God’s Presence • God’s Guidance • God’s Promise
Mission Statement:
We are committed to compelling the lost, and dedicated to worshipping and glorifying God through His perfect gifts.
Vision
Pillar of Fire Church and ministries is a leading and dynamic vehicle to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with conviction, excellence and creativity. We are in the world but not of the world. We are entrepreneurial soldiers advancing God’s kingdom, and we add value in every setting, for the purpose of glorifying God. As it is documented in Exodus 13:21, that it is the Lord who led, and provided guidance and light in the night through His embodiment in the Pillar of Fire. This is the call and purpose of Pillar of Fire church and ministries, to embody the leading, guidance and light of God to His people.
Pastor Quinton – Founder & Senior Pastor
Pastor Quinton Clay
Senior Pastor | Founder | Visionary Leader
Answering the call to excellence both within and beyond the church walls, Pastor Quinton Clay is a Kingdom strategist, servant leader, and dynamic voice for transformative leadership in the body of Christ. With over 18 years of ministerial experience and a proven record of high-level leadership in education and nonprofit sectors, Pastor Quinton brings unmatched passion, precision, and power to the pulpit and to the people.
In November 2021, Pastor Quinton—alongside his wife and ministry partner, Executive Pastor Dr. Karen Clay—launched Pillar of Fire Church of God in Christ in St. Louis, Missouri, with a vision to ignite faith, grow disciples, and impact communities. A devoted father to sons Ethan and Nathan, Pastor Quinton leads as both a pastor and a protector, balancing spiritual fire with fatherly wisdom.
His sermons are bold, Bible-based, and action-oriented, often focusing on Kingdom growth, spiritual maturity, identity, and purpose. Whether preaching messages like “The Glory of a Royal Rejection” or “Kingdom Growth”, Pastor Quinton challenges believers to grow beyond church walls and step boldly into the divine assignments on their lives.
Educated in Communication Arts and Public Relations at Wartburg College and in Integrated Marketing Communications at St. Bonaventure University, Pastor Quinton’s intellectual depth and strategic clarity fuel his ability to lead in both ministry and the marketplace. His 20-year career spans executive and C-suite roles at top-ranked universities—including a Vice Presidency at a prestigious St. Louis liberal arts institution and, most recently, a vice president position at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.
In the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), Pastor Quinton serves as Jurisdictional Sunday School Superintendent and Dean of Education for the Missouri Midwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction under Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III and Supervisor Dr. T. Marie Brown.
A visionary with a shepherd’s heart, Pastor Quinton believes the Church must be both spiritually powerful and culturally relevant—building disciples who thrive in faith, family, and future. At Pillar of Fire Church, he’s doing just that.
Pastor Karen
Dr. Karen Clay
Executive Pastor | Co-Founder | First Lady
Dr. Karen Clay is a radiant and resolute leader who lives at the intersection of faith, family, and forward-thinking leadership. A pastor, licensed pharmaceutical doctor, and gifted teacher of the Word, she serves as the Executive Pastor and First Lady of Pillar of Fire Church of God in Christ, where she co-labors in ministry with her husband, Pastor Quinton Clay.
Anointed with prophetic insight and a shepherd’s heart, Dr. Clay is known for her ability to walk with wisdom, lead with warmth, and preach with precision. Her sermons—like “Walk in Your Transformation” and “Serve It Up”—speak directly to the heart of believers, urging them to embrace change, operate in purpose, and live lives that glorify God. She teaches with practical depth and spiritual clarity, helping the Church move from inspiration to application.
Dr. Clay accepted Christ nearly 20 years ago and was filled with the Holy Ghost at just 19 years old. Her evangelistic fire was lit during her college years and has since evolved into a ministry that uplifts women, strengthens families, and nurtures thriving spiritual communities.
Outside the pulpit, Dr. Clay is a rising star in the pharmaceutical world. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and has earned national distinction in clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical leadership. From her work as a Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator to her current role as a Medical Science Liaison, Dr. Clay has influenced the field through award-winning research, national advisory board appointments, and a commitment to health equity.
With a ministry grounded in authenticity, love, and biblical truth, Dr. Clay is a licensed Evangelist Missionary in the Church of God in Christ, and trusted spiritual voice—not only to those within Pillar of Fire, but to women, families, and ministry leaders across jurisdictions. Whether she’s teaching Bible study, leading prayer, offering counsel, or navigating boardroom discussions, Dr. Clay moves with grace, faith, and an unwavering commitment to God’s excellence.
Together with Pastor Clay, she is raising their sons Ethan and Nathan in a home rooted in worship, service, and legacy-building. Theirs is a life of Kingdom impact—proof of what God can do through surrendered, Spirit-led lives.