Enterprise-Journal from McComb, Mississippi • Page C001

ENTERPRISE-JOURNAL, McCOMB, MISSISSIPPI www.enterprise-journal.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2007 C1 A Members of the Wilson family are, from left, kneeling, Jacob, Levi, Jonah, Seth; standing, Lana, Allison, Clark, Denise, holding newborn Daniel, Rachel and Luke. The Wilsons live in rural Amite County. AARON RHOADS ENTERPRISE-JOURNAL Amite County family puts faith first in home joyful noise BY KAREN FREEMAN ENTERPRISE-JOURNAL To say that Clark and Denise Wilson ofthe Creek community have a full house would be an understatement. The couple just welcomed their ninth child, Daniel, who was born six weeks early but healthy on July 29. The eight other Wilson children are Allison, 24; Lana, 17; Luke, 14; Jacob, 11; Levi, 10; Jonah, Rachel, and Seth, 3.

Their modest house, rented from parents, John and Inez Bond, has three bedrooms one for the girls, one for the boys and one for the parents and one bathroom. not a television set to be found, and fine with the family. remember the last time we had a Clark said. have time to watch it Lana added. Bible verses and framed spiritual art decorate the walls oftheir home.

Over the piano in the living room is a verse from the book of Psalms: are a gift from God. They are His The Wilsons Clark is 47, Denise, 45 met and married at Creek Baptist Church. Clark graduated from South Pike High School, and Denise finished at Parklane Academy. However, they chose to home-school their children. Only Allison went to public school, attending Osyka Elementary through the fifth grade.

Denise handles most ofthe educational basics, and Allison and Lana help out. found a curriculum we really like and it works for us because it teaches Clark said ofthe Christ-Centered Curriculum. Making the family education decision easy. was a spiritual decision to home-school. Literally, it took months.

It was scary. The first year was the hardest, trying to do what they do at school at he said. Then they found ways to make learning practical in day-to-day life. girls learned fractions in the kitchen, and the boys learned geometry on the job Clark said, adding that his sons sometimes get the special treat ofhelp- ing out their dad at work. all know how to cook, learning how to double and triple On this particular day, however, Alice Wilson helped out so the family could get ready for an interview, sending a lunch ofchicken and dumplings, cornbread and more down-home dishes to her loved ones.

a community-backed Clark said with a laugh. Meal time, he said, is the focal point. They gather at the large kitchen table and eat together three times a day. something you expect to happen every Clark said. feel like the most important thing my wife and I have to do is raise and train children according to Biblical A typical day for Clark begins around 5:30 a.m., when he wakes for some quiet time with scripture.

The rest ofthe family soon joins him for breakfast, and on the road for work by around 8 a.m. If working nearby, he comes home for lunch. Ifthe boys have all their and crossed all their they like to go and help Clark on the job. For the Wilson work to go without a hitch, everyone does his or her part. Ifother people think the parenting situation is out of the norm, Clark believes no different from how many people lived just a few generations ago, when it was common to have very large families.

Though their house is relatively small, the Wilsons seem perfectly at home sharing the space and responsibilities in the home. Clark, son ofthe late Bill and Virginia Wilson, is a self-employed construction worker, skilled in carpentry. Answering a call to the ministry in 1996, he moved his family from Amite County to northern Arkansas, where they went to be summer missionaries and stayed for eight years. There he was pastor at Hickory Creek Baptist Church, and he started Bible Grace Fellowship. While in Arkansas, the Wilsons became acquainted with Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar.

The Duggars were in the national spotlight earlier this month when their 17th child was born. great people, and our families are good Clark said. In fact, Clark helped construct the 7.000-square-foot home in Arkansas. Before the Wilsons returned to Amite County, they spent roughly a year and a halflook- ing for direction. about 18 months, we did- really have an Clark said.

The family spent at least 30 days each in eight different states, including Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Indiana. Now back in Amite County, the Wilsons have found another ministry outlet through music. self-taught on a variety ofinstruments. Allison plays piano and is working to master the fiddle. Luke plays an acoustic bass and harmonica.

Jacob joins in on mandolin, Lana plays guitar, and Clark plays banjo. Lana sings lead in the as-yet unnamed family group. Allison handles the harmony and Clark sings bass. had a banjo for 10 years, dragging it all the way through Arkansas and never played Clark said. Now, the group is beginning to really take shape, and Clark said it has proven to be a great way for the Wilsons to share their faith.

praying for instruments for all he said. learned some traditional bluegrass, but their mainstays are old-time gospel numbers. Favorites include Fly and On the what we do; how we Clark said ofthe second song. Mom Denise is learning the dulcimer, and young Seth chimes in on a small washboard. The other children are learning instruments, as well making the group a real family affair.

The Wilsons play at Creek (Clark said they try not to wear out the congregation there) at area nursing homes and at Beacham Memorial Hospital. Earlier this summer, they performed for the Fifty-Plus Travel Club, which meets monthly in McComb. The performances have evolved into something that audiences, particularly older folks, love. children are what people love to Clark said. Clockwise, from left, Luke Wilson plays bass guitar and harmonica; Allison plays the violin; Clark Wilson plays the banjo with the family at home.

AARON RHOADS ENTERPRISE-JOURNAL.