Clarence E. Wright has been the Senior Pastor of the Love Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia since 2013 where he has served for nearly 25 years.
His life and career have been devoted to public service including; community economic development, homeless advocacy, anti-violence initiatives, service in the local church and international missions on 5 continents. A prophetic voice for the 21st century, his teachings and writings have emphasized the communion of believers, and the call to social uplift by living out the attributes of love. He is a firm believer in “following Jesus into the world” and has worked to break down barriers between the church and the community, and between sacred and secular.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Urban Studies from Temple University, and Master’s degrees in Missional Theology (MA) and Divinity (MDiv) from Biblical Theological Seminary (now Missio Seminary) where he received the MDiv award for outstanding academic achievement and the President’s award for exemplifying the mission of the school. He earned the Doctor of Ministry in Transformative Leadership and Prophetic Preaching at the historic Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.
Pastor Wright is an active member of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, currently serving as Pennsylvania State president and co-founder of the Pennsylvania Progressive Baptist Alliance. Additionally, he serves as President of the Baptist Pastors and Ministers Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity, and chairman of the board for Chosen 300 Ministries an international missions organization with more than 20 locations worldwide. As pastor of Love Zion, he founded the Center for Economic Empowerment a subsidiary nonprofit organization focused on wholistic financial wellness for residents of North Philadelphia and beyond.
Outside of the pulpit he is a published author and poet, and an accomplished gospel organist.
He is the devoted husband of Minister Corinne R. Wright a software engineer, and the proud father of Clover, Lael and Elliott. Most importantly he is a believer and follower of Jesus Christ.