[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 27, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S3742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO BISHOP TIMOTHY J. CLARKE

 Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Bishop 
Timothy J. Clarke on 40 years of servant leadership to the congregation 
at First Church of God in Columbus, OH, as well as to the broader 
Columbus community and the State of Ohio.
  Bishop Clarke came to Columbus in 1982 after serving as associate 
minister at First Church of God in his hometown of Far Rockaway, NY, 
and as pastor at York Avenue Church of God in Warren, OH. He has grown 
First Church of God into one of the largest ministries in Ohio and is 
known across Ohio and the Nation for his spiritual leadership and 
ability to help bring people together to address many of the challenges 
facing our communities.
  Bishop Clarke is also the founder and chief prelate of the Berean 
Fellowship, an international assembly that partners and mentors pastors 
of small to mid-size churches and those who are new to the ministry.
  I have had the pleasure of working with Bishop Clarke for a dozen 
years. I have benefited from his spiritual guidance and worked with him 
on efforts to battle addiction and human trafficking. He has also 
provided valuable counsel on our efforts to reduce recidivism and help 
people exiting our criminal justice system get jobs and get their lives 
back on track.
  My wife Jane and I have had the privilege of joining Bishop Clarke 
and First Lady Clytemnestra Clarke at First Church of God, where we 
always leave inspired and rejuvenated from his powerful and practical 
Sunday sermons.
  I thank Bishop Clarke for his friendship and counsel, congratulate 
him on reaching this impressive 40-year milestone, and wish him and 
First Church of God the best in the years to come.

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