Congress today, speaking on behalf of millions of Americans who have benefited from the

It is of particular importance to us as Christians that the

health care law. There are several historic provisions that

law does not require any health care plan to offer coverage

we seek to preserve: the current restriction on insurance

for abortion, and requires that taxpayer funds not be used

companies’ ability to deny coverage to children on the

for fees related to the provision of abortions. As Christians

basis of pre-existing health conditions, the extension of

is also critical for us to urge fiscal responsibility among our

coverage to children under 26 through their parents’ health

national leaders. For this reason we support the health

insurance plans, the mandate for every American to have

care law as currently enacted which will reduce the

health insurance by 2014, and the provision of subsidies

national deficit by $143 billion over the first 10 years.

for the needy to cover health insurance are among the most important.

We urge the members of Congress, and in particular the leadership, to resist the temptation to make this vitally

In this, the richest country in the world, thirty-two million

important piece of legislation, which has such important

Americans were without health insurance coverage prior to

benefits for needy Americans, the subject of divisive,

the passage of this law. Today the elderly benefit, as the

partisan attacks. Finally, we call upon all Americans of

law will close the “donut hole” in prescription drug benefits

faith and on all Americans of good will to stand with the

through Medicare by 2020. And the poor, who are of

President in support of this historic legislation.

particular

importance

16 | CENTRIC MAGAZINE

to

us

as

Christians,

benefit

SPRING 2011 | 19

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20 | CENTRIC MAGAZINE

When it comes to leadership, there aren’t many people who understand the topic and what is required to be an effective leader, more than Bishop John Drew Sheard. And to hear him tell it, as he did from his office one weekday afternoon in early spring of this year, he knew from an early age that he was destined to be a leader. Then came the journey that followed, and it has been one that till this day, continues to unfold in a very unique and sometimes unexpected way. that had transpired earlier that day and how he had lost by THE YOUNG LEADER

just one vote. He recalls saying to his mother, “If I had

It is the fourth grade, and a young John Drew Sheard is

voted for myself, I would have won!” His mother said to

nominated to be captain of the baseball team. He is in gym

him, “…you always vote for yourself.”

class and the teacher has him along with his classmates standing against the wall with their faces covered, so that

Well of course the next year, he would not only get

no one could see who was voting for them. At this age,

nominated once again, but he got elected as team captain.

young John had never thought about being a leader, but

Nonetheless, it was the previous years’ experience of not

when he was nominated to be the team captain,

getting elected that was undoubtedly the beginning of

something inside of him said… “Yea, I’d like to do that!” He

young John Drew Sheard recognizing that he could be a

would eventually go on to lose the by only one vote. After

leader. And over time, it would become obvious to many,

school, he went home and told his mother all of the events

that he was able as well as capable to lead.

22 | CENTRIC MAGAZINE

From this point forward, John would always find himself in

The entire school was in an upheaval and the principle of

some form of leadership position. One particular story he

the school, sensing that John could maybe help, came to

shared had us all chuckling as he told of a time during

him and asked for his assistance in orchestrating a

junior high school when he headed up what would by

peaceful end to the disturbance. The principle actually

todays’ standards, be called a gang. Believe it or not, he

said, “John Sheard, I need you to help, because you’re the

said, “…we called ourselves, the purple gang and I was

one who can help calm this down.” God favored John that

the leader of the gang!” He then went on to share that

day as he was indeed able to help prevent things from

while attending high school at Lutheran High West, which

escalating further as tensions eventually calmed down.

was then predominately white; he became fairly popular.

He vividly recalled a time during his junior year, when

So as the years would go by and John continued to grow

there was a racial uproar at the school ignited by an

older, he has always remembered how those early

incident where a white student, stabbed a black student.

experiences formed his fundamental views of leadership because in his own words, “That’s how this leadership thing began to emerge.”

And although these stories are secular in nature and not necessarily church related, it is important to understand the history of this young man and how he came to form his early views of leading and leadership. We continued on the topic for a while and I asked the bishop, “Did you sense that at this early age you would ever be a pastor, let alone a bishop?” He obliged by stating that “Actually, I always wanted to be a preacher. Always!” He went on to share that “As a young boy, I used to stand in my bedroom; I would get one of my mother’s hairbrushes, which was my microphone, and I’d put on her choir robe, and I’d be preaching in the mirror!” Our reaction was simply, “Wow!”

All of this sounds like a script from a movie, but it has been undeniably the life story of a young man, who from his childhood, been blessed with being in the right place at the right time. At times he has to embrace a mantle of leadership which has been thrust upon him. However, the path of leadership which he has travelled was not paved by him alone, and he willingly recognizes this.

For the record he states, “My father is John Henry Sheard and my mother is Willie Mae Sheard. “I have absolutely phenomenal parents, who’ve been married for over 55 years and mom always taught us that dad was the leader.”

SPRING 2011 | 23

He went on to say, “Actually, my mom and dad were both born and raised in the church and although my dad was always active in the church, he was a late bloomer, so-tospeak. You see, my father didn’t start preaching until 1974, but because the Hand of God was upon him, Bishop Baily eventually appointed him as the pastor of Mitchell Street COGIC on the east side of Detroit, which by the way, only had six members when he took over. It grew and eventually he became a District Superintendent, then eventually a Bishop, and now he serves as the chairman of the Board of Bishops of the COGIC, worldwide.”

As for his mother, he also shared, “My mom was a great church worker in the women’s auxiliaries. She also graduated from cosmetology school, was a manicurist and she did hair as well. She worked part-time and along with my dad, who went back to school to get his bachelor’s degree, they kept my brother and I involved in the church.”

MARRIED WITH CHILDREN Bishop Sheard liberally extends an enormous amount of credit to God, family and mentors for helping him achieve the level of success that he has. But in getting to the place where he had a family of his own, he had some things to accomplish on his own first. “I graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Masters in Mathematics, and I taught Mathematics in the Detroit Public School System for 13 years.”

Eventually, he would become married to one of the darlings of the church, Karen Clark of the world renowned Clark Sisters. He recalls that in 1968, his family moved two blocks down the street from the Clark family. His mother used to sing in the choir headed by Mattie Moss-Clark, the revered matriarch of the Clark family and choir director extraordinaire. With a puerile look in his eyes, he remembers the days when he would go down to the Clark’s house, where Twinkie Clark (the third oldest of the Clark Sisters) and he would sit for hours and just talk. He says, “I never really paid any attention to Karen, Twinkie and I were good friends. But one night in August of 1978, I

24 | CENTRIC MAGAZINE

went to a musical at Cathedral Center, and it just hit me!

It is years later, and John Drew Sheard is the leader of his

Cupid just hit me!” He went on to say, “Karen and her mom

own household. He is married to Karen Clark-Sheard, he

were coming out and I said to my friend Ronnie, ‘I’m gonna

is the father of his son, John Drew Sheard, Jr., and his

talk to her!’ And he did. A few months later in January of

daughter, Kierra ‘Ki-Ki’ Sheard. He is also pastoring his

the next year, he recalls them going out on their first date.

own congregation, Greater Emmanuel COGIC. Balancing

“We soon became serious about each other, but I was still

all of these commitments is no easy task for anyone, as

in college. So, we decided that I would finish college and

they require the balance and wisdom of someone who

then we’d get married. So I finished college, worked for a

understands what it takes to not only lead, but also what it

year and in June of 1984 we got married.”

takes to be an effective leader.

Ironically, by this stage in his life, John Drew Sheard had

BECOMING A BISHOP

already been preaching for a number of years. He officially

John Drew Sheard is showing all of the attributes of a man

began preaching in April of 1978 and was ordained in

who has a clear grasp on where he’s come from, where he

1979 by the late, great Bishop J.S. Bailey. According to

is, and where God is leading him to go forward with his life.

him, he is unique in the sense that he is the only person

But one of the greatest challenges is just up the road, and

who can claim to have ever been christened as a baby,

that is being elevated to the office of a Bishop. By all

baptized as a toddler, licensed to preach as a teenager,

indications, he is certainly ready, willing and able.

and ordained as an adult; and all of these by one man,

However, the process by which he would step into this

Bishop J.S. Bailey.

new role would be unexpected, and almost unbelievable.

SPRING 2011 | 25

One day in late 2009, he is sitting in the office of Bishop H.J. Williams, along with Reggie Williams, Huey Williams, and Herbert Williams, Jr., and he recalls how Bishop was sitting behind his desk and they were all sitting in front.

Bishop Williams then said to all of them, “I’ve had enough.

I don’t have the zest for leadership like I should, so I’m going to step down and I’m going to recommend that you (John Drew Sheard) succeed me.”

One would have to understand what was going through John’s mind at this time as he is looking at and listening to the man who has been a pillar of strength, wisdom and leadership in his life for the past several decades. He is the man who also made it possible for him to have the church, which he now pastors. He is 80-plus years old.

And, to make matters worse, he has been experiencing some health complications.

So you can imagine how John Drew Sheard must have been feeling as he is listening to this great man say these things to him and his sons that day. He recalls bishop Williams saying to him, “I’ve been trying to tell you this for some time.” John, shaking his head said, “No Bishop! You were trying to tell me that you were ready to go home to be with the Lord, and I am not ready for you to die yet.” He went on to share that between him, Reggie, Huey, and Herbert… “We were all crying like little girls!” We were listening so attentively as he shared his story, but when he mentioned the part about them “crying like little girls”; we all started laughing, because it would have been quite the picture to see four grown men crying like that.

So as destiny would have it, John Drew Sheard the man, the husband, the father, the pastor, and most importantly the son, is now being elevated to a place of leadership that God has been preparing him for all of his life. On the night of his Inaugural dinner he vividly remembers one moment that is as clear in his mind as the moment it happened.

Bishop Williams, certainly one of the greatest preachers to ever live, is at the podium. His subject is entitled: Today is the Tomorrow That We Talked About Yesterday.

26 | CENTRIC MAGAZINE

He recalls Bishop Williams looking at him saying, “Don’t think I did you a favor. I didn’t do you a favor. I obeyed God.” Those words that Bishop Williams shared with John Drew Sheard continue to have a great impact on him to this day. But one would have to understand why. You see, in most cases when a man/woman has been in office as long as Bishop Williams, which has been over thirty-five years

as

the

establishmentarian

of

North

Central

Jurisdiction, they usually don’t pass the position on to the next generation. Usually they die while in office. But because Bishop Williams had the wisdom, foresight, and resolve to make the transition, he can see the next generation take the vision to a new dimension.

Now that John Drew Sheard is the Bishop of North Central Jurisdiction of Michigan, he promises that Bishop and Mother Williams want for nothing. He noted that, “We created a retirement package that was unprecedented, and needless to say, they are doing very well.”

Additionally, some of the things that people can expect from Bishop Sheard are a focus on enhancing the leadership skills of pastors to become more effective. He also

desires

to

see

more

proficient

departmental

leadership as well as the broadening of the scope of how meetings and conventions are held in various locations throughout the Jurisdiction. He desires to send a message to non-COGIC men or women in ministry as well, that connecting with North Central is an opportunity to join a group of progressive leaders who are on the cutting edge of ministry. Last but not least, the fact that you are reading this article is a testament of the forward thinking mind of Bishop John Drew Sheard in terms of media and its potential to touch the lives of people in an innovative way.

So as our chat with Bishop Sheard drew to an end, it was clear that he has an endearing personality and the wisdom of a man far beyond his age. He has the grace, sophistication, and style of a humble, confident leader, and he is certainly a man of great enthusiasm. After spending any amount of quality time in his presence, one could easily see that he is indeed a natural born leader.

SPRING 2011 | 27

The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC)

The Presiding Bishop spoke to a host of graduates from major Protestant Denominations in the world: Gammon Theological Seminary (The United Methodist Church), Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary (The Presbyterian

graduated its fifty-first class on May 8, 2010. The speaker was Charles E. Blake, Sr, the Chief

Church, USA), Turner Theological Seminary (The African Methodist Episcopal Church), Philips School of Theology (The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church), Morehouse School of Religion (The Baptist Church), as well as a host of students from other denominations whose churches do

Apostle and Presiding Bishop of

not have accredited Seminaries.

the Church of God in Christ, Inc.

Bishop Blake grounded his Commencement Address in the Jacob story. He lifted the account of Jacob’s name

The Commencement Exercise was held in the Martin L. King,

Jr.

International

Chapel

on

the

campus

of

Morehouse College. Bishop Blake is a 1965 graduate of the ITC and was the founding Chairman of the Board of

being changed from Jacob to Israel, and he used this event to draw attention to the importance of struggle and what it means for becoming princes and princesses of God.

Directors for C.H. Mason Theological Seminary in 1970.

The Presiding Bishop gave detailed attention to those The Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary is the official school for graduate theological education in the Church of

dynamics that help to shape good leaders and effective Christian leadership in the church and in the world.

God in Christ. The trip to Atlanta to deliver the Commencement address by the Presiding Bishop was his third

visit

to

the

Charles

H.

Mason

Seminary/ITC within the past school year.

28 | CENTRIC MAGAZINE

Theological

From left to right are: Dr. Thomas Cole, Interim President of the ITC; Dr. Ed Wimberly, Provost of the ITC; Dr. Harold V. Bennett, Dean of the C.H. Mason Theological Seminary; Dr. Paul Roberts, Dean of the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary; and Dr. Frances Bryant Lowery, Dean of the Harry V. Richards Fellowship.

From left to right with the Presiding Bishop are: Andrea Richard (Birmingham, Al); Stephen McNeal (Memphis, TN) Jehiah Cundiff (Winton-Salem, NC); Wesley Williams (Memphis, TN) Clifton Williams, (Tampa, Florida).

Standing to the left of the Presiding Bishop is Harold V. Bennett, PhD., Dean of the Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary.

Missing from the photo is Briarck Bridges (Hassell, NC).

Six students graduated from the Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary. These students received the Master of Divinity degree, and they represent five jurisdictions in the Church of God in Christ. These students plan to return home and continue working in their local jurisdictions.

The C.H Mason Theological Seminary Class of 2010 and Student Fellowship President Elder Stephen McNeal stated: “Bishop Blake’s message has really encouraged and inspired me to confidently be a change agent in a hurting and oppressed world. I am certain that if I follow Christ and remember the steps that Bishop Blake gave the graduating class in his message, I will be effective and efficient in ministry.” Bishop concluded with his famous quote: I see you in the future and you look much better!!!

The fifty-first Commencement exercise of the ITC was a very

significant

event

for

the

Charles

H.

Mason

Theological Seminary. This event marked the fortieth year anniversary of the C.H. Mason Theological Seminary; it provided an opportunity for Bishop Charles E. Blake, the first student from the Church of God in Christ to attend the Interdenominational Theological Center, to return to the ITC as the Senior Ecclesiastical Official in the Church of God in Christ; and it culminated the successful Founder’s Week in February 2010, which was marked by generous giving from our leaders of the Church of God in Christ, Incorporated.

others, and with the economy the way that it is, with so many people being hard pressed for cash, one of the things we set out to do was to offer assistance to those who needed a quality funeral, at an affordable price.” He also states that he desires to offer their services as an alternative choice to the citizens of this community.

Sheldon admits that much of the inspiration for taking the journey into business was drawn from a close friend in another city, who became very successful in the mortuary business himself. “If he can do it, then so can I!”, and with

SHELDON T. BANKS, OWNER / OPERATOR

that way of thinking, Sheldon has done just that.

AND PRESIDENT OF THE NEW SERENITY FUNERAL NOVEMBER

CHAPEL, 2010

IN

WHICH

OPENED

So with no funding from a bank, finance company, or any

MT.

MORRIS,

other government lending agency, Sheldon says “I

TOWNSHIP IS CHANGING THE GAME IN THE FUNERAL SERVICES BUSINESS.

financed this complete project out of my own wallet!” He went on to state that “…between the Flint Fire Department and the Serenity Funeral Chapel, he regularly works in excess of 160 hours per week.” He continued to state that

A 1985 graduate of Flint Beecher High School, Mr. Banks

“when you have goals and ambitions, it’s just part of the

recently graduated from Columbia Southern University

sacrifice you make to achieve your dreams.”

with a Bachelor’s of Science in 2010, and in the same year earned a Bachelor’s in Mortuary Science from Pittsburgh

Sheldon is fulfilling his vision to give quality and affordable

Institute of Mortuary Science.

service to the Flint community. He plans to continue working as a Flint Firefighter and at the funeral chapel. He

Mr. Banks or just simply Sheldon, as he’s called by his

is also affiliated with The National Funeral Directors and

peers on the Flint Fire Department, where he has been

Morticians Association, the Society of Minority Firefighters

employed by the City of Flint as a Firefighter/EMT since

as well as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Flint.

January 1999, is a single parent with three children. A native of Flint, Sheldon currently attends the West Carpenter Road Church of Christ, where he has been a

TO CONTACT SERENITY FUNERAL CHAPEL, VISIT THEM AT: G-2340 W. CARPENTER RD., FLINT OR CALL: 810.787.2225.

member since his youth.

According to Sheldon, he has been interested in being a Funeral Director since the age of 13.

He also has an

identical twin brother, Martin J. Banks, who is also a licensed Mortician and works with him at the Funeral Chapel. And, he gladly shares that he owes a great deal to Dwight Price, a friend and mentor who has helped him from day one. In his own words, “The funeral business, much like being a Firefighter/EMT is really about helping

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PRESIDING BISHOP CHARLES

Though we mourn his passing, we celebrate his life. We

E. BLAKE, SAYS “THE FORMER

His loving wife, Mrs. Shirley Owens, his children, other

PRESIDING BISHOP, CHANDLER DAVID OWENS' CONTRIBUTION TO THE

seek the prayers of friends and saints around the world for

family members, and the membership of the Church of God in Christ."

Born in Birmingham, Alabama on October 2, 1931, Bishop Owens started preaching as a young child. His ministry spanned more than seven decades. He was a lifelong

CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

member of the church, traveled globally and ministered in

WILL FOREVER BE

practically every state in America.

REMEMBERED IN THE ANNALS

He first pastored in Newark, NJ at the Wells Cathedral COGIC, where he served for over 33 years until his move

OF CHURCH HISTORY WITH GRATITUDE, FONDNESS, AND RESPECT.

34 | CENTRIC MAGAZINE

to the state of Georgia. While in New Jersey, Owens was also the Jurisdictional Prelate of the Third Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

Owens, with dedication and loyalty, served the Church of

HE LEAVES TO MOURN, HIS WIFE

God in Christ in various leadership roles, including International President of the Youth Congress, Chairman of the Constitution Committee Second Assistant Presiding

OF 48 YEARS, SHIRLEY JEANETTE OWENS AND TWO CHILDREN,

Bishop and First Assistant Presiding Bishop, Preacher, Teacher, Pastor of the Greater Community Church in Marietta,

Georgia

and

Prelate

of

Central

Georgia

CHANDLER DAVID II, AND CHANDRA STEPHANIE.

Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

HIS DAUGHTER SHIRILITHA His heart for missions led him to financially and through

JEANETTE PRECEDED HIM IN

various other means establish churches, schools and transportation for ministries in the Philippines, India, Malawi and Central Africa.

Owens will always be remembered for his electrifying

DEATH. HE IS THE PROUD AND LOVING GRANDFATHER OF SEVEN GRANDCHILDREN.

oratory. His lifetime of experience at every level of church affairs made him a venerable fountain of wisdom and knowledge.

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