Reverend Ozetta Kirby

 

Rev. Ozetta Kirby was born in Sebree, Kentucky. She joined Bridwell A.M.E. church at the age of ten and was an active member of the Sunday School. Her family relocated to Racine, Wisconsin, when she entered high school. She graduated from Dominican College with a B.A. in Elementary Education in 1974. She received her M.S. in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin in 1976 and a Master's in School Administration in 1990. She received a Bachelor's Equivalency Degree in Christian Education.
 

On June 12, 1993, she received the call to preach from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was ordained an Itinerant Elder under the leadership of Bishop Robert Thomas in 1998. She served as an associated minister at Wayman A.M.E. Church in Racine, Wisconsin, before her retirement and relocated to Chandler, AZ, in 2002. Rev. Kirby worked for the Racine Unified School District from September 1970 - June 28, 2002, as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. She served in her church faithfully as a Sunday School teacher, Superintendent, Steward, Lay Reader, Y.P.D. leader, member of the Missionary Society, Board of Christian Education, and Director of the Commission on Evangelism. She also served as the "Tithing is Christian" Director and other committees too numerous to list.

She united with Holy Trinity Community A.M.E. Church in June 2002 and served as an assistant minister under the leadership of Rev. Melvyn Payne for four years. She received her Pastoral Appointment to Holy Trinity on August 27, 2006. Rev. Kirby is married to Brother Prentiss Kirby, and they have four adult children and eight grandchildren.

 

Reverend Melvyn D. Payne

 

Rev. Mel Payne, Servant of God, was born in Washington, DC. From childhood, he served in many roles in church, where his father was a respected deacon. At a tender age, he joined the Air Force for over twenty-one years. He retired as a Master Sergeant, specializing in aircraft maintenance supervision and training. During this service, he received extensive training at the Air Force College and was an instructor for over ten years. This experience fostered a love of airplanes such that after many years, he became a private pilot. Rev. Payne is also retired from Volkswagen of America, where he functioned in corporate roles as a district service manager, district sales manager, and merchandising sales trainer. He was called to preach by God while residing in Illinois, and upon arrival in Phoenix, he presented a letter of recommendation to Rev. Benjamin Thomas at Tanner Chapel. He completed pastoral studies from Arizona College of the Bible and Liberty Christian University. He continues his studies at Trinity College and Seminary.

Since his ordination at Tanner in 1993, he pastored St. Paul A.M.E. Church of Winslow, Arizona, for six years and the Holy Trinity Community Church in Mesa for eight years. Additionally, he served as local and national chaplain for The Retired Enlisted Association and as a moral leadership officer with the Arizona Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. There, he participated in air searches as a crew member on numerous occasions. He also served as a member of the Executive Board of the Arizona Ecumenical Council for two terms. St. Paul received a devoted pastor who loved the congregation and provided sincere and devoted leadership. As a pastor of Holy Trinity, he supervised purchasing a community center and its transformation into the current church building that continues to serve the community. He has been accompanied by his wife, Judy, who was active in the WMS, holding local and district-wide offices. He was cheered on by three daughters, their spouses, and two grandchildren.

The Reverend Dr. William E. Scott, Jr.

Rev. Scott is an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The former pastor of New St. John Community Fellowship Church in Chandler, Arizona. He has pastored in Arizona, Utah, Kansas, and most recently in the 2nd Episcopal District in Virginia.

 

Ministerial Highlights and Pastorates:
+ Harbert Chapel AME Flagstaff, Arizona
+ Murph Community AME Phoenix, AZ
+ Embry Chapel AME Ogden, UT
+ Ward Chapel AME Junction City KS
+ Holy Trinity AME Mesa, AZ
+ Macedonia AME Church Carrolton, VA
+ Greater Bethel AME Chesapeake, Virginia

 

He holds a Certification in American Sign Language from Phoenix College and has integrated his studies into his ministry. He is the author of "African American Family in Crisis," presented to the Arizona Black Town Hall 1988 - Morrison Institute - Arizona State University. While in the 2nd District, he hosted the radio program "Today's Word" which was heard on WYRM Norfolk, Virginia. Local Religious Columnist: "For Your Information" His ministry over the years has included:

+ Outreach ministry to the homeless,
+ Youth Ministry
+ Food Share Programs
+ Ministry to Drug Addicted Youth.
+ Member of Governor's Task Force - Ogden, Utah
+Teacher of American Sign Language

+ Chairperson, NAACP Religious Task Force
+ Board of Gerontology - Ogden Utah
+ American Red Cross Board Member
+ Special Olympics
+ Mentor to troubled youth

He has spoken throughout the West Coast, Midwest, and the United States East Coast. He is married to Ellen R. Scott, a father and grandfather. He lived his life as a man after God's own heart.

Rev. Deborah Coleman (Interim)

We, the members of Holy Trinity, recognize the sacrifice Rev. Coleman made traveling up and down the highway to be our interim Pastor. We are thankful for her time, dedication, and willingness to serve the Holy Trinity family with a spirit of worship and praise incorporated into worship services.

Reverend Kermit Williams Clark Jr.

In St. Louis, Missouri, on March 20, 1957, Kermit Williams Clark Jr. was born to Kermit Williams Clark and Jessica Lynette Lewis Clark at St. Mary's Infirmary. After a short stay in Missouri, followed by a brief period in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the family settled in California. In California, Kermit Sr. and Jessica were blessed with three other children, Bernard, Pamela, and Quentin.

 

Kermit's formal education began at West Athens Elementary School and then went on to Henry Clay Junior High School in Los Angeles, California. He participated in the Religious Release Program through the school and allowed time away from the campus to take Christian Educational courses at a nearby church. During this time, Kermit's appreciation for music was also formed while learning the skills associated with playing the violin and the viola.
 

Kermit was involved in church and worked as a counselor for the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). While at California Heights United Methodist Church, he served as the youth Observer at the Southern California Annual Conference. Later, Kermit became the Young Adult Delegate to the Annual Conference. He served on five District Boards and three Conference Boards, one of which Bishop Charles F. Golden appointed him to. He also started a newsletter for Youth and Young Adults called the "Inner Spark."

In 1975, the family moved to Tempe, Arizona, and in May of 1978, Kermit graduated from Mesa Community with Associate of Arts Degrees in Middle Management and General Studies. Kermit attended Arizona State University, continuing his education, and graduated in 1989 from Ottawa University's Phoenix Campus with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. After graduating from Ottawa, Kermit worked for State Farm Fire and Casualty Company as a Claim Specialist for nine years. Kermit currently works for State Farm as a Claim Automation; Procedures Specialist.

 

Kermit accepted his calling into the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) ministry in 1991 while attending Tanner Chapel AME Church in Phoenix, Arizona. At Tanner, Kermit was responsible for reviving the Young Adult Program and starting the Cub Scout, Girl Scout, and Boy Scout Troops. During this period, he also began the training and study needed to become a pastor in the AME Church.
 

In July 1994, while attending a conference for the church in Oakland, California, Kermit was Ordained an Itinerant Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church by Bishop Vinton R. Anderson, the Presiding Prelate for the Fifth Episcopal District and President of the World Council of Churches. Reverend Kermit W. Clark Jr. was appointed CO-Pastor, Harbert Chapel AME Church in Flagstaff, Arizona. In September of 1995, after completing all the studies and requirements of the church in Denver, Colorado, Rev. Clark was Appointed an itinerant elder in the AME Church. After receiving this ordination, Rev. Clark was assigned to begin a new work in Mesa, Arizona, to be called Holy Trinity Community African Methodist Episcopal Church, which he pastored for two and a half years. Following the 1996 Annual Conference, Pastor Clark was appointed the Conference Director of Evangelism and served as Conference Marshall.

Rev. Clark was appointed Pastor of Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in September of 1998 by Bishop Vernon R. Byrd, Presiding Prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District of the AME Church. While at Greater Bethel, Pastor Clark was appointed the Chief Secretary for the Colorado Annual Conference for the conference years 1999 and 2000. In 2001, Rev. Clark returned to Holy Trinity briefly to assist Pastor Payne as the Holy Trinity Family transitioned into the community it now serves. In the summer of 2002, the Lord called Rev. Clark to start another new work (with Sis. Clark) to be named the Harvest of Joy Christian Church. It was at Harvest of Joy that Pastor Sis. Clark continued to win souls to Christ and help renew broken spirits and wounded hearts. Until this past autumn, the Lord redirected Rev. Sis. Clark's lives to seek a new way to serve Him in His Glory.
 

On June 26, 1999, in Phoenix, Arizona, Rev. Kermit W. Clark Jr. married Awanda Fay Green, a true blessing from the Lord. Rev. Clark has two sons from a previous marriage, Matthew Arron Wiley Clark and Garrett Wiley Clark. Rev. Clark is known for his willingness to remain open, trusting, and obedient as a servant of God. He cast his faith in his savior, Christ Jesus.