Reverend Dr. Clay Evans, son of A. Henry and Estanuly Evans, was born June 23, 1925 in Brownsville, Tennessee. This history maker has been married to Lutha Mae Hollinshed for seventy-four years and they are the proud parents of five children.

Ordained as a Baptist Minister in 1950, this illustrious Founding Pastor of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago, Illinois, is received internationally as a pioneer, church father, and ministerial pacesetter. His work has earned him countless citations, accolades and honors including, many Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degrees from various institutions of higher learning throughout the country.

Reverend Dr. Clay Evans has been responsible for launching the ministerial careers of ninety-three people, including Mother Consuella York, the first female to be ordained in the Baptist Denomination in Chicago. He has been a leader in the Civil Rights Movement since 1965. He is the Founding National Board Chairman of the Rainbow (PUSH) Coalition (Founded by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.) holding this position for five years (1971-1976).

He is the Founding President of the Broadcast Ministers’ Alliance of Chicago (BMA), Founding President and Chairman of the African American Religious Connection (AARC) (1989 to 2006) and board member of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. Inc.

Dr. Evans’ unmistakable voice has been heard on many albums with the awarding winning Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Combined Choirs, and Recording Choir of the African American Religious Connection (AARC).

Dr. Evans is an accomplished author who has penned several books which provide authentic wisdom and spiritual inspiration. Some of them include: From Plough Handle to Pulpit, A Chat with the Elder, Gateway to an Abundant Life, and a book of Sermons of Inspiration entitled “It is No Secret What God Can Do.”

Dr. Evans retired on December 8, 2000 as the Pastor of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church passing the mantle to his personally groomed successor Reverend Charles Jenkins. Dr. Evans went home to glory in November 2019.