It was in March of 1998 at a Minister's Conference in North Carolina, God spoke to my heart there. God told me it was time for me to come out from among the Mississippi & Tennessee Diocese because he had a work for me to do. After hearing from God while in North Carolina, I went and spoke with President General, Bishop Jesse J. White and our National Evangelist of the Church of the Living God, Evangelist Kelvin Ransey. At the time they both advised me to be led by God. God had talked to me many times before March 1998 about coming out, but not as forcefully as he did this time. After speaking with Bishop White and Evangelist Kelvin Ransey, I then returned home to discuss this movement with my wife, and she advised me of the same, to be led by God in my decision making.

On Monday, my wife and I went to speak with my Bishop, Bishop Ollie Robins about what the Lord had been telling me to do. Bishop asked that I stay with Mississippi & Tennessee Diocese until after the State Conference in July and then I could leave. However, after the State Conference in July Bishop then asked me to wait until the General Assembly in October so it may be taken before the Board of Bishops.

In October of 1998 we went to the General Assembly and I presented at that time the desires that God had given me about coming out of the Mississippi & Tennessee Diocese, so that I could effectively perfect the ministry that God had called me into. At that time they desired to make me Bishop, I asked that they allow me to stay under Bishop Ollie Robins for another year or two because I felt within my spirit I wasn't ready. In honoring my request, the Bishop Board allowed me to become a diocese and would monitor my work for a year. Also, if I gained two (2) churches within that year they would ordain me as Bishop.

After returning home I petitioned God for a name of our diocese. One day while on the track, I asked God to give us a name. For the first 1/2 mile that I walked he was silent… Then God gave me the letters, O-S-H. I asked God why did he give me the letters and not words and he said… "Words are made up of letters and then he gave me the name "Outstretched Hands." God said to take this name and he will manifest Himself through this it because His hands are Outstretched to all people, races, and nations. Whether they are down or up, broken or healed, encouraged or discouraged, poor or rich, his hand is outstretched unto them. During the year of 1999 we gained three churches and one Pastor, Truth & Worship, New Life Fellowship, House of Freedom and Pastor John Johnson.

We went back to the Board of Bishops in 1999 and they felt I was ready for the Bishop's position, but I asked them to allow me to continue under Bishop Robins for another year. Bishop Jesse White and Bishop Ollie Robins have both been very encouraging to me as mentors.

In October of 2000 God revealed his manifestation during the General Assembly and I, Bishop Clarence L. Parks, received the position as Bishop of Outstretched Hands Ministry, where I gladly accepted this Holy endeavor to bring forth the purpose of God in Outstretched Hands Ministries Diocese of Mississippi.