Dr. Clayton Ford, National Co-Director for Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries
Dr. Clayton Ford has been an American Baptist and Transformation Ministries pastor for over thirty-five years. He served for nine years as the National Chair of Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries
(hsrm.org),
and is currently HSRM’s National Co-Director. HSRM is a national and international ministry dedicated to bringing about the spiritual revitalization of churches, regions, seminaries, and other Christian organizations throughout the United States and abroad. Clay is a sought-after speaker; he has been a keynote speaker and workshop leader for numerous events, including local church special events and renewal weekends, World Missions Conferences, regional and national worship conferences and spiritual renewal events, pastor/retreats, preaching and pastoral leadership training, evangelism and apologetics seminars, victory in Christ (spiritual warfare) seminars, university forums and debates, men’s retreats and regional Promise Keeper events.
Clay grew up in Virginia and West Virginia and is a graduate of Davidson College in North Carolina. He experienced a dramatic conversion to Jesus Christ during his senior year of college and was called into ministry four months later. He received the M Div degree from the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley and Covina, CA and the Doctor of Ministry degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (now Palmer Theological Seminary). He has served in a variety of ministries including senior pastor in five churches and as street missionary in Berkeley, CA. Clay’s first book,
Berkeley Journal
, was published by Harper and Row when he was a seminary student. His latest book,
Called to High Adventure: A Fresh Look at the Holy Spirit and the Spirit-Filled Life
, was published by Spiritual Journey Press, and also published by CBCNEI in Assam, India. A 32-page
Study Guide
is now available for Clay’s Holy Spirit book, excellent for small group use as well as personal study.
Cheri and Clay Ford have been married for forty years and have two grown children and five grandchildren. Cheri is the author of five Christian books (
cherylford.com
), including the award-winning
Pilgrim’s Progress
(faithfully retold in modern English and published by Tyndale Publishers). She is deeply devoted to Jesus Christ and His ministry and speaks at women’s retreats and other events. Their son Billy is the Senior Pastor at Bouquet Canyon Church (bouquetcanyonchurch.com) in Santa Clarita, CA. He and his wife Denise have five wonderful children. Clay and Cheri’s daughter, Hannah Ford D’Alessandro
(hannahford.com),
is a worship leader, singer, and song-writer. She has produced four anointed CDs. The Fords often team up in ministry events.
Personal Endorsements of the Ministry of HSRM & Dr. Clay Ford
We had the great privilege of having Dr. Clay Ford speak on the issue of the pastor’s spiritual health. He shared insights from both scripture and his personal experiences in ministry with an emphasis on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. His honesty, faith, spiritual depth and instruction on the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit were compelling. The messages were outstanding. At the close of each session Clay led us through a directed time of intercession using a prayer team that he had requested the region staff to assemble from among the pastors. The prayer times ranged from an emphasis upon a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit to prayer for healing from the hurts that are accumulated in the course of ministry. Clay also had the group pray for breakthroughs in the various ministries represented in the room. These were especially powerful times where God moved among the group and touched individuals in special ways. I highly recommend the ministry of Dr. Clay Ford. We consider him to be an encouraging and helpful friend in Christ here in the Northwest.
– Dr. Charles Revis, Executive Minister, ABC of the Northwest
The Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries is devoted to encouraging us to open our hearts and minds to the work of the Holy Spirit. It partners with churches and ABC regions to awaken us all to spiritual gifts and the healing power of Jesus - without inciting division or controversy. HSRM's director, Dr. Clayton Ford, has a unique ability to present a renewal message that challenges and affirms at the same time. As an ABC Executive Minister, I endorse the efforts of the Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries to bring God's people into a new and growing appreciation of the role that the Holy Spirit should play in our journeys. The Holy Spirit is our friend - let's deepen our relationship with the Spirit and be renewed!"
-
Rev. Dr. Lee Spitzer, General Secretary, American Baptist Churches USA
"Our region concluded a Fanning the Flame Pastor's Conference with ABCNJ, where Clay Ford served as our Morning Devotions Leader. The group of pastors that came to the event needed encouragement. They needed to see that God had a plan for their life and ministry, and that they were not alone in the challenges that they faced. Into that environment Clay came and served as a vessel for God's Spirit to pour out His life-giving hope and power into the lives of those weary leaders. His messages to us were powerful and pointed, and he challenged all of us to look to the One who called us into ministry to provide the vision for the future, trusting in the power of His Holy Spirit to enliven us for the journey. Everyone that I spoke to after the event appreciated Clay's heart for the Kingdom and his love for the Savior. I heartily support his ministry and encourage you to do the same."
- Rev. Dr. Frank Frischkorn, Regional Executive Pastor, American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware
I met Dr. Clay Ford when we served together on the ABC/General Board and quickly recognized him as a person of sound biblical integrity and one who speaks with conviction and courage, but also one who presents the truth with grace and kindness. I have attended the Holy Spirit Renewal Conference (Green Lake) as well as other HSRM events and have found that he and other HSRM leaders present the teaching and ministry of the Holy Spirit in a way that that leads us to be inspired and strengthened. In my role with International Ministries, I attend many conferences, pastor training events, etc., but the presentations of HSRM add heart and inspiration, a welcomed and needed message to ministry leaders today!
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Dr. Ray Schooler, Director of Church Relations, American Baptist International Ministries
Dr. Clay Ford is a gracious leader who connects well with both pastors and church leaders. He is a good preacher who connects the teaching of scripture with where people live. Dr. Ford is one that I believe could come to a local church and bring encouragement and blessing to its pastor and congregation.
– Rev. Dr. Lawrence O. Swain, former Executive Minister, Am Baptist Churches of Ohio
I am glad to recommend Clay Ford to anyone who desires to hear and experience the ministry of one who has been called of the Lord to further understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians and the organizations to which they are a part. The Goshen Baptist Association had Clay be a speaker for a fall 3 day series of meetings sponsored each fall. I also heard him speak at the Green Lake Conference Center of the American Baptist Churches of the USA for a spring pastor’s conference. In both settings he was appreciated for his genuine approach to the subject matter in a way that was irenic and yet to the point. His style allowed for interaction with the groups and thus facilitated the learning and response of the participants. His book,
“Called to High Adventure,” is
an excellent source of information and illustration of how Christians can become more of what the Lord has in mind for them. I was challenged and blessed by both the presentations and the book.
– Victor Shields, former NE Area Minister of the West Virginia Baptist Convention
¡Tremendo! ¡Qué bendición! (Great! What a blessing!) Manolo's reaction to the end of a two-day conference with Clay Ford summed up so many thoughts. As Clay spoke and taught on the Holy Spirit at the Mexicali Baptist Seminary -- young and old, men and women, pastors and church planters, leaders and prospective leaders, all present -- were so glad to be there. Gracias to Clay and Cheri for sharing so much that will undoubtedly have a powerful impact in the lives of leaders and churches throughout Baja, Mexico. -
Dr. Tim Long, American Baptist Missionary/Seminary Professor in Baja, Mexico
We are still receiving words of thank you for inviting the Fords (Clay, Cheri, and Hannah) to our church. Their ministry has changed lives individually and has set a new direction for our church family. We heard Clay share of a faith that must be grounded in the Bible and passionately lived out in the power of the Holy Spirit. In beautiful, orderly services we saw God answer our prayers - healing people, setting them free from addictions and their pasts and being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
–
Rev. Clint Webb,
former Pastor,
Church on the Rock in Oak Harbor, WA
I was skeptical when I heard that Clayton Ford was coming to our Goshen Association meetings to speak about the Holy Spirit. I had read his book, "Called to High Adventure" and had some questions. I can honestly say that Clay Ford was very exciting and knowledgeable on his teachings of the Holy Spirit. It was very enlightening for me as a pastor. I preached several messages after he left on the Holy Spirit and used his book as a reference. I encouraged my people to pick up his book which is in our library of our church and read it. I would have no hesitation on recommend Clay Ford and his teaching on the Holy willing. Thank you Clay Ford for your ministry "and a fresh look at the Holy Spirit and the Spirit filled life."
- Pastor Dan Meadows, M Div, Goshen Baptist Church, Morgantown, WV
We have just spent a weekend of 150 years of celebration of our church. Dr. Clayton Ford our speaker Spirit. I personally am planning on attending one of his series of teachings this coming summer, Lord
was hand-picked by the Holy Spirit to be in our midst. He preaches the truth with power, and the love of God prevails through and through. His sense of humor makes everyone comfortable, setting the stage for the truth to penetrate hearts. Even our elderly people were going up for prayer at the end of the service to receive from the Lord. Thank you, Dr. Ford, for your obedience to God - may He continue to use you all over the country and yes the whole planet!
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Annette Saunders, Pastors wife, Community Baptist Church in Norwalk, CT
I give my highest recommendation for Dr. Clay Ford’s ministry to any church seeking renewal. The weekend of renewal with Dr. Ford was truly an encounter with God. It was
powerful,
and its effects will be long lasting. We also have the sense of being commissioned: we a have a new personal call to evangelism & prayer.
– Dr. Rod Layman, former Pastor of First Baptist Church of Mesa, AZ
Contact information:
Dr. Clayton Ford, PO Box 1963, Spring Valley, CA 91979
Phone/Text: 619-495-0818 (cell)
Blog: The Spirit-Filled Life at claytonford.net
HSRM Website: hsrm.org
Facebook: Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries; Clayton Ford
