Reverend Dr. Morris L. Shearin Sr.

Biography The Rev. Dr. Morris L. Shearin, Sr. The Reverend Dr. Morris L. Shearin, Sr. is a native of Garysburg, North Carolina. He is a graduate of Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, where he received both a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Religion and a Master of Divinity. He earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC. Rev. Dr. Shearin was installed as the ninth Pastor of Israel Baptist Church (IBC) in October, 1988. Prior to becoming the Pastor of Israel Baptist Church, Rev. Shearin was the Pastor of Mount Olive Baptist Church, Lewiston, North Carolina; Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Lawrenceville, Virginia; Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Adam Grove, Virginia; and the Associate Pastor of Wake Chapel Baptist Church, Raleigh, North Carolina. Among the many accomplishments of Pastor Shearin during his tenure at IBC, are the following: established the Child Development Center at Israel Baptist Church; initiated the STEM Ministry (Stewardship, Training, Evangelism, and Missions); revitalized the Music Ministry; and made provisions for an on-site commodity food bank. His stewardship teachings and encouragement led to a stronger commitment towards tithing and as a result, the church’s mortgage was burned in 1992 within just three years. Dr. Shearin has received numerous awards through dedication to God’s work and the support of family, friends, and the congregation. A few of his accomplishments include: Member, Judicial Nominating Committee, Washington, D.C.; 2013 Honoree of the Washington, DC Hall of Fame Award; 2008 African American Labor Leaders Economic Summit on Labor and Religion; Past-President, Baptist Convention of D.C. and Vicinity; Past-Member, National Board of Directors of the NAACP; Chairman, NAACP National Convention (2006); Chairman, Project Labor Agreement Task Force, Washington, D.C.; Invited Guest, Harvard Law School; past-president, D.C. branch of the NAACP; past-president, Howard University National Theological Alumni Association; outstanding citizen award, Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO (2005); and member, Board of Directors for the Stoddard Baptist Home. With the support and love of the congregation of Israel Baptist Church and the DC community, in June of 2015, The Rev. Dr. Morris L. Shearin Sr. Community Life Center at Israel Baptist Church, held its Grand Opening Gala. This contemporary state of the art facility includes health care services on two floors provided by Unity HealthCare. The third floor is home to Israel Manor Inc's Capital City Hall of Distinction -- a spectacular venue with views of the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building. In 2016, Israel Manor Inc., the business arm of Israel Baptist Church opened a senior housing building, Visionary Square @ Rhode Island Ave. Washington DC. Dr. Shearin remains active in the Shaw University’s Theological Alumni Association and Howard University’s National Theological Alumni Association For his tireless and unselfish efforts to advance the kingdom of God on earth, Rev. Shearin has received numerous other awards and citations from religious, civic, and government organizations in his home-state of NC and in the Washington DC area. Pastor Shearin’s desire to continuously increase the biblical educational experience of the congregation and others, inspired him to lead several tours with Wyatt T. Walker to “The Land of the Bible” (including Israel and Greece). Through such efforts, members were baptized in the Jordan River and rededicated themselves to reaching out to others in order to spread the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rev. Shearin is married to the former Bertha M. Cotton of Northampton County, NC. They have two children, Felicia and Morris (Jr.), and two granddaughters, Morgan and Alana. Pastor Shearin is also the father of Carolyn and the grandfather of Jualia and Jamel. Rev Dr. Morris L. Shearin, Sr. was truly a visionary. His passion for helping those less fortunate led him from Vision to Victory in seeing IBC Senior Housing Property-Visionary Square and The Rev. Dr. Morris L. Shearin Community Life Center developed through the business arm of Israel Baptist Church, Israel Manor Inc. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that you send donations to Israel Manor Inc. or Israel Baptist Church to honor the legacy and memory of Pastor Morris L. Shearin. Donations can be made online www.israelmanorinc.org or Or checks can be mailed to:Israel Baptist Church1251 Saratoga Ave NE Washington, DC 20018. Repast immediately following service at The Rev. Dr. Morris L. Shearin Community Life Center. Sincerely, The Shearin Family

Tributes

Reverend Dr. Morris L. Shearin Sr.

December 11, 1940 - November 18, 2017