Superintendent Willie Edward Clark, Jr., born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, obtained his high school diploma from Forrest County Agriculture High School. After graduating he furthered his education at Pearl River College and met his wife, Teresa Gail Jordan. They were united in holy matrimony on January 14, 1975. After graduating from college, Superintendent Clark accepted his call to preach the Gospel in 1976. He was filled with the Holy Ghost and was ordained as an elder in 1981 under the leadership of Bishop Theodore Davis.

 

He was appointed to Pastor at St. Matthew COGIC in Bay Springs, MS in 1981. Through divine vision and leadership, he was able to create a plan to build a new church with few members. It was the spiritual guidance and direction of the Spirit of God, the congregation grew, people were saved, and filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. As signs did follow, miracles were performed, and demons were cast out by the laying on of hands. While serving faithfully as a Pastor, dedicated to God, his family, and the people; the anointing on his life was greatly recognized, which led to his appointment as Superintendent to the Louisville District.

 

In 1991, Bishop Albert Vernon Jordan requested Superintendent Clark to return to Hattiesburg, MS to serve as pastor of Nicholson Temple COGIC. While continuing to serve at St. Matthew, he started the journey to build-up the membership at Nicholson Temple. After much fasting and praying, Superintendent Clark made the decision to totally dedicate his time to Nicholson Temple COGIC in Hattiesburg, MS. In elevation, transition, and relocation, he continued to abide in faithfulness, which led to his appointment as superintendent of the Hattiesburg East District in 2010 and 2nd Executive Administrative Assistant to Bishop A.V. Jordan. During this time, proof that he led first in his home, was exemplified in the life of his wife, as she was appointed over the Superintendent’s Wives’. While continuing to work diligently in the full capacity of their ministries, Superintendent Clark & Missionary Gail Clark were led to start “Whole Armor Ministries”. Inspired from the heart of God, this ministry was designed to bring hope, life and purpose in an otherwise disparate community. Through educational training for addictions, feeding programs, clothing drives, and food pantries, the ministry has not only flourished, but continues to respond to the command of God, which is to love his people. It is not a duty, but a passion. Under his leadership, Nicholson Temple COGIC, which was later renamed “Whole Armor Church of God in Christ” has grown and exponentially expanded to a new worship facility & continues to progress.

 

For more than forty-five years, he has allowed God to order his steps, which is shown through his various ministries that have greatly impacted lives. It is visible that the anointing of God has rested upon His earthly vessel. The knowledgeable and charismatic preaching of Superintendent Willie Clark Jr. has influenced countless lives and led many souls to Jesus Christ. Clothed with a spirit of humility and servitude, his genuineness and zeal for evangelism has solidified his trustworthiness and has made him a leader in his region. Superintendent Clark, a dynamic visionary and leader, has utilized God given resources to collaborate with local communities to launch two successful debt free churches. Pastor Clarks’ footprints entail the successful leading of two churches in the Mississippi Southern 2nd Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, serving as Superintendent over two districts: Louisville District and Hattiesburg East District and currently pastoring Whole Armor COGIC in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. One of his greatest joys is to cultivate young men to be leaders through spiritual and developmental training. He has worked hard to further the education of all his ministry leaders by implementing the C.H. Mason Jurisdiction Institute in his church. He has worked hard to create leadership and soul winning manuals that will help in all levels of ministry. He delights in being the example that they may follow to be productive men in every aspect of their lives. Since joining the family of God, Superintendent Clark has remained faithful and dedicated to his local church, district and Mississippi Southern Second Jurisdiction.

 

As his ministry progresses he continues to empower economic development. As a catalyst for change, he has served in various capacities to ensure the wholeness of a being; a few are listed as, but not limited to: volunteering at local elementary schools, mentoring, working with Hattiesburg Prison Ministry, serving as Chaplin for the Forrest County D. A. Office, serving on the Board for Boy Scouts of America, Director of Education for NAACP and serving as a Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Housing Authority for the City of Hattiesburg. During his years of service as Housing Commissioner, he spearheaded the purchase of property and led in the development of 56 homes for low-income families. One of his greater successes included serving as the Chairman of Pine Belt Mission Mississippi to break many ministry related racial barriers.

 

Though his greater rewards are found in heaven, a few of his earthly rewards include his recognition as Commissioner of the Year for Mississippi Association of Housing and Redevelopment; where he served in various positions, such as the Vice President of the Commissioner for Mississippi Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, Jessie L. Caffee Humanitarian Award for his Community Service, Street Ministry and Soul Winning Award from COGIC National Evangelism Department - Dr. Elijah Hankerson, City of Hattiesburg Mayoral Award for Outstanding service in the Community, Executive board member for South Eastern Regional Council of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and President of Plumbing and Mechanical Board for the City of Hattiesburg. In addition, he served as an University of Southern Mississippi Black Athletes Advisor. God continues to increase his outreach and bless his ministry endeavors as he strives to enhance each life that he connects with.

 

Superintendent Clark and Missionary Gail Clark are blessed to have four children: Missionary Shalawn Clark, Elder Edward Clark (Latorya), Missionary Nicole Banks (Elder Chris Banks), and Missionary Sonyetta Clark, who all serve faithfully in ministry on multiple levels. They are grandparents of five: Christian, Tiffany, Ramiyah, Ivan and Alanah and great-grandparents to Rari Clark.