Pastor Lamont B. Shields, the youngest child and son of Elder Walter and Evangelist Beulah Shields’ nine children, is the fourth member of their family to lead this historic congregation. Elder Shields, a graduate of Westinghouse High School, focused his higher learning in the field of Art, attending the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon Institute and graduating with a degree in Commercial Art. After a tour of duty in the United States Army, Sun and Thrift Drug Corporation employed him as a Commercial Artist and Manager of Production for Marketing and Advertising until he retired, having completed more than 40 years of service.

Pastor Shields and his wife of 53 years, Evangelist Mary Shields, are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters: Tania Womack and Lynda Womack of whom they are tremendously proud, along with their husbands Calvin and Christopher. Pastor and Evangelist Shields also have four fantastic grandchildren: Kari, Christopher, Calina, and Alana Womack.

For over 71 years, Elder Shields has been a loyal servant of the Church of God in Christ. His first appointment came at age 10 as secretary of the Young People’s Willing Workers (YPWW), teaching Sunday School and serving as the church musician by age 15. Three years, later, he was minister of music/choir director, organist and church bus driver. He has served as Business Administrator, Chairman of the Trustees, Chairman of Deacons, Chairman of the Executive Administrative Board and Assistant Pastor of Morningside.

Pastor Shields’ service extends beyond the walls of his home church and denomination. As an anointed and accomplished musician, he also served Mt. Ararat Baptist Church Gospel Chorus, Youth and Men’s Choir, the Wesley Center AME Zion Church Choir, the Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Church Male Chorus, the Miracle Church of God in Christ Radio Choir, the Gospel Sermonaires of Aliquippa, PA, the Robert Henderson Specials, the Gospel Messengers, the Pittsburgh Community Choir, The Marimont Recording Concert Choir and many more. Additionally, he is a board member of the State Ministers and Missionaries Alliance and served on the State Budget Committee, as well as Chairman of the Public Relations Committee and Chairman of the Investigation Committee. Three years ago, he was appointed Superintendent of the Central District of the 1st Jurisdiction of W. PA of the Church of God in Christ.

Pastor Shields has continued being a humble servant since becoming pastor of the Morningside COGIC. Pastor Shields’ passion is that the church would become a beacon in the community, by expanding its territory, demonstrating the love of Christ through our service and support for the community. In Elder Shields’ own words: “My greatest desire is to define, defend and declare the Word of God with all my heart, soul and mind. I will serve my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, until He calls me home.