The next Moderator of the Presbyterian Church will be Rev David Clarke(59), minister of Terrace Row Presbyterian Church in Coleraine. It's the first time that the minister of Terrace Row has been elected to the office.
Rev Clarke was nominated by 14 out of the 21 Presbyteries who met today throughout Ireland to vote for a new Moderator and will take up office on the 5th June in succession to Dr Harry Uprichard who continues as Moderator until that time.
Rev Jimmy Johnstone, minister of Craigy Hill, Larne received 6 nominations and Rev Wilfred Orr from St Johns, Newtownbreda the remaining nomination.
Commenting on his election Mr Clarke, originally from Ballymena said, 'While I'm surprised I consider this an immense honour for myself, my family and my congregation and, though unworthy, I will seek to serve my Master and my Church to the utmost of my ability. '
'Preaching the sort of sermons I would like to listen to' is one of the ways Mr Clarke, minister of Terrace Row for the last 26 years measures his effectiveness.
'I enjoy preaching which I hope is biblically faithful and rooted in real life,' continues Mr Clarke, 'yet which is encouraging and at the same time challenging to the listener about their own lives and lifestyles. Pastoral care, growing good relations with other churches and providing activities for all ages that develop our faith are also important aspects of our congregation's ministry to the community in Coleraine.'
The son of a Ballymena butcher Mr Clarke was born on 2 September 1946. He is one of eight children and among his brothers are two Presbyterian ministers and a former professional footballer with Sunderland. After leaving Ballymena Academy he completed a law degree at Queen's University before studying Theology at Magee University College and the Presbyterian College, Belfast gaining a BD from Queen's.
From 1970 until 1974 Mr Clarke was the assistant minister in Bloomfield Presbyterian Church in Belfast before accepting a call to Templepatrick. Six year later in 1980 he became minister of Terrace Row congregation in Coleraine with a membership of some 450 families.
A governor of several local schools in Coleraine at all levels Mr Clarke has served the wider Presbyterian Church as convener of the Union Commission and is presently a Trustee and a member of the United Appeal Board.
For over twenty years Mr Clarke has written a weekly 'Thought for the Week' column in the Coleraine Times, a collection of which were published under the title 'Wednesday Papers.' He has also written a history of the Terrace Row Congregation entitled 'Others have Laboured.'
Mr Clarke is married to Hazel and has two daughters.
Voting for each candidate was as follows:
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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