The McClurkins (Missionary [Irc] Pete
and Rev. Debra McClurkin) share a passion for evangelism, teaching and discipling. Pete is a retired electrician employed by the
United States Department of Treasury, with over 35 years of service as a
federal employee. Pete is an all-around handyman gifted in carpentry, plumbing,
painting and more. He has used his skills
in ministry to those in need, both foreign and domestic. Pete mentored and evangelized “at risk”
children at E.M. Stanton Elementary School in urban Philadelphia through
Bainbridge House Mentoring Program. Pete
also taught Sunday School and was a Children’s Church minister working with
fellow staff members at Tasker Street Missionary Baptist Church. Pete is a musician who studied music theory and
instruments at Settlement Music School of Philadelphia. He uses his training to minister through
music and teaches youth music and instrument lessons.
Debra is a returning seminarian
at Palmer Theological Seminary, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania as a Master of Divinity
candidate. Debra became a minister of the Gospel in 1991 and was ordained in
2008. She loves to teach theology and biblical
studies at Tasker’s adult Sunday School and Bible Institute, and as an
associate minister, assists their pastor with preaching, leading worship and
encouraging others through her gift of singing.
She has discipled and mentored women in substance recovery, young women
in various communities through a self developed Lil’ Sisters Fellowship, conducted
faith counseling for imprisoned men and women, and served as a grief support
group facilitator/trainer. Debra is a
certified Para Chaplain, and has served as a chaplain’s assistant with a team
of volunteers at Methodist Hospital of Philadelphia, the Youth Study Center of
Philadelphia, for incarcerated youth and Tenwek Missionary Hospital in Bomet
Kenya.
Together the McClurkins have
coordinated and trained work teams for numerous short term mission trips to
Kenya to work with long term missionaries in relief development projects in
remote villages of Ukumbani, assisting medical clinic, HIV/AIDS
Prevention/Education, recreational activities and evangelism for orphans, and
worked with university students in Nairobi serving and evangelizing homeless
individuals. Pete and Debra have served
on the mission field in Mali for one year and in Senegal for 2 years as Guesthouse
and Campsite Managers, Discipling and Church Planting. They were able to develop ministries, mentor
English Clubs, conduct prison ministry, preach and teach, and cultivate
relationships in these 2 developing countries of West Africa. Although Pete and Debra have completed their
3 year commitment in West Africa, they continue to share the call to foreign
missions with the “Body of Christ.” The McClurkins have witnessed many
children, youth and adults come to Christ, grow in the faith, take rolls in
leadership and learn God’s purpose for their lives. All to the Glory of God!