October 1995 began Elder Gilbert L. Clay, Sr.'s tenure as interim Pastor of Rose Hill Church of God in Christ. He along with his wife and three children tirelessly commuted four hours round trip from Des Moines to Waterloo for one year. After six faithful and hard-fought months, he humbly accepted the responsibility of becoming the sixth pastor of Rose Hill and the first ever to reside in the city of Waterloo.  In December 2014, another edifice was purchased on 3.4 acres and Rose Hill was renamed Miracle Central Church of God in Christ.

 

During the first five years, a local television broadcast was launched and a radio broadcast was revived.  Seeing the need  for free educational support services, he started the Mary Reasby Tutoring Center (MRTC)  in honor of the then oldest member who loved engaging the youth. Pastor Clay also founded the "Victory 1 in Battle Ministries." which is a training for ministers and missionaries.  

 

His resume includes the diligent service in leadership roles of the Iowa Jurisdiction Churches of God in Christ as L.H. Ford District Sunday School Superintendent, L.H. Ford District Public Relations Person, Jurisdictional Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, Jurisdictional Sunday School Superintendent, Jurisdictional Secretary, Jurisdictional AIM Chairman, and member of the Iowa Jurisdictional Ordination Board. Currently, he serves as a member of the Executive Board, Chairman of the Jurisdictional General Assembly and Superintendent of the C.H. Mason District.

 

Pastor Clay is a lover of the Word of God and has taken courses with the John Haggee Bible Institute and C.H. Mason Evangelist Institute.  Through his service to the National Churches of God in Christ, Inc. and local churches, he pioneered a Sunday School Teacher’s Certification Program and was appointed one of the first seven International Regional Sunday School Superintendents.  In 2014, he was selected as one of " COGIC'S 100 Most Influential Pastors."  His heart and service are dedicated to motivating, educating and empowering people through the Word of God as he conducts various workshops across the country. His love for ministry and teaching reach well beyond geographical, denominational, cultural, social-economical and ethnic boundaries.  He married the love of his life in 1980, and enjoys being a father to his three adult children and one daughter-in-love, and seven grandchildren; he is God’s servant!