Today we laid to rest one of the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T.)
Dr. C A W Clark was a redwood among grass. Someone said today in their eulogistic remarks that he was short in stature but he cast a long shadow that covered generations. I am one, in the many of the multitudes, who resided in the blessings of the shadow of Dr Clark.
Dr Clark was that unusual phenomenon in humanity that only comes along every so often. One whom is so gifted and graced by God that even his peers do not try to emulate him. They just marveled at him. however, generations since him, have dissected, copied and emulated his style, tenor and tone to preaching. As younger preachers, we were amazed at Dr Clark. he was a godfather of preaching. As older preachers, we are most thankful for a man like Dr Clark, he is a friend to all.
He is so unique, and a rarified phenomenon that he is studied in the halls of academia in the highest eschelon. How can a 7th grade drop out now have students at Harvard University studying his life, his preaching prowess and preaching style? From missing school and being unable to procede beyond the 7th grade because of the economic need to pick cotton, to the top eschelon of ivory halls in academic excellence at the highest level.
His use of the english language is only as remarkable as he was a stutterer as a youngster. Yet, across the nation and even the globe, throngs came to hear him preach. I remember going to the national convention as a yongster with my parents, just like it was yesterday, and going to hear Dr Clark preach. There was always only standing room only, people lined around the walls and standing out in the foyers and hallways just to hear him preach. he drew crowds like a moth to a flame. The anointing that exuded from this man as he preached is something I have not experienced on that level, in such a huge venue, since. The atmosphere was charged with the electricty of the Holy Ghost! I remember saying to myself then, that's what I want to happen when I preach!
He was both an economist and an artist of words. Dr. William J Shaw, President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. said today during the eulogy that Dr Clark 'never wasted words.' When Dr Clark spoke, for those of you old enough to remember, he was like E F Hutton, when he spoke, people listened. Really listened. We hung on his every word.
In college, he would come to the North Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where Dr Cameron Alexander is Pastor, once a year for revival. My friends and i, who are now young pastors, never missed a night. In the middle of exams, we where there every night. Sitting in the balcony, amazed at the artistry, imagination and anointing of this man. We wanted to preach like Ceasar! We got our hands on every tape, every video, every manuscript that we could. My friend jamal actually broke the tape in the cassette one night while we listened to Dr Clark, because he had played it so much, the tape just popped!
I am a recipient of 'generational blessings.' I have been privilaged to meet and have relationship with people without whom the relationship wth my father, would not have been. For this i am grateful, simply because it is of no fault of mine and i am so undeserving. Since being in dallas, Dr Clark was one of those blessings. I would go and sit and talk, well really listen, to Dr Clark on many occassions. The depth of his wisdom was deeper than the sea beds. His derth of knowledge in things spiritual and practical was beyond a blessing to me. He and the late Dr E K Bailey, were both the guiding forces for me here in Dallas, through my crucible at another church, for which I will forever be indebted to the both of them.
I have been privileged to even preach in the great pulpit and tall steeple of his church, the Goodstreet Missionary Baptist Church on five or six occassions. Dr Clark was a friend to youung preachers. For this I am also grateful and thankful. He has left an indelible imprint on my life that will never be erased.
I am thankful for his life, his preaching, his encouragement, his support, his wisdom, his jokes, his laughter and his smile.
Oh yeah, Isaid, I cried. i did. A friend of mine made joke about it today, but it was no laughing matter to me. But then again, he did not have a relationship nor the history that I was privileged to have with Dr Clark.... Leaving the church, headed to the cemetary, seeing the four horse drawn carriage that carried his body through the streets of Dallas brought tears to my eyes. Seeing cars stopped on the opposite side of the street and people getting out to take pictures of the procession brought tears to my eyes. Tsee people standing at attention in their yards and even one day care, charter school had their children and youth out in the front, standing, taking in the sights and sounds of this moment brought tears to my eyes. The regality of the moment did not escape me, as Dr Clark was royalty among preachers.
As I think about the days happenings and the life of Dr Clark, and how he has invested in my life, tears are now coming to my eyes. Goodnight on earth to you Dr Clark, but good morning to you in heaven, where God will wipe away the tears from all weeping eyes.
agape
Dr. C A W Clark was a redwood among grass. Someone said today in their eulogistic remarks that he was short in stature but he cast a long shadow that covered generations. I am one, in the many of the multitudes, who resided in the blessings of the shadow of Dr Clark.
Dr Clark was that unusual phenomenon in humanity that only comes along every so often. One whom is so gifted and graced by God that even his peers do not try to emulate him. They just marveled at him. however, generations since him, have dissected, copied and emulated his style, tenor and tone to preaching. As younger preachers, we were amazed at Dr Clark. he was a godfather of preaching. As older preachers, we are most thankful for a man like Dr Clark, he is a friend to all.
He is so unique, and a rarified phenomenon that he is studied in the halls of academia in the highest eschelon. How can a 7th grade drop out now have students at Harvard University studying his life, his preaching prowess and preaching style? From missing school and being unable to procede beyond the 7th grade because of the economic need to pick cotton, to the top eschelon of ivory halls in academic excellence at the highest level.
His use of the english language is only as remarkable as he was a stutterer as a youngster. Yet, across the nation and even the globe, throngs came to hear him preach. I remember going to the national convention as a yongster with my parents, just like it was yesterday, and going to hear Dr Clark preach. There was always only standing room only, people lined around the walls and standing out in the foyers and hallways just to hear him preach. he drew crowds like a moth to a flame. The anointing that exuded from this man as he preached is something I have not experienced on that level, in such a huge venue, since. The atmosphere was charged with the electricty of the Holy Ghost! I remember saying to myself then, that's what I want to happen when I preach!
He was both an economist and an artist of words. Dr. William J Shaw, President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. said today during the eulogy that Dr Clark 'never wasted words.' When Dr Clark spoke, for those of you old enough to remember, he was like E F Hutton, when he spoke, people listened. Really listened. We hung on his every word.
In college, he would come to the North Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where Dr Cameron Alexander is Pastor, once a year for revival. My friends and i, who are now young pastors, never missed a night. In the middle of exams, we where there every night. Sitting in the balcony, amazed at the artistry, imagination and anointing of this man. We wanted to preach like Ceasar! We got our hands on every tape, every video, every manuscript that we could. My friend jamal actually broke the tape in the cassette one night while we listened to Dr Clark, because he had played it so much, the tape just popped!
I am a recipient of 'generational blessings.' I have been privilaged to meet and have relationship with people without whom the relationship wth my father, would not have been. For this i am grateful, simply because it is of no fault of mine and i am so undeserving. Since being in dallas, Dr Clark was one of those blessings. I would go and sit and talk, well really listen, to Dr Clark on many occassions. The depth of his wisdom was deeper than the sea beds. His derth of knowledge in things spiritual and practical was beyond a blessing to me. He and the late Dr E K Bailey, were both the guiding forces for me here in Dallas, through my crucible at another church, for which I will forever be indebted to the both of them.
I have been privileged to even preach in the great pulpit and tall steeple of his church, the Goodstreet Missionary Baptist Church on five or six occassions. Dr Clark was a friend to youung preachers. For this I am also grateful and thankful. He has left an indelible imprint on my life that will never be erased.
I am thankful for his life, his preaching, his encouragement, his support, his wisdom, his jokes, his laughter and his smile.
Oh yeah, Isaid, I cried. i did. A friend of mine made joke about it today, but it was no laughing matter to me. But then again, he did not have a relationship nor the history that I was privileged to have with Dr Clark.... Leaving the church, headed to the cemetary, seeing the four horse drawn carriage that carried his body through the streets of Dallas brought tears to my eyes. Seeing cars stopped on the opposite side of the street and people getting out to take pictures of the procession brought tears to my eyes. Tsee people standing at attention in their yards and even one day care, charter school had their children and youth out in the front, standing, taking in the sights and sounds of this moment brought tears to my eyes. The regality of the moment did not escape me, as Dr Clark was royalty among preachers.
As I think about the days happenings and the life of Dr Clark, and how he has invested in my life, tears are now coming to my eyes. Goodnight on earth to you Dr Clark, but good morning to you in heaven, where God will wipe away the tears from all weeping eyes.
agape
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