[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 78 (Thursday, June 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1023-E1024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REVEREND PHARIS EVANS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 2, 2011

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and admiration 
that I stand before you today to honor and congratulate Reverend Pharis 
D. Evans on his 50th Anniversary as Pastor of Clark Road Missionary 
Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana. I can truly say that throughout his 
many years of service, Pastor Evans has been one of the most dedicated, 
distinguished, and committed citizens of Indiana's First Congressional 
District. He will be honored at a lifetime achievement celebration 
hosted by Clark Road Missionary Baptist Church on June 10, 2011.
  Reverend Pharis Evans graduated from Haywood High School in 
Brownsville, Tennessee. His passion and interest in theology grew from 
the church services he attended as a child, and he knew from a very 
young age that he was destined to be a preacher. He

[[Page E1024]]

studied theology at Chicago Baptist Institute and continued his studies 
at Calumet College of Saint Joseph in Whiting. The first Sunday in 
April 1961, Pharis D. Evans became Pastor of Clark Road Missionary 
Baptist Church. For 50 years, Pastor Evans has administered spiritual 
guidance to his congregation that today includes more than 800 
parishioners. He has positively impacted the lives of countless 
individuals through his spiritual teaching and generous nature. During 
his tenure, he has assisted the church and the community in numerous 
capacities. From 1963 to 2011, Reverend Evans has coordinated and 
maintained Radio Broadcast Outreach Ministry. From 2009 to 2011, he was 
appointed and has served as ``Spiritual Advisor'' for the Baptist 
Ministers Conference of Gary and Vicinity; and in 2008, Pastor Evans 
was awarded the prestigious community service Drum Major Award by the 
Gary Frontiers Organization. Additionally, he has served as President 
and Vice President of the Progressive National Baptist Convention for 
the state of Indiana. He also served as chaplain for the Gary Police 
Department. Because of his passion and remarkable leadership, Pastor 
Evans is a mentor for many young ministers and a counselor for pastors 
in search of guidance and direction. For his complete devotion to 
helping others in need of spiritual guidance, he is to be commended.
  Personally, I am humbled to consider Pastor Evans a friend. My life 
and the lives of all those he has touched have been inestimably 
enriched by the wisdom of his words, his innumerable selfless acts of 
kindness, and his absolute devotion to Our Lord.
  Equally important is Reverend Evans's beloved family. He has been 
married to Ann Evans for 60 years this October. They have five 
wonderful children (one deceased), nine grandchildren (one deceased), 
and two great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in commending Reverend Pharis Evans for his lifetime of 
leadership and selfless service to others. Northwest Indiana and Clark 
Road Ministry Baptist Church have certainly been rewarded by the 
uncompromising loyalty he has displayed over the past 50 years. 
Throughout his tenure he has been the truest example of morality and 
wisdom, and he is worthy of the highest praise.

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