Bishop Donald O. Clay
The Apostle

John 13: 34-35 quotes Jesus saying 

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

This is the command that governs the life and ministry of Bishop Donald O. Clay, Jr. He has said that he wants his epitaph to be that he had a passionate love for God and God’s people. His love has grown consistently since he began preaching at the age of fifteen in Cincinnati, Ohio and has manifested itself in many ways over the more than 25 years since he birthed Petra International Ministries in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Bishop Clay has a passionate and unfailing heart toward the people of God. He firmly believes that the body of Christ is purposed to be an energizing and righteous force in the world bringing about love, unity, prosperity, justice, and reconciliation. This belief has guided Bishop in shaping a Ministry committed to outreach, empowerment of the disenfranchised, and the demonstration of the power of kingdom principles to change lives, families, and communities.

A faithful and consummate worshiper, Bishop Clay has a strong apostolic anointing that empowers him to challenge the status quo in order to establish and advance God’s Kingdom in the earth. Through his life of worship and revelatory teaching, thousands have come to the Lord, resulting in restored families, empowered believers and most of all, unity through love.

With Bishop Clay and his wife Lisa, strong family is a critical foundation stone in successful ministry. They are blessed with a wonderful son and daughter, their spouses and four precious grandchildren, that all love God. Likewise, in Petra International Ministries, they have established a family filled with love and acceptance, where spiritual sons and daughters are discovering their true identity and achieving their God given purpose and destiny through Christ Jesus.

Elder Connie Balthrop

Elder Connie’s early years were spent in Richmond, Virginia where she and her 4 siblings were raised and where, at a young age, she received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She attended Virginia State University as an accounting major and following graduation, spent the ensuing 24 years in the corporate world beginning in public accounting (where she obtained her CPA certificate), moving to financial and general management positions in the communications industry (radio broadcasting and cable television), and finally, ownership and management of 3 successful commercial radio properties in Milwaukee, Wis., and Jacksonville, Fla.

She is convinced that God was providing her with diverse marketplace experiences that would later be used for kingdom building. Just such an opportunity presented itself in 1999 when Connie was asked to spearhead the economic development efforts of Petra International Ministries through its social service and economic development affiliate, Operation Nehemiah.

Elder Connie’s prophetic gifting has fueled her passionate pursuit of ever-increasing intimacy with Christ as she leads Petra’s Prophetic Ministry and believes God for an anointed prophetic presbytery to be birthed from Pittsburgh. Connie is an Administrative Elder and she is a member of the leadership team of W.O.V.E.N., Petra’s Women’s Ministry.

She is married to the love of her life, Elder Jim Balthrop, and has 3 purposed sons, Marcus, Darius, and Gerald, 5 gifted grandchildren, and 4 beautiful great-grandchildren.

Elder Arthur “Jim” Balthrop

It seems that from childhood, Elder Jim has had an entrepreneurial spirit, which has led to a number of business ventures over many years including restaurants, a grocery store, and numerous smaller ventures. Little did he know at the outset that God was preparing him for conducting kingdom business!

Elder Jim is skilled in project management, organizational development, and strategic planning and he brings all of these skills to bear in his position as Chief Operating Elder of Petra International Ministries. In this position, he is responsible for the day to day operations of the ministry, reporting to Bishop Donald Clay and the Administrative Elders of Petra.

Elder Jim’s passion is to see a proliferation of business ventures within the body of Christ utilizing kingdom principles that will become a source of liberation and prosperity for families and communities. He believes that there is a legacy of successful, godly life principles that must be transferred to our children so that cycles of oppression, poverty, and dependency can be broken for generations to come.

Elder Vanessa Davis

Elder Vanessa would say that it has been through the leading of the Holy Spirit that she discovered her passion and calling in life. As a teenage mother with both parents deceased, she knows firsthand what it is to have the odds stacked against you and the enormous temptation to give up and quit.

She now realizes it was during those early years that God was developing compassion and forging the spirit of an overcomer deep within. Through God’s grace, she went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh, graduate from Harty Bible School, study at Centers for Urban Biblical Ministries (CUBM), and most recently, become certified in “Prayer Counseling” through Elijah House Ministries. Because of God’s love and her faith in the “transforming” power of His word to renew your mind and set you free, she stands ready to encourage, equip and empower others to overcome their deepest fears, walk-in purpose, and experience the amazing riches of His love and grace!

Elder Vanessa provides oversight for the Education Ministry (New Members), Storehouse Ministry (offering teams), Internal Impact (Women’s ministry), and Broken Wings Restored (a Ministry of healing, deliverance, and restoration). She is blessed with a devoted daughter~ Nicole McCauley and the loving support of an amazing family.

A favorite scripture is of hers is Psalms 27: 13-14 - “I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart; wait I say on the Lord”.

Elder Kathy D. Evans

Elder Kathy D. Evans, a Pittsburgh native, is a graduate of Westinghouse High School and The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.  Her flair for interior design is evident throughout Petra International Ministries through her interior design work that graces just about every space within the building!  As our ministry grows and expands, she brings just the right atmosphere to each place with colors, textures, and styles that invite the presence of the Lord.  It’s no wonder then, that she also helps set the spiritual atmosphere as she provides leadership to the Intercessory Prayer Ministry and the Hospitality Ministry.

Elder Kathy has been a member of Petra International Ministries for 18 years and has come to embrace her prophetic giving.  Her calling is to minister to young adult women, which she does through Daughters of Destiny, and her passion is to one day have a home for young women in need of coverage and support.

Elder Kathy has two children, Benny and Brooke, and two beautiful granddaughters, Brianna and Arianna.

Elder Kathy is in full-time ministry and, in addition to covering the Hospitality Ministry, Intercessory Prayer Ministry, and the Daughters of Destiny, serves as Administrative Assistant to Bishop Clay.

Elder Philip Greene

Elder William I. Johnson

Elder William Johnson is a native of Pittsburgh.  His roots are near and dear to the East Hills community where Petra is located.  As a child, he grew up just minutes away from the former Zayres Department Store, now home to Petra International Ministries.  His mother purchased his 5th-grade graduation outfit from the store. Little did they know that 30 years later he would be ordained as an Elder and commissioned to walk out his calling in the same building!

Elder Will’s father named him William Isaiah, which speaks to his calling to stand on the wall as an intercessor and prophet of the Lord.  He is called to the nations.  Through spiritual insights, spoken and written word, Elder Will’s passion is to uplift those who are broken and help reveal purpose in the lives of others.

Elder Will did his undergraduate studies at Morgan State University and graduate studies at Duquesne University.  He has worked as an IT professional for nearly 20 years. 

Elder Will enjoys long distance running and has completed 9 full marathons and still counting!

He is married to his beautiful wife, Maisha, and they have a gifted and beautiful daughter, Cali.

Elder Will serves as covering for Petra’s Altar & Deliverance Ministry and the Young Adult Ministry.

Elder Nellie Mells

Elder Nellie is one of the founding members of Petra.  She gave her life to Christ in 1985 and it has never been the same. The grace of God has allowed Elder Nellie to become “more than a conqueror”.  Though it was challenging, God ordered her steps to further her education, including earning an MBA and a CPCM certification in Government Contracting.

God has blessed her to retire from her position in the marketplace as the Small Business Liaison Officer for her employer where she was responsible for managing the company’s Small Business Program. In her position, she assisted those that had been historically underrepresented in receiving government contracts (minorities, women, and veterans) to gain access to the millions of dollars being subcontracted annually. She retired with over 30 years of experience in Government Contracts. She also serves on the local Board of Advisors of the National Contract Management Association.

Her passion is for “Restoration of Family”, one of the areas of the Petra Vision.  Her pastoral gifting is exercised as the Elder of Covering for the following ministries: Just A Prayer Away, Baptism, and the Boots on the Ground Women’s Ministry. She also serves in the Homegoing Ministry and manages the Solution Hotline. God has called her to administer healing, compassion, and deliverance to others by being a living example that “You can do all things through Christ!”

The love of her family is second only to her love for God and she finds joy in spending time with them–especially her grandchildren.

Elder Dan Shorthouse

Elder Dan Shorthouse is a licensed electrician and an educator with over 25 years of high school, vocational education, and workforce development experience.  He is a skilled craftsman in woodworking and construction and has spent over 30 years in the electrical field as a small business owner, project manager, estimator, and electrician. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Science degree and is certified in vocational education by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Dan is an ordained minister, serving as the Elder of covering for Missions at Petra International Ministries.

Elder Dan has been married for 36 years to his wife, Deacon ZoeAnna, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and is certified in K-12 music education.  Deacon ZoeAnna also has over 11 years of experience in the healthcare profession.  She has served in music ministry her whole life as a flutist and vocalist.  

In 2018, Elder Dan and Deacon ZoeAnna accepted an assignment to serve as missionaries in Cambodia alongside SEAPC (South East Asia Prayer Center).  They will be working in Cambodia to help develop vocational education on the high school level in the province of Banteay Meanchey.

Elder Roland Slade

Roland is a retired master’s degree Social Worker with more than 10 years of experience working with youth and adult males who have had contact with the Juvenile Justice System or have been incarcerated. Roland graduated from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work with his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Roland’s experience with adjudicated youth has been an extensive one and includes residential youth home advisor, staff supervisor, and program director. Roland’s focus for both youth and adult males is a holistic approach, which includes a critical spiritual component, as the foundational base of recovery and establishing support systems.

Roland’s God-given passion is solving the violence dilemma confronting our youth and young adults, as it destroys their futures and our communities. Roland has worked with youth and young adult gang members, sets, and groups that are most “at-risk” of becoming the victims of a violent crime or perpetrators of violence against someone else.

Roland believes strongly in the reintegration of incarcerated men back into their communities as productive citizens and in seeing families made whole and healthy. He is driven in his efforts to assist men to find their way back to becoming the responsible men, husbands, and fathers that God created them to be. His ever-growing personal relationship with God has produced a faith in him that assures him that: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) and he shares this belief with every man that God has called him to minister empowerment and freedom to.

Elder Roland is the covering for A Hand Up Ministry, a men’s ministry that addresses the needs of men through spiritual mentoring, and the Gate Keepers, a collection of dedicated men who serve on Sundays and during church events meeting, greeting, and assuring the safety of the saints and visitors as they enter the House of God.

Elder William J. Thompson, Jr.

Elder William “Bill” Thompson is a Pittsburgh native and a graduate of Schenley High School. A masterful builder, Elder Bill was the owner of Balm General Construction Company, which he formed in 1998 and was contracted by numerous local organizations like the Carnegie Mellon University. Bill has since retired into full-time ministry.

Elder Bill received the salvation of Jesus Christ 24 years ago and has never ceased to grow in his relationship with Christ through his study at the Greater Works Bible School, where he was ordained minister in 2017 and ordained reverend in 2018. Bill also became a youth life skills coach in 2012.

Elder Bill is the proud father of five children, Omar Weathers, Dawn Thompson, Kevin Manns, Kayla Robinson, and Bill Thompson III.

Elder Bill fully embraces his giftings as a teacher and seeks to impart wisdom and enlightenment to the men of Petra International Ministries as he provides covering for the Men’s Ministry.

Elder Timothy Walker

Elder Tim is gifted in many areas, most particularly in the area of audio/visual technology, and he, therefore, is charged with the design, maintenance, and operation of Petra’s sound and recording systems. Additionally, Elder Tim provides oversight to the management of Petra’s building facility.

His proficiency in these areas led to the establishment of his own business, PAVS, through which he provides technical services to numerous ministries both in Pittsburgh and nationwide.

His most significant gift, however, is the gift of love that he distributes liberally throughout this ministry flowing out of his pastoral gifting. It is this gift that enables him to provide oversight to most of the service ministries of Petra, assuring that each and every member is loved, supported, ministered to, and receives the loving “touch” of family whenever and wherever needed. He gives his time and talents unselfishly to assure that the most vulnerable in our family, particularly the elderly, receive the support and assistance they need.

In addition to being one of Petra’s Administrative Elders, Elder Tim also provides covering to Petra’s Youth Ministry, where the spirit of a loving, caring, and protective father is demonstrated to our children through a variety of youth programs.

Elder Tim’s passion is creating a family atmosphere of love and unity that provides healing and wholeness to all.

Elder Thaylor Whitley

Elder Thaylor is a Pittsburgh native and a graduate of Westinghouse High School and the University of Pittsburgh. Thaylor is a founding member of Petra International Ministries beginning as a Saturday volunteer, moving to service as a Deacon, then Minister, and currently serving as an Elder. It was during his service as a Deacon that his Pastoral gifting was first revealed.

Elder Thaylor received the gift of salvation in 1992 and has grown in his relationship with and faith in God. Elder Thaylor’s passion is to serve God by serving His people. He is called to Ministry as oversight of the Spiritual Counseling Ministry and the Deaconate Ministry. He also serves as a sound technician for the Sight and Sound Ministry.

Elder Thaylor has been blessed to have a variety of rewarding work experiences including work as a professional musician, a sales manager, a letter carrier, and building cars at the former Volkswagen plant.

He has 1 son, 8 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and many spiritual children.

Elder Mattie Woods

Elder Mattie Woods is a retired CEO with over 25 years of community health administrative experience. She has more recently brought her network of community and business outreach experiences to the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh where she is helping students at The Community College of Allegheny County and connecting and supporting a stream of people to enter apprenticeships and trades.

Serving the people and helping to improve community health is important to Elder Mattie and leads to her service on several boards and committees: East Liberty Family Health Care Center, Lincoln, Lemington Enhanced Housing (Dorothy Day Apartments), Not Forgotten, Divine Intervention Ministry (reentry), the Faith-Based Health Collaborative (Advisory Committee), University of Pittsburgh Community Research Advisory Board, the Staunton Farm Foundation, the Allegheny County Community Family Health committee, Operation Nehemiah and the Shady Lane School Board.

Elder Mattie is excited about covering We Care Packages Ministry (Women’s Ministry), the Senior “Forever Young” Ministry, Petra Health Ministry, and our Fellowship Ministry. Elder Mattie thanks God for her amazing husband of 50 years, Gerald, two sons Gerald Jr. and his wife, Lydia, and Gemal and his wife, Erica, and two grandchildren, Excel and Truth.

Elder Mattie has received the AKA Women of Distinction Award, the Circle of Courage Award, the Healthy Start Volunteer of the Year Award, Program Research and Development Award, the Allen Place “Excellence in Building Community Partnerships” Award, and the Lincoln Lemington Teen and Adult Programs Award.