Pastor Clarence: well done, good and faithful servant
Remembering Pastor Clarence McGregor and his years of fruitful and transformative ministry at EGC
By Emmanuel Gospel Center
Pastor Clarence McGregor
“Put down that broom! God wants you to be a pastor to people on the streets!”
At the time, Clarence McGregor was the janitor of the Emmanuel Gospel Center at its former location in the South End. He was sweeping the front steps of EGC’s building that day in 1994 when Claire Sullivan, the founding director of the former Starlight Ministries, came around the corner and spoke words that would change his life.
Claire’s words resonated in Clarence’s spirit that day in part because he had developed a heart of compassion for people who call the streets home. Clarence provided janitorial services for several businesses, including a church in the Back Bay. He would often see people sleeping on the church’s porch, and he wondered how he could help them. At another job, he supervised people who cleaned the MBTA’s trolleys. His responsibilities included chasing away people who had sought refuge in the trolleys or subway stations. Whenever he had to ask someone to leave, he wondered where the person would go.
Not long after that meeting with Claire, several other people confirmed that God was calling Clarence to pastor people who were disenfranchised or experiencing homelessness. So he began volunteering with Starlight Ministries, where he soon became known as Pastor Clarence, or more often “Pastor C.” After several years as a volunteer, Pastor Clarence joined the Starlight staff.
Over the next 17 years, Pastor Clarence touched the lives of hundreds of people. He led Starlight’s evening outreach on Boston Common, helped coordinate the Opportunity Resource Center, and led Bible studies for people from the streets. He regularly visited parks, housing developments, prisons, Boston Medical Center’s housing security unit, and the Barbara McInnis House (a medical respite facility for people experiencing homelessness). For many years, he was a regular preacher at the Boston Rescue Mission and Salvation Army’s former Harbor Lights Center.
“Walking alongside Pastor C, I learned what it means to have hope where there is none and to have faith in what God can do.”
Pastor Clarence listened to people’s stories, offered encouragement and pastoral counseling, prayed with them, and provided support as people struggled to secure permanent housing. Through it all, he continually offered the hope of transformation found in Jesus. A number of people Pastor Clarence met on the streets started attending South End Neighborhood Church, where he served as the associate pastor.
“Few are the individuals who have had so deep and profound an impact on my life and on the lives of those around me,” said Robert Taylor, a former Starlight director. “Fewer still are those who have demonstrated such open-hearted commitment to that which Jesus calls us to: to love our neighbors and reach out to those most in need. Walking alongside Pastor C, I learned what it means to have hope where there is none and to have faith in what God can do.”
A walk through Boston Common with Pastor Clarence was a slow process, because it seemed everyone knew him and wanted to talk with him. And almost always, those conversations ended with a hug, because Pastor Clarence was known for his gentle hugs and words of affirmation.
“Pastor Clarence knows how to care for and love people like few people I have ever met,” said Paul Daigle, a former Starlight director, when Pastor Clarence retired from EGC. “I can honestly say that he has taught me more than almost anyone I know about loving and caring for others — and not just caring for someone 'in the moment' but over the long haul.”
When he retired from Starlight Ministries in 2011, Pastor Clarence told the following story about a man he ran into that he hadn’t seen recently. “For three years I had worked with this guy trying to help him get into permanent housing,” he explained. “I had seen others get their housing, but this guy had been on the list longer and yet he still didn’t have housing. Now, after a few months, I meet this guy again, and all excited, he shouts, ‘Pastor Clarence! I got my own place now! I’ve been there three months!’” The man told Pastor Clarence how good it is to go home and watch TV, or take a shower, or read a book. “And then he says, ‘God is good!’ And I said, ‘Yes he is! God is good all the time.’ As he is leaving, he says to me, ‘Thank you for your help and prayers, man. I am in now!’ A conversation like that makes my day,” Pastor Clarence said with a smile.
“Pastor Clarence is a true God-fearing man who loves the Lord Jesus and shows that to everyone else.”
In addition to befriending and serving people on the streets, Pastor Clarence trained many people how to minister effectively and how to live faithful lives. He was a role model to volunteers who served alongside him on outreach.
“I’ve been able to glean so much from him,” said Arvelle Adamson, a Starlight volunteer who later joined the Starlight staff. “I’m ever grateful that I met him. I think of him as the embodiment of a living spirit — how a life devoted to Christ is lived.”
Pastor Clarence also nurtured and trained formerly homeless people who wanted to give back to Starlight after their lives became stabilized.
Around 2008, Pastor Clarence started a Recovery Bible Study for people from the streets struggling with addiction. In addition to teaching biblical truths and sharing his own experience, he helped the attendees learn basic life skills and how to relate to people who are not on the streets. Through the Bible study, David Sprague became a Christian and began attending South End Neighborhood Church. As Pastor Clarence watched David’s faith grow, he knew David would be a good leader for the study. So Pastor Clarence mentored David on how to lead the discussion and gave him feedback on the study each week. David began to lead the group himself.
“Pastor Clarence is a true God-fearing man who loves the Lord Jesus and shows that to everyone else,” said Nate Payotte, a formerly homeless man who helped staff Starlight’s Opportunity Resource Center, when Pastor Clarence retired from EGC. “I see Pastor Clarence as a real hero who is an example of changing his life for the better with God.”
Pastor Clarence was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, and passed away on Sept. 4, 2022 at the age of 74. In 1991, he married Robin Smith-McGregor. They raised four children together over 32 years. He was a proud father and grandfather to many children.
EGC staff and friends mourn his passing but praise God for his life and ministry of love.
Pastor Claire Sullivan
“When I met Pastor Clarence, I knew I had a friend and a brother that has your back. I was praying for someone who would come alongside the homeless in transition from the streets to help start our Mainstream Transitional Work Program at Starlight Ministries. Clarence and I were in my office shooting the breeze and a light bulb went off in my head and heart. I said, ‘Clarence, it’s you!’ He said, ‘What's me?’ I explained what I had been praying about and he was ‘in.’ It was that day I looked at him and realized that he was truly a pastor and began calling him, ‘Pastor Clarence’ because he was truly a ‘Good Shepherd.’ He not only became Starlight's overseer of our Mainstream program, but also became the outreach pastor of Starlight Ministries. When I would come into the office feeling off, overtired, and/or frustrated, Pastor Clarence used to hug me so tight I could barely breathe and until I laughed. I said, ‘Pastor Clarence, only you could ever squeeze the nasties out of me!’ When we all approach the throne of God, I believe we see multitudes receiving a stack of gold crowns on their head that never finished school, went to seminary, were not ordained within a denomination and had an old rap sheet. I hope I will hear Clarence McGregor’s name loud enough so all of heaven can hear the Lord say, ‘Clarence, if only you could have taught every leader in my Church what you know about me and my Kingdom but you taught it all by example just like my Son. Well done, good and faithful servant.’” — Pastor Claire Sullivan, founder Starlight Ministries 1990-2001, YWAM Thailand, Missionary 4 Life
Neal Armandt
“When I think of Clarence, what comes to mind is his humility and his hunger to know the Lord. He was indeed an example of ‘if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.’ God put Clarence’s life back together. I remember seeing Clarence and Robin (his girlfriend then) sitting in the back of the church, holding their two little twins, with Robin’s two older children, and I said to them, ‘This is a Christian family.’ I had the privilege of marrying them and seeing them grow into God’s blessings. When you put God first, he takes care of the rest. After years of seeing the person Clarence was, the church recognised his shepherd’s heart and voted him to be the associate pastor of the church. Clarence and I spent hours together going through the Word, talking about life, and praying for people God had brought our way. We often visited folks together in all kinds of sketchy situations — I often said: ‘Clarence, you go in first!’ I miss Clarence but I’m sure he is cheering us on as part of the great cloud of witnesses. He can truly say, ‘I GOT JOY!’” — Neal Armandt, former pastor at South End Neighborhood Church
Sara Mitchell
“Pastor Clarence was a great teacher and model for me when I first worked with Starlight Ministries. We shared a very small office. We became a team — an unlikely pair that did outreach, trainings and generally hung out with our friends experiencing homelessness and volunteers as well. His quiet manner, wisdom, patience and most importantly his warm hugs revealed his compassionate heart. He made people feel like they were seen and worthy of love. As a friend said, ‘He really drew people together and made them feel welcome. God worked through him in amazing ways. We are all grateful to have known him.’” — Sara Mitchell, former community advocate at Starlight Ministries, chaplain with Boston Community Chaplain Ministry in partnership with EGC
Jeff Bass
“I have many wonderful memories of Pastor C. One is how hard he worked to learn to read as an older adult so he could study the Bible, learn theology, and disciple others more effectively. His stubborn dedication and steady progress were inspiring and made such a difference in the lives of so many. And another, on a lighter note, I once challenged Pastor C to a 1:1 basketball game. Pastor C was much bigger than me, but I was almost as tall and thought my quickness and youth would offset his size and age. However, when we got to the court, Pastor C insisted we play ‘everything up,’ which, of course, meant he had a large advantage each time I missed (and usually when he missed) and he beat me handily. Pastor C was humble, wise, and also street smart, and I am grateful to have worked with him for a long season at EGC.” — Jeff Bass, executive director, EGC
Rudy Mitchell
“Clarence was someone whose life was transformed by the life Christ gives. He did not just study the life of Christ, but he also lived out a Christ-like life in serving people experiencing homelessness and addiction. I recall many afternoons meeting together with Clarence as we went through a series of ministry training workbooks on the life of Christ. He embodied what he learned and expressed it with joy in serving others and in his powerful preaching as Associate Pastor of South End Neighborhood Church.” — Rudy Mitchell, senior researcher, EGC
Ruth Wong
“I have many memories of Pastor C with his warm and loving embrace for everyone. Getting to observe him in action every Thursday at the drop-in center was such a blessing. I know the guests felt comfortable and welcomed because of the ways Pastor C would greet each of them and ask how they were. I also remember one of our dim sum outings where he enthusiastically asked for the green dessert on the cart, which happened to be made of durian (a South Asian fruit that has an acquired smell and taste). I warned him about the durian, but he wanted to try it anyway. He ended up loving it, and it has become one of my fun memories of Pastor C's adventurous spirit. He would love to tell me all about his fishing trips, how he would grill the fish afterwards, and just share about his life with me. I feel grateful and honored to have had the opportunity to serve with Pastor C at EGC. He was a spiritual example to me of someone who loved the least of these (Matthew 25:40). I will miss seeing Pastor C on this side of heaven, but I look forward to the day when we can reunite before our Savior’s presence, worshiping Him forever.” — Ruth Wong, director, Boston Education Collaborative, EGC
Gregg Detwiler
“It is with great fondness that I remember my friend, brother, and colleague, Pastor Clarence McGregor. Years ago Clarence and I, along with my young son and one of Clarence’s sons, attended a Patriots game together. From that shared experience, Clarence continued to keep a keen interest on how my son was faring as he grew from a small boy into a man. He would often ask me, ‘How’s Brady doing?’ And then he would assure me of his continued prayers for him. This was typical Pastor C behavior — an outward focus of interest on others. My life was better because of my relationship with Clarence. This was a common refrain at his memorial service by so many that knew him. Pastor C, today I return the favor and offer a prayer of blessing for your children.” — Gregg Detwiler, founding director of Intercultural Ministries, EGC
Hanno van der Bijl
“Pastor Clarence was known for his hugs. At his retirement party at EGC, he gave me a hug that felt like the warm love of God was coming straight down from heaven through him to me. It was one of the most profound spiritual experiences of my life. I praise God for using Pastor Clarence as a willing vessel of his love (Eph. 3:14-19).” — Hanno van der Bijl, managing editor, EGC