David R Cloeter was born in Fairmont, Minnesota and spent his maturing years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Seward, Nebraska. David’s parents were Lutheran school teachers and graduates of Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska. In 1976, David also graduated from Concordia where he was awarded a teaching degree.
Following his graduation, the influence of his parents. relatives, pastors and professors convinced David to enter the pastoral ministry. David explained, “The thought of learning the Greek of the New Testament and studying God’s Word in its original language was very appealing to me. I wished to understand the breadth and depth of Christianity at the grass-roots level. I could see no higher calling in life than that of bringing people to the knowledge of their Savior, Jesus Christ.”
1980, David graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He subsequently served as shepherd for congregations in Wyandotte, Michigan; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Owatonna, Minnesota. Since December of 2000, Pastor Cloeter has served as pastor for Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
For the past 40 years, Pastor Cloeter served the Lord in many wonderful ways--Pastor, counselor, teacher, leader, and friend. Always it is apparent that his burning desire for continued breadth and depth of LCMS Christian doctrine is a driving force for his ministry--and it shines like a consistent baseline beacon.
David and wife, Lisa, became acquainted when he served the congregation in Albuquerque. In 1988, David and Lisa were married at a special, Sunday morning worship service! David and Lisa are the parents of five children, four of whom are married, and they have three grandchildren. As a couple they enjoy serving in the church, family, traveling, walking, riding bikes, playing games and watching movies.
One would be hard-pressed to prepare an exhaustive listing of the many wonderful superlatives often used in reference to Pastor David R. Cloeter—but the following is a representative list: devoted, unwavering, faithful, kind, attentive, stalwart, focused, hard-working, giving, solid in the Word, wise, prudent, and Christian friend.
Congratulations Pastor David R. Cloeter, you have consistently served the Lord and those under your salient Christian guidance have benefitted from your solid commitment to teaching the Gospel in its purity!
Submitted by Denise Blair
