Pastor Heard retired from the United States Navy on April 4, 2003, after 20 years of honorable service, and was installed as the Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church April 6, 2003.
Pastor Heard received an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Opticianry from Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton, Virginia and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Care Management from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois. Pastor Heard received a Masters Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Hampton University. Pastor Heard has the distinct honor of being the inaugural student, and the first student to graduate from Hampton University in the Pastoral Counseling Program.
Pastor and Sister Shirlyne Heard have been happily married for over 20 years and, together, they have two wonderful daughters: Tesia & Elizabeth Heard. Pastor Heard is one of five children born to Mr. Howard and Mrs. Emily Heard of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and is one of God's anointed mouthpieces for such a time as this.
