Fayetteville, NC – April 7, 2009 – Bishop Larry L. Shaw has served active duty in the US Army for more than 23 years.  He has continued his service to his country as a Military Chaplain in the Army Reserve for the last 5 plus years.  In January 2007, Bishop Shaw answered the call to serve alongside his fellow servicemen in Afghanistan.  It was during this tour in Afghanistan, that Bishop Shaw sustained injuries from an IED Taliban Attack.  He served as a Chaplain, Mentor and Pastor of Camp EERGS in Afghanistan.  It is with great humility and honor that on May 5, 2009, Bishop Shaw will be awarded 4 awards with the highest being the Purple Heart.  The Purple Heart is a badge of Military Merit, awarded in the name of the President to those that have given of their blood in the defense of the homeland.  The other three awards are the Combat Action Badge and 2 Joint Meritorious Service Medals: Joint Service and Branch Service.

Bishop Shaw is not only a soldier on the battlefield but he is a soldier in the Lords army.  He is the Jurisdictional Prelate for the Historic First Jurisdiction of Southern Georgia, Church of God in Christ.  He also serves as the Executive Secretary to the Board of Bishops and is the founder of many churches throughout Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Virginia and Korea.  Bishop Shaw is the proud father of two lovely children.  His son Elder A.D. Shaw is the pastor of Full Gospel Tabernacle, Church of God in Christ in Hinesville, GA which serves as the headquarters for Historic First Jurisdiction of Southern Georgia.  His daughter Monica Shaw is active in the ministry and will receive her MBA from Georgia State University in May 2009.  Bishop Shaw is the first Church of God in Christ Bishop to receive this honor while being dually active in the church and military.

Bishop Shaw will be presented this award, in front of more than 1,000 (one thousand) fellow service men and women, by the Post Commander of Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC.  Joining in the ceremony will be a representative from the

Church of God in Christ, the Board of Bishops and the Historic First Jurisdiction of Southern Georgia.  A host of family and friends will be present to encourage this great man of God and distinguished military hero.

The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC. For more information, call 912.368.3044, email fgt@clds.net.