After 45 years of preaching the gospel. Bishop Clarence Glover steps down from the pulpit.
Due to the recent fire that destroyed the sanctuary of Mount Bethel Baptist Beginning Sunday, we will be worshipping at 744 NW 12th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. This address may sound familiar to some because it is the location of our former church location. Pastor Roger Grimes and the wonderful people of Fort Lauderdale Multicultural COGIC, have eagerly opened their doors to us and we are grateful for their generosity. Our services will take place on Sundays at 10 a.m. This Sunday (12/31/23) we will have both a 10 a.m. and a 7 p.m. New Year’s Eve Service.
Exclusive interview with
Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
Question: How long have you been in the ministry?
Answer: I accepted my call to preach the gospel in July of 1975 under the pastoral leadership of Rev. G.E. Darrisaw at Zion Baptist Church, Brunswick Ga. However, my father was a pastor of four small churches in and around our hometown of Montezuma, Ga. Each church had worship service one Sunday per month. I grew up in the church and felt called into the ministry at age sixteen, but preaching was the last thing I wanted to do. Therefore, thirteen years passed before I would surrender and answer the call of God to preach the gospel.
Question: Has there ever been a time when you felt like giving up?
Answer: There have been times when serving as the pastor of a church was extremely frustrating, disappointing, and even depressing However, there has never been a time when I felt like giving up. I had this call inside of me that was wrapped up in purpose and I had such a passion for that purpose that no matter how tough things were, I could not give up and walk away from the purpose God had placed inside of me. Like the Apostle Paul, regardless of the situation, my goa l has always been to “Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Question: What are three of the most pivotal things you’ve done in ministry?
Answer: Prayerfully, through the preaching and teaching of the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ, I have made a positive impact in the lives of individuals in each city where I served as pastor: Montezuma, G A Daytona Beach, FL and Fort Lauderdale, FL.
However, to answer your question, there are actually four things that I am most proud of.
First: God allowed us to complete the construction of the sanctuary that was in progress upon my arrival to Mount Bethel Baptist Church in November of 1985. The project had been stagnant for some time. Work on the project resumed in the latter part of the Summer of 1986 Construction was completed in September of 1 989. In keeping with the custom of the Black Baptist church, we marched into the new edifice in October of 1989.
Second: My wife, Beulah, and I established Mount Bethel Christian Academy ( in 1990. We began with 25 students, three teachers, very little capital and lots of faith in God. My wife served as the Administrator of the Academy. At that time, we educated students from K3 (kindergarten 33 years old) to 3rd Grade. We later expanded to 8th Grade.
Several years later, we were blessed to construct the building that currently houses the MBCA. There are thirteen Second: My wife, Beulah and I established Mount Bethel Christian Academy (MBCA) in 1990. We began with 25 students, three teachers, very little capital and lots of faith in God. My wife served as the Administrator of the Academy, At the time, we educated students from K3 (kindergarten 3 years old) to 3rd Grade. We later expanded to 8th Grade.
Several years later, we were blessed to construct the building that currently houses the MBCA. There are thirteen class and an administrative wing. We take pride in being an outstanding school that teaches Christian principles while maintaining an outstanding track record for preparing our children academically. We prepare our students to be able to compete in any academic setting.
Third: In 1993, I founded Mount Bethel Human Services Corporation (Renamed: Prevention Central), a social service agency that serves at –risk families. We founded the agency to combat the over representation of African American boys in the Juvenile Justice System. However, we have expanded our services to include programs for children, youth, and families. Our Family Resource Center offers a food pantry that provides food for over 200 families per week. We also offer rental assistance, furniture, clothing, and case management services to families within the 33311 community. We have recently been awarded two fatherhood grants that will have a tremendous impact on families.
Fourth: In 1997 I founded New Visions Community Development Corporation. In partnership with the Cities of Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park and Broward County, we built no less than 80 homes for first time homebuyers. We also assisted hundreds of first–time homebuyers, who did not purchase the homes we built, with the purchase of homes (single family, condos, and townhomes) in neighborhoods throughout Broward County. I am honored to have had the opportunity to assist in changing the face of our community one home at a time.
Question: What three things will you miss the most after retiring?
Answer: I certainly will miss the excitement and the anticipation of getting prepared to preach and teach on a weekly basis. I will equally miss standing in the pulpit of Mount Bethel Baptist Church every Sunday for the preaching and teaching moment. There is nothing quite like it. I will also miss the challenge of casting vision and then working with the deacons, the leadership team, and the membership in an effort to bring vision into a reality. I am a people person so I will miss the wonderful people God has so graciously allowed me to serve these 38 years. Words cannot express the love I have for the people of Mount Bethel. They are more than just parishioners to Lady G, our children, grandchildren, and me. They are our family.
Question: What six things will you tell the new pastor to do and not to do to give him longevity?
Answer: First, I would advise him to seek God daily through spending quality time in Personal Devotion, Bible Study, Prayer and Spiritual, Development.
Second: I would encourage him to love and care for God’s people. There is this, saying, “People don’t care how much you, know, where you went to, school, or how well you can, preach, as long as they know how much you care.” If people don’t believe you care for and value them, your preaching and teaching will be like sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.
Third: I would urge him to not believe the hype. None of us are as great as people will make us out to be. Remember some of the same people who shouted “Hosanna o Jesus on Palm Sunday, cried “Crucify Him” on Good Friday.
Fourth: I would advise him to not get too high after successes, nor too low after failures. Both are a part of doing ministry.
Fifth: I would caution him to be very careful of the people he allows to surround him and to speak into his ears. Jesus had twelve disciples and one of them was a devil.
Sixth: I would advise him to be ware of pride and the seduction of ambition.
Question: How should the Black Church remain relevant in today’s political climate?
Answer: In my humble opinion, If the Black Church is to remain relevant, we need to remember that the Black Church has always been one of the pillars of the Black community. If the Black Church is to remain relevant it must be focused on the liberation of God’s people. The Black Church must have concern for those who are “the least, lost, and left out.” The Black Church cannot be afraid to have a prophetic voice and to speak truth to power. It must be the voice of those who cannot speak for themselves.
The Black Church cannot confine its ministry to the four walls of the church building and to those who are members, butt must remember Jesus’ ministry was in the streets. He [Jesus] ministered to those who were demon possessed. He had a word for those who were caught in the steel straps of life, and as Dr. Joseph H. Johnson said, “and into those dark chambers of night, [He] brought light, sanity and order.” Therefore, the Black Church must be contemporaneous with Jesus in its mission. It must continue to be a citadel of hope that is built on the edge of despair.
Given today’s political climate, I believe it is imperative that the Black Church develop schools or at least after school programs so our children can be taught the truth about their history, as well as prepare them for the society that devalues them. There are hose who are working hard to wipe out our history; therefore, it is encumbered upon the Black Church to work with other community based organizations in order to arm our children with truth.
Lastly, we must teach economic empowerment. It was Marcus Garvey that once said, “Do not be deceived, wealth is strength, wealth is power, wealth s influence, wealth is justice, is liberty, is real human rights.” A broke people are a powerless people.
In the book “The Jewish Phenomenon,” the author says, “If your community is dependent on the charity of another, it is vulnerable to changes in the political wind. In addition, dependency breeds the schooner (beggar) image that people make light of.” Therefore, in addition to the teaching of doctrine, church polity, evangelism, discipleship stewardship, etc., it is imperative that the Black Church teach economic empowerment.
Question: What will you miss the most bout your tenure as the pastor and here do you see you will continue your service?
Answer: That’s a good question. I will certainly miss the people over whom I have given leadership these 38 years. Unfortunately, many of the ones who were here upon my arrival and were pivotal in the development of the ministry have transitioned to be with the Lord. Fortunately, some of them are still here with me. For that I’m eternally grateful.
Many of the parishioners who are with us were born during my tenure. Some of them grew up and hung out at our home with our children. Many attended MBCA and are now parents (some grandparents). In many ways Lady G and I are like second parents to many of them. To see them grow into mature Christians who are making a difference in the lives of others is extremely heartwarming.
I will also miss what some pastors dread because of their acrimonious relationships, and that is, the monthly meetings with the deacons of our church. These men have become more like brothers, certainly close friends. My relationship with them through the years has grown into more than that of pastor and deacons. This goes for our entire leadership team. I love them dearly. Paraphrasing the words of Marvin Sapp, “I never could have made it without them.”
Insofar as my continuing in service, I will carry the title of Pastor Emeritus. I have also been blessed to have an outstanding young man to succeed me as Senior Pastor in the person of Reverend Curtis Ballard. He has asked me to remain as Special Advisor to the Senior Pastor. In actuality, I will be available to serve him and help him in whatever capacity he needs.
I will also serve in some capacity in the operation of MBCA, as well as continue serving as the President of Prevention Central. I plan to complete the book I’ve been working on which chronicles my preaching and pastoral journey. My wife and I also plan to travel and enjoy some of the things we have missed during these years of pastoral ministry.
Question: How would you sum up the joys and pains of the life of a pastor.
Answer: I think the joy for any pastor is seeing the lives of people changed through the preaching and teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is always heartwarming for people to tell me how a sermon I preached, or a conversation we had, completely changed their lives.
Some of the pains for me, have always been wanting more for people than some of them want for themselves, visiting a hospital and trying to give hope to a family whose loved one is transitioning, preaching a funeral of a young person whose life has been cut short due to cancer or some other illness or some senseless acts committed by others and in some instances, by themselves. One of the most painful experiences of a pastor is being hurt and betrayed by people you love and trust.
Question: How has your service to the ministry affected your family?
Answer: I consider myself extremely blessed because for the most part, serving in ministry has not affected my family negatively. My wife has been a great partner with me, an outstanding supporter and encourager of me in ministry. She was the Co-founder and served as the Administrator of Mount Bethel Christian Academy for over twenty years. She also serves and the Coordinator of our Women’s Ministry as well as a Mentor to other pastors’ and ministers’ wives. She has always been the wind beneath my wings.
I have tried to make sure that I kept my value system straight: God, family, then church. There were times when I failed at it but my desire as to always put God first, family second, the church third. One of the things I had to learn to do was not schedule meetings at the church if it conflicted with any school event for either of my daughters. There were rare occasions when it was absolutely necessary for me to schedule a meeting. However, those instances were few. I did not want my daughters growing up angry and even bitter with the church because the church took their father away from them during some of the most pivotal times in their lives.
Our three daughters are all actively involved in the church. They love God and the church. I have known pastors who became so caught up in being “The Pastor” that they neglected to be “The “Parent” God called them to be. As a result, years later, their children still don’t want anything to do with the church. Have there been some things that have had a negative impact upon our family? Yes! But I am so grateful that, by the grace of God, those things brought us closer to God and to one another!
Question: Do you have any regrets?
Answer: The thing I most regret is that II didn’t win and make disciples of more people for Jesus Christ.
Question: What are your plans for the future?
Answer: As the Lord wills it, as previously stated, my wife and I plan to travel and do some of the things we missed doing these 47 years of active pastoral ministry. I still plan to preach and teach whenever I’m called upon to do so…Have Bible will travel. I certainly do not plan to simply ride off into the sunset. I still am passionate about doing the work of the Kingdom.
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