Marcus Clifton has been our Children, Youth, and Family Coordinator since July 1, 2008. He is passionate about connecting with Jesus, the local community and beyond. Marcus’ vision is to see churched youth grow close to God through serving their community, doing mission work, and learning how to live a life for others like Christ displayed for us.

Shelton natives, Marcus and his wife, Erin, share a vision to see families receive support and spiritual growth as a family. To that end, Marcus’ ministry includes having served with his wife as missionaries through Youth with a Mission from 2001–2008 in San Francisco and Seattle.  

 In San Francisco, the Cliftons pioneered a children’s, youth and family ministry in a very broken, ethnic neighborhood that was plagued with gang violence, drug activity and broken homes. They built a program that served dozens of children and teenagers and started a children’s and youth outreach facility in the neighborhood.

After establishing a ministry in San Francisco, the Clifton’s felt called to Seattle where Marcus helped support many other organizations and ministries in the city by bringing in young people from other parts of North America to serve and share Christ. A lot of his time was spent with youth groups as a guest speaker or ministry trainer.

In the late spring of 2008 Marcus heard about a youth ministry position at the Shelton Presbyterian Church and knew God was opening a door to minister there. Marcus accepted leadership of the Children, Youth and Family Ministry in July and has been extremely busy ever since with two weekly student programs, a number of large yearly events including two week-long mission trips, Kids Camp (day camp) in the summer, and a range of activities including an all-church camp-out, Super Bowl Party, Community Easter Celebration, Community Christmas Celebration and a Family Day connected with Kids Camp to provide opportunities for families to connect and grow together.

Obviously nothing can be done by just one person. There are many members in the church that help make all the children, youth and family ministries happen. There are numerous families that provide meals for the community youth outreach, volunteers that help with our children’s Sunday school program, assistant youth leaders, and many other selfless individuals that put in a lot of effort to sustain the Children, Youth, and Family Ministry.

These programs are always growing and in need for more participation and support. To get involved, please call the church office to contact Marcus Clifton.