Some time in the late 1980's, Lloyd Coleman began calling Frank Clem by the name of Clemency. As time passed Frank realized that in the same fashion that a state Governor may grant clemency to an inmate on death row, commuting the death penalty to a life sentence, so also, the Great Governor Jesus releases sinners from the wages of sin, commuting the spiritual death penalty to a life sentence in service for Him, He grants Clemency. Frank realized that God had written mercy on his name, and decided his future work in the Kingdom of God would be known as Clemency. Although the concept had been conceived several years earlier and plans had been made, Frank believed his release was to be the turning point from preparation to public ministry. Clemency Ministries was born on July 8, 1992, the day that Frank was released from prison.
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In the beginning, Frank visited local churches singing his songs and sharing his testimony.
Step by step he began to also visit jails, soup kitchens, and deprived neighborhoods, and nursing homes, children’s homes, hospitals, and so on – he has even used his dog, Lucky, in several functions.
Within a year after being released from prison, Frank was appointed as Chaplain of a youth detention facility near Montgomery, and was also conducting worship services in local prisons.
He also continued to conduct and participate in various religious and inspirational functions.
Eventually, he left that chaplaincy to focus on regular, systematic prison ministry, and other ministry activities as well.
At the time the prison ministry was named RECON, recognizing it as a division of Clemency Ministries.
As a soloist and speaker he was simply known as Frank Clem, and his ministry was known as Clemency Ministries, or simply Clemency.
In 1995, he joined the Central Alabama Southern Gospel Music Association (CASGMA) as a soloist, simply using his name, Frank A. Clem.
However, he had worked with other musicians and ministers on numerous occasions, and in 1996, Frank registered with CASGMA as a music group named Clemency, listing three members: himself, Jeff Martin, and Angela Williams.
It was a loosely fit group allowing each member to continue as individual ministers and participants in separate activities, but also conveyed a message of versatility and cooperation.
Over the years the members have changed for various reasons, but the mission and ministry continues – to bear witness to the wonderful works of God in both word and song.
Having recorded two albums and participated in a myriad of musical and ministerial functions, Clemency has established solid local recognition.
Invitations to speak, conduct revivals and concerts, and perform other ministry work increased. With accompanying offerings, stipends, tape sales, etc.
it seemed plausible that the foreseeable future held potential for full time employment. In 1996, Clemency Ministries was incorporated for a brief period of time as a for profit corporation.
However, after a few short months, and some advice from counselors and accountants, the corporation was abolished in favor of operating as a DBA (Doing Business As) identity.
Plans for publishing Bible lessons, evangelical pamphlets, inspirational books, cassette devotions and books, and other media products were also in the planning phases,
Frank originally intended the publishing arm of Clemency Ministries to be known as Decapolis, but later thought better of it.
In time, the idea of several divisions with various names suggested that identity could be diffused.
The possibility of authoring confusion brought conviction, and the decision was made to drop all trade names except for Clemency.
Decapolis became the name of the first album by Clemency, and is also now the name of a specific routine program – it is Frank’s testimonial program,
named after the city where the man delivered of the Legion began publishing his testimony.
RECON now designates a systematic rehabilitative process that is administered by Clemency with individuals in trouble with the authorities,
on probation or parole, and in the prisons and jails – it is a ministry of reconciliation.
In the fall of 2003, Frank published his first book, Maxim-ize Your Life, a publication of Clemency.
And, in January of 2005, Frank applied to the United States Patent and Trademark Office to make Clemency a registered trademark.
What does the future hold for Clemency? Only God knows the ultimate truth.
We simply believe we will continue following the Spirit's leading to witness, comfort, and encourage.
