TOP PHOTO: Dr. Clarence Duncan was honored at Bethel Baptist Church for 60 years of service in the ministry.  He is pictured with his wife, Jane Duncan. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREA WILSON)

Clarence and Jane Duncan have been married for more than 70 years.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – Most Campbell Countians have either heard or seen Dr. Clarence Duncan on WLAF or in person at Bethel Baptist Church these past four decades. This month marks 60 years of service in the ministry for the 89- year- old Duncan, and he was celebrated by family, friends and parishioners over the weekend.

In the 1960s, he quit the coal business and gave in to the Lord’s strong urging to enter the ministry. “It was a Sunday night at Pruden, Speed Powers was the preacher, when I surrendered to preach at that little church.  It was on the right as you head to Fonde,” Duncan said. The next morning, Duncan headed to Williamsburg and bought air time on WEZJ, and that was his first step in his ministry. On March 16, 1967, he devoted his fulltime to his ministry.

Duncan’s ministry travels started on that radio station and then to churches in Laurel County, Kentucky, a short stint in the mid-1960s at Bethel Baptist Church at Jacksboro, Roane County and finally at Bethel for a second time in 1984.  In between, there were stops at the Kingston Children’s Center, the Dalton, Georgia, Rescue Ministry and Rock of Ages Prison Ministry in Georgia.

From his home studio, Dr. Clarence Duncan broadcasts live over WLAF radio Monday through Friday mornings from 9:30 until 9:45 and has for several decades.

When asked what has carried him all these years, Duncan quickly responded, “Oh, the love of the Lord and my precious wife.  She’s the best.”  The couple married as teenagers and raised seven children.  The couple met in church and was married in that church, Pleasant View Baptist Church on Black Oak Ridge in Anderson County, in 1952.

Duncan, who was born at Clinchmore, was called to Bethel Baptist Church a second time 38 years ago.  He told the church. “I’m selling my home in Dalton, Georgia, to make my home here, and I’ll be here until one of us dies.”

Congratulations, Dr. Duncan on your 60th year of teaching, preaching and leading people to the Lord. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/14/2022-6AM)

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