TEBA CHURCH AND PASTOR SPOTLIGHT: James Clark at First Baptist Church Tomball
In this month’s Church and Pastor Spotlight, we spoke with Pastor James Clark, who has been the senior pastor at FBC Tomball since 2009. Prior to this, he was senior pastor at Park Place Baptist Church in Houston for 17 years. He holds an undergraduate degree in business from New Mexico State University and an mDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Carrie, have been married for 41 years and have two grown children.
Tell us about your current ministry context.
James: We have recently fully relocated our ministry to a different location. When I came on board, the church was undergoing a revitalization process. FBC Tomball purchased land back in 2001 with a vision to move, but various conflicts slowed down the process. Four years ago, we began moving forward in earnest and finally moved into our new building last year.
What is God teaching you in this season?
James: The importance of endurance. None of this would’ve happened without the constant, steady endurance to fight battles and stay the course. It’s only taken 17 years for us! But my staff have also endured. Our longest-tenured staff member has 22 years, and I’ve been blessed with a staff who are in it for the long haul. They’ve been a big part of what’s taking place. All of this is hugely important for a senior pastor.
What advice would you offer to other pastors?
James: One of the keys to my tenure is that I’ve always been surrounded by people who support me: my wife Carrie, but also the folks at the TEBA, other pastors within our community from different backgrounds, etc. That’s important because when you hit those hard spots, these are people who stand with you. This support network is critical – you simply cannot do this in isolation. So gird up and strengthen that support network, whatever that looks like for you. I have other pastors who text me on Sunday morning before the service that they’re praying for me; they’ll give me a specific verse of encouragement, etc. There’s something powerful about hearing from another pastor before you go on to preach. I was at an oral surgeon just the other day, and the assistant said, ‘I know you – our church prayed for you & your church on Sunday.’ Deeply encouraging. So elevate the importance of developing a support network; carve out that time to develop relationships. Knowing that the TEBA is always there for us is just huge.
How can the churches of the TEBA pray for you?
James: For continued endurance & strength. I may be wiser as I’ve gotten older, but not nearly as strong. I would also ask that you pray for my family as well. They face the same dilemmas that I face. They’re a part of it too.
Pictured below: The First Baptist Church Tomball’s New Building
