Rev. Dr. Richard Wesley Clarke is a native of Liberia, West Africa, where he served as pastor in the Liberia Conference for over twelve years and as Presiding Elder for four years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Theology from the Bryant Theological Seminary of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) University in Liberia, West Africa, graduating with high academic honors. In Liberia, Dr. Clarke was instrumental in organizing seven AME Churches.

Dr. Clarke was invited to the United States by his spiritual parents, the late Bishop Richard Franklin Norris, former Bishop of the First Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and late Mother Mary Ann Norris in 2004. Bishop Norris and Mother Norris granted him a full scholarship to Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio, where Dr. Clarke again graduated top of his class receiving numerous awards and honors in 2007, thus earning a Master of Divinity degree. Bishop Norris appointed the Dr. Clarke to the pastorate of Bethel AME Church, Norwalk, Connecticut, June 13, 2009, at the Planning Meeting. Since that time, Dr. Clarke has been reappointed yearly to Bethel AME Church subsequently by Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram and our current Episcopal Leadership—Bishop Julius H. McAllister, Sr.

In May 2012, Dr. Clarke received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio and Bakke Graduate University, Seattle, Washington. His dissertation topic focused on “Transforming the Church Culture of Ineffective Urban Ministry: A Way of Reaching Urban Residents in Norwalk, Connecticut.”

Dr. Clarke is a humble servant of God, with a vision to Encounter, Develop, Influence, and Create (EDIC) to transform lives.

1. Encounter the Holy Spirit

2. Develop body, soul and mind

3. Influence the community

4. Create a conducive atmosphere for ministry

Dr. Clarke has instituted a Ministry to Men, Ministry to Women, Senior Ministry, Prayer Ministry and reorganization of Class Leaders’ Ministry. He also formed an Exploratory Commission for the Educational Center and the Commission for the Revitalization of Bethel for the next Decade. Under his Administration, the Morning Inspirational Choir and Philippian Ministry were organized, a new digital sign was purchased, purchased a new audiovisual system, installation of a new gas heating system in the parsonage, replaced the deteriorated roof on the parsonage and the educational building, repaired the church steeple tower, installation of a security system and security doors, installed new carpet in the office and educational building, renovated Dana Hall and rental properties. Dr. Clarke led the congregation in redeeming properties and the Bethel AME Co-op from foreclosure. Many have given their lives to Christ and joined the Church.

Active in the community, Dr. Clarke chairs the Martin Luther King, Jr. Corridors Economic Development Initiative of Norwalk with Mayor Harry Rilling. Since 2017, more than $179M in local, state and federal funding has been committed to the South Norwalk community and the MLK Corridor Initiative. Dr. Clarke is also a member of the Norwalk Housing Advisory Commission and Mayor’s Select Committee. Dr. Clarke is the past President of the Interdenominational Ministers’ Fellowship of Norwalk and the vicinity having served for eight years. Dr. Clarke also served as a Lecturer for a semester at the Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Connecticut.

Dr. Clarke is married to Mebby Lukwesa Clarke and the proud father of two daughters—Ruth and Rachel; and two grandchildren—Richard and Ananeya. A man of God, Dr. Clarke comes as a servant open to sharing the work of ministry.