Gregory Clarke: Difference between revisions
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The Reverend '''Gregory L. Clarke''' (born [[ | The Reverend '''Gregory L. Clarke''' (born [[1954]] in [[Bessemer]]) is the pastor of [[New Hope Baptist Church]], which has two locations, in [[West End]] and [[South Avondale]]. In addition to pastoring the church's 3,000 members, he serves as superintendent of the [[New Hope Christian School]] and manages the [[New Hope Community Development Federal Credit Union]] and the [[Garden of Hope]] senior apartment complex that the church founded. He is also president of the [[Southwest Area Network]] (SWAN), a community development corporation and a trustee of the [[Easonian Baptist Bible College]]. | ||
Clarke earned his bachelor's degree at [[Birmingham-Southern College]] and went on to post-graduate studies at Harvard Divinity School and Boston College. Clarke came to New Hope in [[1986]] and presided over the founding of the second campus in Avondale in [[2001]]. | Clarke earned his bachelor's degree at [[Birmingham-Southern College]] and went on to post-graduate studies at Harvard Divinity School and Boston College. Clarke came to New Hope in [[1986]] and presided over the founding of the second campus in Avondale in [[2001]]. | ||
In [[2004]] IRS officials received an anonymous letter that led to an investigation of Clarke's personal finances. At issue were his failure to report gifts from the church as personal income. His defense maintained that though he may have been negligent, that prosecutors would be unable to prove criminal intent. Nevertheless, he was convicted on three counts of falling false returns on [[July 20]], [[2007]]. | In [[2004]] IRS officials received an anonymous letter that led to an investigation of Clarke's personal finances. At issue were his failure to report gifts from the church as personal income. His defense maintained that though he may have been negligent, that prosecutors would be unable to prove criminal intent. Nevertheless, he was convicted on three counts of falling false returns on [[July 20]], [[2007]]. On [[December 18]] he was sentenced to serve 21 months in federal prison and to pay $35,684 in restitution. | ||
Clarke is married (Regina) and has four children. | Clarke is married (Regina) and has four children. | ||
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* Walton, Val (July 17, 2007) "Pastor's income called 'offerings'" ''Birmingham News''. | * Walton, Val (July 17, 2007) "Pastor's income called 'offerings'" ''Birmingham News''. | ||
* Garrison, Greg (November 2, 2006) "More pastors willing to focus on preaching." ''Birmingham News''. | * Garrison, Greg (November 2, 2006) "More pastors willing to focus on preaching." ''Birmingham News''. | ||
* "Rev. Gregory L. Clarke of Birmingham sentenced to 21 months in prison for filing false tax returns." (December 18, 2007) ''Birmingham News''. | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Clarke, Gregory}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Clarke, Gregory}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:1954 births]] | ||
[[Category:Living people]] | [[Category:Living people]] | ||
[[Category:Birmingham-Southern alumni]] | [[Category:Birmingham-Southern alumni]] | ||
[[Category:Baptist ministers]] | [[Category:Baptist ministers]] | ||
[[Category:Criminals]] | |||
Revision as of 01:17, 19 December 2007
The Reverend Gregory L. Clarke (born 1954 in Bessemer) is the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, which has two locations, in West End and South Avondale. In addition to pastoring the church's 3,000 members, he serves as superintendent of the New Hope Christian School and manages the New Hope Community Development Federal Credit Union and the Garden of Hope senior apartment complex that the church founded. He is also president of the Southwest Area Network (SWAN), a community development corporation and a trustee of the Easonian Baptist Bible College.
Clarke earned his bachelor's degree at Birmingham-Southern College and went on to post-graduate studies at Harvard Divinity School and Boston College. Clarke came to New Hope in 1986 and presided over the founding of the second campus in Avondale in 2001.
In 2004 IRS officials received an anonymous letter that led to an investigation of Clarke's personal finances. At issue were his failure to report gifts from the church as personal income. His defense maintained that though he may have been negligent, that prosecutors would be unable to prove criminal intent. Nevertheless, he was convicted on three counts of falling false returns on July 20, 2007. On December 18 he was sentenced to serve 21 months in federal prison and to pay $35,684 in restitution.
Clarke is married (Regina) and has four children.
References
- Walton, Val (July 21, 2007) "Clarke guilty on all counts." Birmingham News.
- Walton, Val (July 17, 2007) "Pastor's income called 'offerings'" Birmingham News.
- Garrison, Greg (November 2, 2006) "More pastors willing to focus on preaching." Birmingham News.
- "Rev. Gregory L. Clarke of Birmingham sentenced to 21 months in prison for filing false tax returns." (December 18, 2007) Birmingham News.
External links
- Pastor Clarke Autobiography at New Hope's website