Who We Are
Ministry is done by people, not by an organization. That is why we want to
help you think of us in terms of “who we are” as much as you do in terms of
“what we do.” This page is a brief introduction to the people of Whole Heart
Ministries. They’re all glad to meet you!
Clay Clarkson
Clay, the full-time Executive Director of Whole Heart Ministries, accepted Christ at a Campus Crusade for Christ event at the University of Texas and joined the staff of the organization upon graduation in 1975. After leaving staff to pursue a music ministry for several years, he began studies at Denver Seminary in 1981. His 6-year friendship with Sally, who had been assigned to Denver at the same time, became a lifelong commitment of marriage on August 30, 1981. For the first 12 years of marriage, Clay ministered as a worship leader, single adults pastor, and adult ministries pastor with churches in Austria, California, and Tennessee. He moved back to Texas in 1993 to begin Whole Heart Ministries in an old farmhouse on family property in central Texas. In the spring of 1999, Clay was able to move his family back to Colorado, where their life as a family began. Clay is first of all a writer, but also enjoys song-writing and acoustic guitar; creative and outdoor activities with his children; strong English Breakfast tea; and indulging in Sally’s homemade whole wheat cinnamon rolls.
Sally Clarkson
Sally is, first and foremost, a full-time, stay-at-home-schooling mom. Her life revolves around her four wholehearted children—Sarah, Joel, Nathan and Joy. In addition to her ministry to her family, God has also given her a ministry to other families, and to homeschooling mothers, through speaking and writing. Sally grew up in Texas and New Mexico, accepted Christ personally her freshman year at Texas Tech University, was active with Campus Crusade for Christ during college, and joined staff upon graduation in 1975. She ministered at the University of Texas, lived and ministered in Eastern Europe under Communist rule, and returned to Denver to work with executive women and singles, and with Clay, whom she married a year later. She has always been active in discipling women, and began a churchbased homeschool support group in Nashville that is still active. Through Whole Heart Ministries, she has ministered alongside Clay as a writer, speaker and discipler. Sally enjoys the beauty of Colorado and hiking the forest trails around her home; good books of all kinds; strong English tea in a fine china cup; baking whole wheat bread; and being with family and friends.
The Clarkson Children
Sarah (May 21, 1984) is a young woman with a heart for God, home and ministry. Her first book, Journeys of Faithfulness, is a reflection of her love for literature and writing, and for being a godly influence. She speaks with Sally at ministry conferences, and is working on new books for future publication. Joel (November 19, 1986) is a creative young man with a wide range of interests. He is a talented guitarist, and a growing singer and songwriter. He reads widely in many topics, and is interested in computer graphics and video production. Nathan (April 19, 1989) is an active young teen who loves performing. He is a talented gospel "magician" using stage illusions and effects to communicate truth. He also is an avid reader, a writer of imaginative stories, and loves making digital videos. Joy (May 26, 1995) is a delightful, slightly precocious, very conversational, constantly creative child. She writes poetry, designs and edits her own "newsletters," and loves reading and learning. Finally, there's Kelsey (May 1, 1998), a Golden Retriever, our wholehearted family dog.