Staff
Paul Cloeter came to Trinity in June, 1995. Previously, he served as a Director of Christian Education in Park Rapids, MN (1973-78), and as pastor at Kimball, MN (1982-86) and Bessemer, MI (1986-95). Pastor Paul and his wife, Nancy, have three children, Jeff (married to Bobbi), Anne (married to Jeremy) and John and two grandchildren, with whom they enjoy spending as much time as possible.
Harvey Ehlers, Visitation Pastor
Harvey Ehlers was ordained July 5, 1959. He served congregations in Bridgeport, NE, Claremont, MN, Owatonna, MN, Fullerton, CA, and Sherburn, MN. He came to Trinity in September, 1981. Pastor Harvey and his wife, Adeline have two married children, Corrine (married to Bill) and Mark (married to Paula) and they have been blessed with four grandchildren.
Craig Cooper, Director of Christian Outreach
Craig was installed as Director of Christian Outreach (DCO) at Trinity on July 2, 2000. He served in the U.S. Navy and worked for 10 years as an Electrical Contractor. Craig has served churches, mainly in the areas of Evangelism and Assimilation in Canada, Pennsylvania and Michigan. He and his wife, Jody, have four children, Amy (married to Russ), Kelly, Jonathan and Kari.
John came to the U.S. from Sudan in 1999. He moved here to St. Cloud in August of 2009. John and his wife Akuay have four children, Debraha, Owar, Marjwok and Aperngo. He leads Worship here on Sundays at 2:00 p.m. John plans to attend the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) at Concordia Seminary St. Louis, MO. The Anyuak that Worship here hope to become an LC-MS congregation by the year 2016.
Carol Copeland Director, Child Development Center
Carol grew up in Sauk Rapids, attending Trinity Lutheran Church and School. She taught preschool in Port Arthur and Nederland, Texas. She began teaching preschool at Trinity in 1994 and for the past four years has served as Director of the Trinity Lutheran Child Development Center. Carol also is the Director of Prince of Peace Preschools. Carol and her husband, Jon, have four children, Natalie (married to Jeremy), Ross (married to Jill), Lauren and Ben. She has three grandchildren with whom she loves to play and learn.
Rick Dietz, Administrative Assistant
Rick joined the staff in January of 2002. He has just retired from the U.S. Air Force where he served as as Chaplain's Assistant in Virginia, Texas, Hawaii, Nebraska, and Okinawa, Japan. He enjoyed serving the Lord by being of service to those in the Air Force and continues by bringing his gifts, talents, and training to support our Trinity members and staff. Rick and his wife, Geri, have one child, Charlie.
Gary Johnson, Business Manager
Gary joined the staff of Trinity Lutheran in June 2002. He received his Business Administration degree from Southwest State College in Marshall. Gary served his country in the U.S. Navy and now enjoys serving the Lord. He and his wife, Julie, have four children, Amber, Aaron, Adam and Austin.
Alex was born and raised in Andover and Fridley, Minnesota. He is from a family of 3 sisters, and 2 brothers. He graduated from Concordia College in the spring of 2009. He worked at Luther Crest Bible Camp and was the Director of Youth and Family Ministry at Faith Lutheran Church in Hamilton, Montana. Alex loves all kinds of sports, hunting, fishing, playing guitar, music, movies, joking around, and relaxing. He was recently engaged to a “wonderful woman” and he is looking forward to a wedding in 2011.
