Meet the Pastor
Alan was raised in North Carolina and graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Business. Prior to starting The Ark Church, he served for 10 years in volunteer leadership under founding Pastor John Osteen at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. During that time, he worked as a sales and marketing executive, including 7 years at Administaff, a well known Houston-based company. Joy is a Miami native, has a background with special needs children, yet feels her true calling is to “pray for the church.” Alan and Joy were married in 1982 and have three children, Matt, Christina and Michael.
Alan and Joy Clayton founded The Ark Church with two other couples in June of 1996. The first service was held at the Conroe Montessori Center with 27 people.
Though limited on space and funds that first day they have never wavered on the vision God gave them.
“Noah prepared an ark for the saving of households...”
— HEBREWS 11:7
Today The Ark Church ministers to thousands each weekend. Even though the church has grown large, Alan and Joy have a heart to make a difference in the lives of each individual that becomes a part of what God is doing at The Ark.