I came to know Steve Clark as someone who could detect people's leadership potential, and foster and promote that leadership. That's precisely what he did in my case – to foster my leadership gift and encourage me to exercise it. This is the same thing Steve has done with many, many people throughout several decades. He is able to transmit spiritual life to new leaders. 

This is one of the reasons why I believe that Steve has a charism not only as a founder but as a father. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:15, "Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel." I think this describes Steve's relationship to us in the Sword of the Spirit – we have perhaps had many leaders, many who have helped us to grow and to shape our communities. But the one who gave life to us as a community of communities, through a foundational charism from the Holy Spirit, is Steve. 

I personally consider that he has the spiritual stature of some of the founders of great movements in the history of the church such as Anthony of the Desert and Benedict of Nursia. In my view, Steve, as a founder and a teacher, has the stature of a church father. Perhaps only the future history of the church will be able to make an objective appraisal of Steve's spiritual weight, but I am proud to honor him, with no doubt whatsoever, as the father of the Sword of the Spirit, the father of covenant community, and, in fact, my spiritual father. 

[Carlos Alonso Vargas has served in the past as President of the Sword of the Spirit. He is a Coordinator of Comunidad Arbol de Vida, in San Jose, Costa Rica.] 

> A Great Man of God, by Jean Barbara
> A Vision for Christian Community, a brief overview of Steve's life by Michael Shaughnessy
> A Founder and Spiritual Father, by Carlos Vargas
> Ecumenical Contribution, by Paul Dinolfo
> Steve's Generous Investment, by Andy Kebe

> Books by Steve Clark
> Articles by Steve Clark in Living Bulwark