God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1
On Monday, October 12, 2026, I received word that Stephen and Katie Clayton and their kids had been in a terrible car accident in South Dakota on a return trip to Minnesota. A tire detached from a trailer, crossed the center median, and struck their minivan. Stephen (31) and their son David (3) died in the car crash. Katie, their unborn baby (28 weeks), and their one-year-old, John, survived. Katie sustained significant injuries to her jaw and face, has undergone reconstructive surgery, and faces a long road of recovery. I am heartbroken and grieved.
I had the privilege of conducting Stephen and Katie’s premarital counseling and of officiating their wedding in South Dakota in 2022. Stephen served as my ministry assistant for three years at The North Church while he was in seminary. We met together nearly every other week for three years. Upon graduating from seminary, Stephen became the pastor at Becker Evangelical Free Church. He labored faithfully, seeking to preach and teach God’s word, to love others patiently, and to shepherd the people entrusted to him. During this time, he and Katie grew their family.
We last had lunch on May 7, 2026. He shared about ministry, the highs and lows. The joys and challenges. He so deeply loved Katie, his kids, and serving the Lord. Whenever I think of Stephen, I think, “He was a good man.” He consistently exhibited joy in the Lord. He was humble and teachable, always seeking to learn. He was intentional. He was happy. And he was delighted by Katie and his kids. Stephen was sober-minded, thoughtful, intelligent, and intentional. He never boasted or bragged about playing in a professional orchestra in Canada. I never heard him complain or grumble.
During their premarital counseling meetings, Stephen was eager to learn, lead, and serve his wife. Katie was eager to follow Stephen’s lead. They both were so eager to serve the Lord, to start a family, and to go wherever the Lord would send them. Even through difficult seasons after having children, Stephen was steadfast and strong. As he stepped into the role of pastor at Becker, he was eager to preach God’s word, serve, and shepherd. It had its difficulties, as all pastoral ministry does, but he grew in patience, endurance, and steadfastness.
Stephen Clayton will be dearly missed. He was deeply loved by many. Even in these things, we know that the Lord remains good, true, and faithful. I am reminded of the words of Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Even in such a tragic accident, we know that God is sovereign, he is good, he is on his throne, and he is with his children in their deep grief and sorrow.
We lift our eyes to the heavens, for we know our help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1–2). God saw fit to take Stephen and David home, and he is now gazing face to face with his Lord and Savior. What he saw in part, he now sees in full.
We have lost a good man this week. We lost a pastor, a husband, a father, a son, a son-in-law, friend, and a man who loved the Lord. Yet we know that God has been faithful, he is faithful, and he will be faithful to his children and to accomplish his purposes. Would you join me in praying for Katie, John, and their extended family in this great loss?
For those who would like to help financially, a GoFundMe has been established to help the family with medical costs and ongoing costs for the family and children. The funeral will be held on Friday, October 23 at The North Church: visitation at 10 am, funeral at 11 am, followed by a reception.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. – Job 1:21b
Steven Lee, M.Div. ’12
Pastor for Preaching & Vision, The North Church
Trustee, Bethlehem College and Seminary