John Rowan Claypool IV

As I took Tracks of a Fellow Struggler off my shelf this morning, simply because my hand reached for it, I soon realized it has been twenty years since our beloved passed from our physical presence. Yet, not our spiritual one. Reading these memories on this page, I think of the many who carried John Claypool through their lives. It is a blessing -still.

There is an immense gratitude for John's life having crossed paths with own as a seminarian student in his classes and in his mentoring care to me. All these years later, I still pattern and am deeply influenced in my own pastoral care and counseling ministry as Chaplain and Grief Counselor by John. In John, I found permission to find my own voice and firm place to be both resilient and hospitable in the the caring of broken souls. Thank you John for the profound influence you have offered...

I knew Dr. Claypool when he was minister of Broadway Baptist in Fort Worth. His sermons, books, and gifts he brought to us will remain forever. He is sorely missed by the millions who came to know him.
Marianne Jones 6/18/2016

When I realized that my copy of The Light Within You hadn't been returned, I sought out another copy. (I found one!) And I was led down memory lane, to how much John inspired my life and still does. I still miss him; I believe I always will.

Ann and family,
I know that it has been years since John's death, but I miss him so very much tonight. He was my spiritual mentor during two very difficult times of life. As I revisit the painfull side of life, I would love to be encouraged and embraced by him again.

Ann-
I am a preacher today because of John's tender care of my soul at Mars Hill College and then later at the College of Preachers in DC around 1988. His voice and the cadence of his phrasing still haunts me. I genunily loved him as a novice to a teacher. Thank you for sharing him with so many of us.

Ann and Rowan,
On October 1, 1971, John R. Claypool preached his first sermon at Broadway Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas, entitled "I have good news for you."
On that same date, I began a term as Chairman of the Board of Deacons and served with John during the ensuing two years. It was indeed "good news" that John served as our pastor for the next five years, bringing his deep knowledge of biblical values and insights to the members of our congregation. He touched so many lives in...

On September 3, 1955, John Claypool performed our marriage ceremony at Wallaceton Baptist Church near Berea, Ky. While I was working on my undergraduate degree at Southern Seminary, John was on his doctorate. We both pastored churches in southeastern Ky near Richmond and Berea. Since I didn't have a car, John allowed me to ride with him each weekend. We became very close. When I was ordained, he preached the sermon. After our wedding, he led a revival in my church. Later, he left that...

It is late evening, October 21. Only this night have I learned of the passing of Dr. Claypoole. I grieve and rejoice at the same time. He is seeing now what he has shown so many for so long. I was introduced to his ministry in Feb 1991, and ever since have considered him a premier mentor and model, though I never had the opportunity to meet him in person. I regret this, but live with the certainty I'll see him one day. Christendom has lost a giant. I have stood on his shoulders and seen...