Church Plays Major Role in Mayor’s Life

COURT HOUSE – Is the generosity and volunteer spirit of people such as Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Dr. Albert Schweitzer or Mother Angelica something they are born with or something they were taught? That question was posed recently to a local leader who exhibits those same qualities of generosity and a spirit of volunteerism. He is Michael Clark, mayor of Middle Township. 
The Herald met him in his Mechanic Street office to ask where those qualities originated. To answer, Clark journeyed back to his New England childhood. He came from a “mixed marriage” of sorts. His mother was a Baptist and his father a devout member of the Church of Christ, a small non-denominational congregation.
There were about 100 members in the parish in Vermont where he grew up. Clark was a song leader. His father, mother and grandfather all took their faith seriously and actively participated.
They also took part in community life by volunteering for the fire company and other civic organizations. After high school graduation, Clark enrolled at Harding University, a Disciples of Christ-sponsored school in Searcy, Ark.
There he met his first wife who was from Green Creek. “And that is how I came to be here.” His first job was at Kona Sports, Wildwood but during his quarter decade here he has had many jobs. No matter how he made his living his faithfulness to the church remained constant.
In Court House, the Church of Christ is at 102 E. Pacific Ave. He is still song leader. More important than the joy he derives from singing and praise music his faith has guided him through personal trials and hard times.
“My parents and grandparents were both married for over 50 years and I always believed in the sacredness of marriage and never thought of divorce,” he said. But it takes two to keep a marriage together and when his first wife decided she wanted to leave he was devastated.
“We had a 3-year-old daughter and I wanted to save the marriage,” Clark recalled. His wife did not and so began a dark period for the usually-sunny Clark. Virtue is forged in suffering and Clark learned a lot from the experience.
“The experience made me more compassionate and less judgmental,” he said. He sought the guidance of his church and his trust in God grew. “Where would you be without God? I asked myself,” Clark said, adding “And where without friends?”
Calvin Back befriended him and that is how Clark volunteered for the Court House Fire Company. “I’ve been doing it for 22 years and I think it is important to give back to the community where you live.”
Over time wounds healed. Hard work, his faith, and a compassionate spirit won him the support of friends such as Phil Winter and John Radzieta.
Then he met his second wife through his job at Sturdy Savings Bank in 1995. They married in 1996. It was a second chance for both.
When Clark speaks of his wife of 20 years his face lights up and voice softens. “When you go through a crisis or tragedy you have the chance to learn a lot. He learned to have a positive attitude and he gained insight into the suffering of others.
“Marriage takes work and commitment. When we don’t agree on something we agree to disagree without rancor,” he said.
Working in the community he came to realize “A lot of people right here are hurting. I wanted to do something but I never considered running for office.”
It was Sen. Jeff Van Drew who convinced him to run. “He told me that more good people need to get involved with running their government. I didn’t like the stigma of being a politician, “Clark said.
It would be a huge commitment of time and serious problem solving. Clark sought counsel from his family and his faith. He got his answer.
“They reminded me that I’m a servant. I’m a person that’s here to serve. I’m a volunteer,” he declared. So he threw his hat in the ring as a Democrat and won a seat on Middle Township Committee. Now he’s mayor.
He then tells the story of his grandfather Harold who even in his later years took it upon himself to solve the problems he ran into sometimes with comedic results.
“One day when my grandfather, Harold, was out he came upon an underpass that was choked with overgrown bushes, weeds, and debris. He decided to clean up the mess and cut down the overgrowth. Then he thought it was a good idea to burn it right then and there under the bridge,” Clark chuckles recalling the incident. “He shut down traffic.” Occasional mishaps notwithstanding, Clark values his service attitude which he credits his family for instilling in him. He hopes that he and Vicky have instilled some of that in their own two daughters, Morgan and Sarah.
“It bothers me a little that the kids are not as church going but you have to let your kids find their own way.” From his own experience, Clark knows that almost all people realize they need a spiritual home sometime.” They realize they need their Church. They need God. Life is tough.”
He also would like to see folks take a day a week, traditionally Sunday, to spend with God and family. ”I know people are busy but taking the time to refresh and connect with God, your family and the community would benefit the whole society and not just themselves,” he said.
Every day Clark takes the time to renew his mind by listening to a podcast called “Our Daily Bread.”
It’s something simple and easy and focuses him on the important things in life.
The Herald asked for his insights on the drug epidemic plaguing the country and county.
“My heart bleeds for those people,” he said. “As a society we need to face reality. We need to educate people and let them know there is help.” 
He added, “We as a community, need to get back to church, serving each other and family values. People don’t always like to hear that but it would help alleviate a lot of our problems in this country.”
When asked what, besides his wife, what were his two favorite loves he does not hesitate to answer, “I love being a grandpa,” although looking at him it is hard to believe he is old enough, and “I love singing.”
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey @cmcherald.com. 
ED. NOTE: Faith and religion are important facets in the Cape May County community. The author plans to do stories on various aspects of religion and what impact it has on those who practice it. She encourages those with ideas on subjects to email her at hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com for consideration.