[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 5, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                 RETIREMENT OF REVEREND PHARIS D. EVANS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 5, 2017

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I take 
this time to recognize and honor Reverend Pharis D. Evans and to wish 
him well upon his retirement as Pastor of Clark Road Missionary Baptist 
Church in Gary, Indiana. For his 56 years of service and devotion to 
his congregation and to the community in Gary and beyond, Reverend 
Evans is to be highly commended. In his honor, two special worship 
services are being held at the church on Sunday, October 8, 2017 and 
October 15, 2017. In addition, a celebratory retirement banquet will 
take place at the Gary Genesis Convention Center on Friday, October 13, 
2017.
   Pharis Evans graduated from Haywood High School in Brownsville, 
Tennessee. As a young boy, his passion for theology grew from the 
church services he attended, and he knew early on that he was destined 
to be a preacher. He studied theology at Chicago Baptist Institute and 
continued his studies at Calumet College of Saint Joseph in Whiting. It 
was on the first Sunday in April 1961, when Pharis D. Evans was first 
selected to lead Clark Road Missionary Baptist Church. For the past 55 
years, he has administered spiritual guidance to a congregation that 
presently serves more than 800 parishioners. Pastor Evans's impact 
through his spiritual teaching has been immeasurable, and those he has 
mentored can all attest to his generous nature. Throughout the years, 
he has been a tireless advocate for his church and the community. Since 
1963, Pastor Evans has coordinated and maintained Radio Broadcast 
Outreach Ministry. From 2009 to the present, he has also served as 
``Spiritual Advisor'' for the Baptist Ministers Conference of Gary and 
Vicinity, and in 2008, he was awarded the prestigious community service 
Drum Major Award by the Gary Frontiers Service Club. Additionally, 
Pastor Evans has served as President and Vice President of the 
Progressive National Baptist Convention for the state of Indiana and 
been a chaplain for the Gary Police Department. A passionate and proven 
leader, Pastor Evans has provided counsel for many young ministers in 
search of guidance and direction. For his selfless devotion to aiding 
those in need of spiritual guidance, Pastor Evans is to be commended.
   Reverend Evans's exceptional dedication to the church and to his 
community is exceeded only by his devotion to his wonderful family. He 
and his beloved late wife, Ann, raised five wonderful children (one 
deceased). Reverend Evans is also a devoted grandfather and great-
grandfather.
   I am privileged to call Pastor Evans my friend. More importantly, 
Reverend Pharis D. Evans has been a friend to all, the epitome of what 
we consider a Man of God. He is a man of service who has led a life we 
should all seek to emulate. His vision, his work, and his spirit have 
provided all of us with a guide to an improved and gentler future.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in congratulating Pastor Evans on his retirement as Pastor of 
Clark Road Missionary Baptist Church. His fifty-six years of complete 
dedication, leadership, and selfless service to others is truly 
inspiring. I ask that you join me in congratulating him and wishing him 
well upon his retirement.

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