Pastor dies from injuries suffered during robbery

Pastor dies from injuries suffered during robbery

ST. PETERS – C.K. McClain, Sr., a 78-year-old Baptist pastor who was beaten and robbed following Sunday morning services Jan. 11 at Broadway Baptist Church , St. Louis , died from his injuries March 7.

McClain, who never regained consciousness, was a long-time member of First Baptist Church , St. Peters . His funeral was March 12 at the church.

“I would ask Missouri Baptists, if they’re asked about this pastor dying, to say, ‘Isn’t God good? Isn’t He gracious and wonderful?’" said Curtis McClain, Jr., professor of religion and chairman of the humanities division at Missouri Baptist College and a contributing columnist to The Pathway. “I can assure them that our hearts have a peace that passes understanding. I have felt like I have been wheeled through life for the last eight weeks. It’s almost been effortless and seamless."

St. Louis police suspect that a transient beat the pastor in the downstairs kitchen of Broadway Baptist sometime around midday Jan. 11, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Police believe he was struck in the head with a coffee jar. The transient did odd jobs for the church and would come by for occasional meals, police said. Robbery was the apparent motive, police said.

McClain said that charges in the case have been upgraded to murder.

“God has gifted us not only to believe but to suffer for His name’s sake, so suffering is a gift of God," McClain said. “I see this as a blessing, as an honor. My dad served Christ all his life, and he was given the opportunity to go out on the front lines."

McClain is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy.  

March 18, 2004