REV. DR. RICHARD WESLEY CLARKE, PASTOR
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 University in Liberia, West Africa, graduating with high academic honors.
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. In May 2012, Dr. Clarke received his Doctoral of Ministry Degree from Payne Theological Seminary 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.” Our current Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram reappointed Rev. Dr. Clarke to Bethel-Norwalk in April 21, 2013.
Dr. Clarke is a humble man of God and a man with vision. Over the last year, we have witnessed our growth spiritually, through the birth of new ministries and increased participation in our Bible Studies. His leadership focuses on five main issues—Reaching and Reclaiming the Community, Educating and Empowering the community, Practicing Godly Economics, Expanding the Ministry and Building our Bethel. Dr. Clarke has instituted a Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Senior Ministry, Prayer Circle and reorganization of Class Leaders. 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 and renovated Dana Hall.
Dr. Clarke is married to Mebby Lukwesa Clarke and the proud father of two daughters—Rachel and Ruth. A man of God, Dr. Clarke comes as a servant open to sharing the work of ministry.
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 University in Liberia, West Africa, graduating with high academic honors.
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. In May 2012, Dr. Clarke received his Doctoral of Ministry Degree from Payne Theological Seminary 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.” Our current Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram reappointed Rev. Dr. Clarke to Bethel-Norwalk in April 21, 2013.
Dr. Clarke is a humble man of God and a man with vision. Over the last year, we have witnessed our growth spiritually, through the birth of new ministries and increased participation in our Bible Studies. His leadership focuses on five main issues—Reaching and Reclaiming the Community, Educating and Empowering the community, Practicing Godly Economics, Expanding the Ministry and Building our Bethel. Dr. Clarke has instituted a Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Senior Ministry, Prayer Circle and reorganization of Class Leaders. 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 and renovated Dana Hall.
Dr. Clarke is married to Mebby Lukwesa Clarke and the proud father of two daughters—Rachel and Ruth. A man of God, Dr. Clarke comes as a servant open to sharing the work of ministry.