Speakers

Bishop Timothy J. Clarke

Bishop Timothy J. Clarke, Senior Pastor of First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio, was called to the ministry in 1974 and first served in his hometown as Associate Minister at First Church of God, Far Rockaway, New York. He began his first pastorate in November of 1977, at the York Avenue Church of God, Warren, Ohio, where he served the congregation for four years. In February of 1982, he was called to be Senior Pastor of First Church of God, Columbus, Ohio. In 2001, the Lord led him to create the Berean Fellowship of Churches, which at the present time includes 50 + churches of various denominations. He also serves the church-at-large as an Evangelist and Teacher.

Bishop Clarke received a Master in Ministry from the Southern California School of Ministry, Los Angeles, CA and was consecrated to the office of Bishop in 2001. His honors include: Doctor of Divinity from Mid-America Bible College, Oklahoma City, OK; Doctor of Law, Southern California School of Ministry, Los Angeles, CA; Doctor of Humanities, Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio and was inducted to the Morehouse College Board of Preachers.

In the years after being ordained by the Church of God, Anderson, IN, in 1977, Bishop Clarke began a long career of association with the National Association of the Church of God, West Middlesex, PA. His service includes: President of the National Inspirational Youth Convention; Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the General Assembly; President, Vice-President, and Presiding Elder of the National Association of the Church of God.

Bishop Clarke is the author of nine books, "Signs of His Coming"(1998), "Help for Those Who Hurt" (2001), "Bring Back the Glory" (2001), "Daughter Don't Miss Your Season" (2002), "Living in the Blessed Place" (2003), "Making the Most of Your Time" (2004), "Celebrating the Family" (2005), "Reclaiming your Spiritual Health" (2006), "Paying the Price to Win: Putting your faith into action" (2008).

Bishop Clarke and his wife the former Clytemnestra Lawson of Teaneck, NJ, are the parents of adult children Dionesha (Ocie) Clarke - Logan and Joscelyn Renee Clarke. They are the proud grandparents of Ryan Joseph Clarke.

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Baccalaureate Speaker: Dr. Douglas Van Nest, District Superintendent, Southwestern Ohio District, Church of the Nazarene

Dr. Van Nest was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has been a part of the Church of the Nazarene all of his life. He graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 1986 (BA, Religion) and Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1990 (M.Div.). He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. From 1990 to 2007, Dr. Van Nest pastored four Nazarene congregations on the Southwestern Ohio District. In July of 2007, he was elected district superintendent. Dr. Van Nest lives in Miamisburg, Ohio, with his wife Lisa and their two sons.