[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8626]
[From the U.S. 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 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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