Don Hinkle, the Missouri Pathway’s founding editor, died Thursday (Sept. 22).
Known for his colorful bow ties, quick wit and love for journalism, Hinkle, 68, had recently announced his plans to step aside from the Baptist state newspaper to focus entirely on his dual role as the Missouri Baptist Convention’s public policy adviser, effective Jan. 1, 2023. He also was to hold the title of editor emeritus at the newspaper.
“With great sorrow, we learned tonight that Don Hinkle, founding editor of the Missouri Baptist Convention’s Pathway newspaper, has gone home to be with the Lord Jesus,” the Missouri Baptist Convention announced on social media Thursday evening.
“We will share more information online and in the next print edition of The Pathway, as details become available. In the meantime, please pray for Don’s family and friends as they grieve this loss. He will be dearly missed.”
Hinkle’s journalism journey
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Pathway and of Hinkle’s tenure as editor.
“During his two decades of service at The Pathway, Don deeply loved serving the Lord and serving Missouri Baptists through Christian journalism and through his public policy work at the Missouri Baptist Convention,” the MBC said.
“Don fought the good fight, kept the faith and finished the race. With hope in Christ, we heartily believe he has now received the Lord’s commendation, ‘Well, done, good and faithful servant.'”
During Hinkle’s tenure, The Pathway has become the fourth largest paid circulation newspaper in Missouri, and its print and online editions have won numerous professional awards through the years.
An Air Force veteran, Hinkle was a reporter for The Daily Press in Newport News, Va., The Tennessean in Nashville, The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky, and was editor of The Daily Herald in Columbia, Tennessee. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Virginia, and master’s degrees in Christian education and theology from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a graduate of the WORLD Journalism Institute and was a fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview.
Hinkle was preceded in death by his wife, Bernadette.
