Bishop John Drew Sheard was born on January 1, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan, to Bishop and Mrs. John Henry Sheard. He matriculated at Wayne State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, and a Master of Education degree in Mathematics. He was saved at a young age under the pastorate of the late Bishop John Seth Bailey, and later acknowledged his call to the ministry under the guidance of his father. He worked diligently in several positions in the church locally and nationally including serving as choir director, Chairman of both local and state youth departments, as National Adjutant Overseer, Executive Secretary of the International Youth Department, and in various civic capacities including Executive Director of the Michigan Chapter of the SCLC, and as a board member of the Michigan Anti-Apartheid Council.