The Clawsons: A Journey of Faith, Service, and Miracles in Denver
By Hallie Pike, Boulder Stake Media Specialist
In the heart of the Denver North Mission, President Charles Clawson and Sister M’Recia Clawson are leaving a profound impact on the lives of both their missionaries and the community. Their journey in Denver has been marked by faith, resilience, and unwavering trust in God—a journey that has shaped them into the mission leaders they are today.
A Call to Serve
The Clawsons left behind their familiar lives in Las Vegas, Nevada to volunteer their time to serving the people of Colorado. President Clawson, a former missionary in Norway, and Sister Clawson, who served in Virginia, embraced their new calling with great enthusiasm and gratitude. Overseeing nearly 250 missionaries, their mission is not just about preaching—it’s about nurturing, guiding, and supporting young missionaries in their spiritual and personal growth, and service in the community.
Since moving here, the Clawsons have witnessed miracles as individuals searching for faith have been guided—sometimes quite literally—to the doors of their churches. Stories abound of people feeling an unexplainable pull to step inside, leading to profound spiritual transformations.
Trials and Trust in God
Their journey in Denver has not been without hardship. The Clawsons were initially called to serve in the Norway Oslo Mission. However, their plans took an unexpected turn when President Clawson was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma shortly after receiving their call. The devastating news came with a grim prognosis—he was given only a few days to live. But instead of succumbing to despair, the Clawsons chose to trust in God’s plan.
Faced with such a life-altering trial, President Clawson made a conscious decision: he would not ask ‘why’ but instead ask ‘what’—what could he learn, what could he do, and how could he turn to Christ for strength? With faith, fervent prayers, and widespread fasting from friends, family, and fellow missionaries across the world, he miraculously recovered. They were given a new mission in Denver—one they have embraced wholeheartedly.
Faith in the Face of Adversity
Their faith was tested once again when President Clawson’s cancer returned after they had settled into their mission in Colorado. Many would see this as a setback, but for the Clawsons, it was another mountain to climb in the land of Colorado’s towering 14ers. Sister Clawson’s steadfast reminder to “trust God” became their guiding principle. With this renewed trust, they embarked on another round of treatment, witnessing yet another miracle as the tumors disappeared within months.
Through it all, President Clawson remained committed to his mission, using his personal struggles as a way to inspire and connect with the young missionaries under his stewardship. One missionary, managing her own chronic illness, found comfort in the visual of her mission president standing with his chemotherapy bag beside her insulin pump—both of them pressing forward in their shared purpose. His resilience has become a rallying cry for his missionaries: no matter the struggle, press forward with faith, and God will provide the way.
A Legacy of Service and Love
The Clawsons’ impact goes beyond their missionaries. They emphasize the sacredness of baptism and the importance of creating a welcoming, dignified atmosphere for those entering into covenants with God. Their missionaries have been inspired by their leadership and commitment to excellence and reverence in all they do.
Above all, the Clawsons have instilled in their missionaries and their community a love for service, a trust in God’s plan, and a recognition of the miracles that faith can bring. Their hope is that the citizens of Denver, whether members of the church or not, will strengthen their relationship with Christ and experience the joy of discipleship.
As their mission continues, their prayer remains simple yet profound: that each missionary under their guidance will leave with an unshakable faith, an unbreakable bond with Christ, and a deep love for the people and place they have served. The Clawsons’ journey has been one of trials and triumphs, but through it all, they have exemplified what it means to trust God and press forward in faith.
To hear more about their journey and experiences so far, you can listen to this podcast episode detailing the miracles they’ve seen and lessons they’ve learned through their service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fME62V8JlVk
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