Our Pastor
REV. CLIFTON SPARROW, SR
PASTOR
Rev. Clifton E. Sparrow, Sr. was born on March 28,1953 to the late Paul and Dorothy Sparrow. He is the fourth of eleven children born to his parents. He accepted Christ into his life at an early age while sitting under an apple tree on his family estate. Rev. Sparrow is a loving, caring and devoted husband to his wife, Lyndra and a dedicated father to their four children – Sherron (deceased), Seanna, Samuel and Clifton, Jr. as well as a loving grandfather to their four grandchildren - Brianna, Cameron, Gabrielle and Caden.
Rev. Sparrow received his calling to serve God in the ministry under the leadership of the late Rev. James Dorsey. He preached his initial sermon in May of 1977. He became greatly inspired to continue spreading the gospel by Rev. Samuel Blackstone, who invited him into his pulpit at Elkridge C.C. Church in Elkridge, Maryland. Rev. Sparrow kept the faith and in 1978 he was admitted into the Washington Annual Conference. Through prayer and faith, in 1980 he met all the requirements and was ordained an itinerate deacon. Upon fulfilling the requirements set forth by the board of examiners of the A.M.E. Church, in 1982 he became an ordained elder and he received his first appointment by Bishop John Hurst Adams. He then became the pastor of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Brunswick, Maryland. The congregation was few in numbers, but they stepped out on faith and started renovation of their church. After four years at Ebenezer, Rev. Sparrow was transferred to Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. Church located in Owings Mills, Maryland. The congregation at Mt. Pleasant was also small, but eventually started growing under his fine leadership. Rev. Sparrow’s faith and belief in God has grown even stronger over the years. He constantly instills in his members to “Be Encouraged”. Rev. Sparrow served as Pastor of Mt. Pleasant for 30 years where he presided over more than 200 dedicated members, he then went on to be the 50th Pastor to serve at the Historical Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Baltimore, Md. and then became the Pastor of Grace A.M.E. Church in Catonsville, MD.Rev. Sparrow was asked to do a presentation for a workshop during the 2019 Baltimore Conference. The presentation was on “Faith”; trusting, believing, hoping for something and possessing it because God is and has promised it. Rev. Sparrow has been in Ministry for over 45 years. A few of his favorite songs are “When Peace Like a River”, “If I Can Help Somebody” and “Amazing Grace”. His favorite scripture is Isaiah 40:31. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.“God has Spoken, Let the Church say Amen”
