Paul David Kooistra

Dr. Paul D. Kooistra, Seminary President and Missions Leader, Dies at 83

Dr. Paul David Kooistra passed away on July 1, 2026, at age 83, after being diagnosed with cancer late last year. An active pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America since its founding, Paul’s life and ministry were characterized by his passion for multiplying churches and leaders who are rooted in God’s grace and passionate for the Great Commission. He possessed the credentials and gifts to serve as a transformative leader in various roles across the PCA, including as the president of Covenant Theological Seminary and coordinator of Mission to the World. 

Born October 11, 1942, in Duluth, Minnesota, Kooistra graduated from Columbia Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, with a Master of Divinity degree and received his doctorate from the University of Alabama. Dr. Kooistra served on the pastoral staff of two congregations in Florida before becoming a professor at Belhaven College and later at Reformed Theological Seminary, both in Jackson, Mississippi. 

In 1985, Kooistra was hired to serve as president of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. During his tenure, Covenant became one of the fastest-growing seminaries in the country with over 500 Master of Divinity students. He prioritized building a faculty committed to rooting pastoral training in God's grace and fostering a warm and winsome expression of Reformed theology while holding firmly to biblical essentials. In 2022, Covenant Theological Seminary established the Paul D. Kooistra Chair of World Missions.

In 1994, he was called to serve as Coordinator of Mission to the World, and under his leadership, MTW grew to become the largest missionary agency in Presbyterian history.

Beyond his leadership roles, he was an active churchman. Kooistra served on the PCA’s Standing Judicial Commission from its inception in 1989 until 2026.  He was elected to serve as moderator of the 36th General Assembly in 2008. He served on numerous committees and spearheaded various initiatives to unify the denomination around its commitment to the Great Commission. 

After stepping down as coordinator of Mission to the World in 2014, he became president of Erskine College and Seminary, retiring in 2016. During his tenure, Kooistra focused on stabilizing Erskine amid financial pressures and accreditation concerns. In late 2014, he implemented significant cost-saving measures that led to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges reaffirming Erskine’s full accreditation. Since then, he has served the PCA Administrative Committee as a placement and development consultant. 

Dr. Kooistra was married to Jan for 43 years until she lost her battle with cancer in 2008.  The Lord brought Sandi Tucker into his life in early 2009 and they married August 29, 2009. There are five adult children in their families:  Paul, Jr., and his wife, Carla; Shary and her husband, Jeff Dare; Sydney and her husband, Albert Lopez; Bryan Tucker and his wife, Christina; and Greg Tucker. They have seven grandchildren, Margaret “Maggie” Elizabeth Dare Sullivan, Alysia Marie Lopez Carden, Samuel “Sam” Alexander Dare, Carson Annamarie Kooistra Cartey, Grant David Lopez, Molly Josephine Kooistra McTaggart, and Ava Jeanmarie Kooistra.

The family requests that memorial gifts be directed to:

The Timothy Foundation - 130 Lenape Drive, Berwyn, PA  19312

Covenant Theological Seminary - 12330 Conway Road, St. Louis, MO 63141

Mission to The World - 1600 N. Brown Road, Lawrenceville, GA  30043    

Flowers may be sent to:

Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church, 4675 Winder Hwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30542

Memorial Service

July 16, 2026 – 11:00 am

Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church – Covenant Life Center

4675 Winder Highway

Flowery Branch, GA 30542

Public Visitation 

9:30 -11:00 am 

Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church - Covenant Life Center

For those unable to attend, the service will be available via livestream at https://cmpca.org/kooistra. 

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542 is in charge of arrangements. On-line condolences may be left at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com. 

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