The Reverend Douglas Parham, pastor of Community Church of God in Black Jack, was recently elected president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition. He replaces the outgoing president, the Rev. Sammie Jones, and will serve a three-year term.
The purpose of the organization is to address community issues, such as health care, housing, employment and violence prevention. It was formed 19 years ago.
A graduate of Washington University, the Rev. Parham is an active member in a number of church and civic organizations and previously served as vice president and secretary of the Clergy Coalition. He becomes president at a time when the coalition and other community groups have effectively partnered on initiatives that respond to critical issues facing the community.
One such collaboration is Project Clergy C.A.R.E.S. (Community Action for Renewal and Effective Solutions), a collaboration with the United Way of Greater St. Louis that began in April 2001. This initiative includes a series of programs that work with young adults and families as well as the criminal justice system and health care providers. Other initiatives include the Good Shepherd Program, Community-Law Enforcement Agenda, Church Mentor Corps and Making a Way.
