CHRISTON WILLIAMS

REV. DR. RICHARD WESLEY CLARKE

Bio

Rev. Dr. Richard Wesley Clarke is a native of Liberia, West Africa, where he served as pastor in the Liberia Conference for over twelve years and as Presiding Elder for four years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Theology from the Bryant Theological Seminary of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) University in Liberia, West Africa, graduating with high academic honors.
In Liberia, Dr. Clarke was instrumental in organizing seven AME Churches.

Dr. Clarke was invited to the United States by his spiritual parents, the Right Rev. Richard Franklin Norris, former Bishop of the First Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Mother Mary Ann Norris in 2004. Bishop Norris and Mother Norris  granted him a full scholarship to Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio, where Dr. Clarke again graduated top of his class receiving numerous awards and honors in 2007, thus earning a Master of Divinity degree.  Bishop Norris appointed the Rev. Dr. Richard Wesley Clarke to the pastorate of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Norwalk, Connecticut, June 13, 2009, at the Planning Meeting.    Since that time, Dr. Clarke has be reappointed yearly to Bethel AME Church, Norwalk, Connecticut, by our current Bishop, Rev. Gregory G. M. Ingram.  In May 2012, Dr. Clarke received his Doctoral of Ministry Degree from Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio and Bakke Graduate University, Seattle, Washington.  His dissertation topic focused on “Transforming the Church Culture of Ineffective Urban Ministry:  A Way of Reaching Urban Residents in Norwalk, Connecticut.”   

Dr. Clarke is a humble man of God and a man with a vision.  We have witnessed our growth spiritually, through the birth of new ministries and increased participation in our Bible Studies.  His leadership focuses on four main disciplines:

1. Reaching, Reclaiming and Redesigning the Community.

2. Encouraging, Educating, and Empowering the People of God.

3. Engaging God’s People to Practice Biblical Economic Principles.

4. Expanding the Ministry, Building our Bethel and our Community. 

Dr. Clarke has instituted a Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Senior Ministry, Prayer Ministry and reorganization of Class Leaders’ Ministry.  He also formed an Exploratory Commission for the Educational Center and the Commission for the Revitalization of Bethel for the next Decade.  Under his Administration, the Morning Inspiration Choir and Philippian Ministry were organized, a new digital sign was purchased, installation of a new gas heating system in the parsonage, replaced the deteriorated roof on the educational building, repaired the church steeple tower,  renovated Dana Hall and rental properties--15 Academy Street and 34 Merwin Street.

Active in the community, Dr. Clarke presently serves as the President of the Interdenominational Ministers’ Fellowship of Norwalk and the vicinity. Dr. Clarke Co-chairs the Martin Luther King, Jr. Corridors Economic Development Initiative of Norwalk with Mayor Harry Rilling.

      
Dr. Clarke is married to Mebby Lukwesa Clarke and the proud father of two daughters—Ruth and Rachel; and two grandchildren—Richard and Ananeya.  A man of God, Dr. Clarke comes as a servant open to sharing the work of ministry.