Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

Cloer named president of Baptist College of Florida

  • May 27, 2022
  • Arkansas Baptist News
  • College and Career, Florida, Latest News, Leadership, South Carolina, Tennessee
(Florida Baptist Convention photo)

Cloer named president of Baptist College of Florida

Clayton Cloer, pastor of the Church at the Cross in Orlando, has been named president of the Baptist College of Florida.

On May 24, BCF’s board of trustees unanimously approved the presidential search committee’s recommendation of Cloer who will begin serving as president-elect on Nov. 1, 2022, and assume his presidential duties on Jan. 1, 2023. Cloer will succeed BCF President Thomas Kinchen who led the college’s expansion and growth for three decades and announced in November 2021 his plans to retire by Dec. 31, 2022.

“Our college students need to be educated with a Christian worldview in order to stand for Christ in our communities, churches and world,” Cloer said. “We have a solemn responsibility to speak the truth, teach the truth and live by the truth. We value education and the young lives entrusted to our shepherding. Therefore, we must integrate the truth of God’s Word into the study areas of a modern university and offer them to our Florida Baptists.”

Florida Baptist Convention photo

‘Sending power’

Cloer added that he is looking forward to “partnering with Florida Baptist churches to train the next generation of pastors, missionaries and Christian leaders. A school has great sending power when partnerships are harnessed and resources are leveraged to the end that the nations be reached.”

Trained and mentored by the late B. Gray Allison, former president of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee, Cloer said, “I believe God has gifted me to do this, and God gave me a desire to do it. Our great college has been positioned and poised to become a leader among the other 48 Southern Baptist colleges and universities.”

The presidential search process began in March after the school’s search committee, chaired by RC Mills, was named. At that time, Mills said the search committee was seeking an individual who could provide “visionary leadership” to move the college forward.

In his nearly 20 years as a pastor in the Sunshine State, Cloer has served as a board member of the Florida Baptist Convention and president of the Florida Baptist Pastors Conference (2009).

“Clayton has proven his deep commitment to Christ as a faithful pastor in Florida. He is a loved and trusted leader in the Florida Baptist Convention. His visionary leadership will transition the Baptist College of Florida to greater Kingdom impact. I believe the brightest days are ahead for the Baptist College of Florida in partnership with Florida Baptists,” said Tommy Green, Florida Baptists’ executive director-treasurer.

Prior to serving the Church at the Cross, the South Carolina native served as pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Senatobia, Mississippi, and as the executive pastor of Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.

In addition to his undergraduate degree from Clemson University in South Carolina, Cloer earned a master’s degree and a doctorate from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.

Cloer and his wife, Linda, have two young adult sons.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Margaret Colson and originally published by the Florida Baptist Convention.

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Persecution, violence and religious freedom addressed at BWA Congress
    Persecution, violence and religious freedom addressed at BWA Congress
    July 16, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • First person: Why no one’s listening to your church and how to fix it
    First person: Why no one’s listening to your church and how to fix it
    July 16, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Lifeway names interim CEO, begins search for new president
    Lifeway names interim CEO, begins search for new president
    July 15, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Persecution, violence and religious freedom addressed at BWA Congress

Bruce Webb, pastor of The Woodlands First Baptist Church of Woodlands, Texas, recounted the history of Baptist advocacy for freedom of religion during a breakout

First person: Why no one’s listening to your church and how to fix it

You’re leading. You’re preaching. You’re promoting. But still… it feels like no one’s really listening. That’s not just frustrating; it’s exhausting.

Lifeway names interim CEO, begins search for new president

Trustees have asked Lifeway’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Walker to serve as interim president and CEO until a new president is named, in accordance with Lifeway’s bylaws.

John MacArthur, megachurch pastor and voice of ‘Grace to You’ radio ministry, dies at 86

John MacArthur, megachurch pastor, culture warrior, author and longtime voice of the “Grace to You” radio program, has died. 

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel