Pastor Claude is an ordained Elder and lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. He received his bachelor’s degree in sociology with a high emphasis in anthropology from Chicago State University and received his Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary.

He has served as pastor and associate pastor at a variety of churches in Chicago, including the Chicago Temple, in Glen Ellyn, and was most recently the pastor of the Olympia Fields UMC prior to DGFUMC. Rev. King also recently completed several terms on the United Methodist Church-Northern Illinois Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. This Board is responsible for guiding clergy candidates through the ordination process, including interviewing and recommending all candidates who are seeking to be fully ordained as ministers in the NIC-UMC.

Pastor Claude is married to Denise King, a former Chicago Public School Head Start teacher. They have a son Claude, Jr., who has a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy and is in private practice. He and his wife Taylor have a son. They live in the Chicago area. The Kings also have a daughter, Ashley, who holds a master’s degree in communications and social media and works in marketing in Los Angeles.