Celebrating the life of Dr. Paul D. Kooistra
A legacy shaped by God’s grace
On July 1, 2026, Dr. Paul D. Kooistra, 83, entered the presence of his Savior after a year-long battle with cancer. A beloved preacher and writer, Dr. Kooistra served as coordinator of Mission to the World from 1994–2014. He is remembered for his strong leadership, passion for global missions, and commitment to teaching about the sufficiency of God’s grace.
Born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota, Dr. Kooistra received his B.A. in psychology at the University of Minnesota, an M.Div. from Columbia Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Alabama.
He faithfully used his ministry gifts and education in a variety of capacities including serving as assistant pastor of Pinelands Presbyterian Church in Miami, Florida (1967–1969), associate pastor of Seminole Presbyterian Church in Tampa, Florida (1969–1973), assistant professor of Christian education at Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi (1973–1975), associate professor of education and homiletics at Reformed Theological Seminary in Clinton, Mississippi (1975–1985), and president of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri (1985–1994). In 1994 he was appointed coordinator of Mission to the World in Atlanta, Georgia. After his time as coordinator at MTW he served as president of Erskine College and Seminary from 2014–2016.
In each of these roles, the Lord gave Dr. Kooistra the opportunity to touch the lives of thousands of people. He had a gift for helping Christians see that God’s love and grace were not merely theological concepts but everyday realities at work in all the details of their daily lives.
“Mission to the World is greatly indebted to Paul Kooistra,” MTW Coordinator Lloyd Kim says. “Not only for his faithful leadership over MTW for 20 years but instilling a culture of grace. He was a mentor and friend and will be dearly missed.”
“The Lord gave Paul an unusual mix of gifts. He was equipped with strong leadership ability combined with a love for the saints and a compassion for the progress of God’s kingdom. He had a gift of diagnosing a problem, measuring that against godly standards, looking to the Lord’s objectives, pointing to the way to get on track, and stay on the goal of advancing the gospel and bring glory to God,” says John Robertson, former business administrator of the PCA Administrative Committee and close friend of Dr. Kooistra.
Whether preaching at his church, speaking at the PCA Global Missions Conference, teaching in a classroom, or writing for readers he may never meet, Dr. Kooistra invited Christians to rest in and be renewed by the transforming power of God’s grace. Through both his public ministry and published devotionals—including “31 Days of Grace,” and “Faith Promise”—he taught believers what it means to live a life empowered by the gospel.
“What is grace? Grace encompasses both our legal, judicial need on the day we stand before the judgment seat of God and the deepest emotional needs in the core of our hearts. … Grace is what lifts us up when we are discouraged, what empowers us to do right when we are tempted, what enables us to live lives of depth and meaning in a shallow and corrupt world.”
— Paul D. Kooistra, “Pursuit of Joy”
“With his unique mixture of gifts and graces, Paul was able to lead Covenant Theological Seminary, Mission to the World, and Erskine College and Seminary in very healthy directions. And along the way he encouraged countless men and women to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,” says John.
Those who had the privilege of knowing Dr. Kooistra personally say that his life was consistent with the message he so faithfully preached.
“I first met Paul 41 years ago as a student at Covenant Seminary. Later, I had the privilege of working for him both at Covenant Seminary and at MTW,” says Wallace Anderson, former MTW director of a short-term missions program called IMPACT. “As I reflect on how amazingly the Lord used Paul, four things stand out: his deep joy knowing and proclaiming that ‘the gospel works,’ his love for his family, his love for the church, and his unflinching integrity. Personally, he was my teacher, my boss, my mentor, and though only five years older than I, he is my father in the Lord.”
George Robertson, senior pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, says, “Paul Kooistra has been one of my most formative mentors. Whether teaching me from the pulpit, assisting me in church ministry, counseling me through troubling times, baptizing my kids, laughing about memories, or sharing his latest devotional, he has always led me to even greater wonder at the love of God in Jesus Christ.”
As a husband, father, friend, and leader, Dr. Kooistra demonstrated daily dependence on God’s grace. The impact he had on his family, his community, MTW, the PCA, and the broader Church is difficult to put into words. He will be greatly missed.
“My wife, Paige, and I thank the Lord for Paul’s life, ministry, and faithful example to us all these years. His last words to me were, ‘I love you, but remember, God loves you even more!’” says Wallace. “Thanks, Paul, for showing me and so, so many others that the gospel indeed works.”
After losing his first wife, Jan, to cancer in 2008, the Lord brought Paul’s wife, Sandi, into his life in 2009. He is survived by Sandi and their five children: Paul Jr., and his wife, Carla; Shary and her husband, Jeff Dare; Sydney and her husband, Albert Lopez; Bryan Tucker and his wife, Christina; Greg Tucker; and seven grandchildren.
Mission to the World gives thanks for the life and ministry of Dr. Kooistra and his devotion to serving God’s Church both in the U.S. and throughout the world. As we grieve his passing, we are grateful that he is now in the presence of Jesus.
“There is no legacy more priceless to pass along to our children than the gospel of grace, no greater gift than the good news of Jesus to share with our friends, no enterprise more significant than getting the gospel out around the world.”
— Paul D. Kooistra, “Pursuit of Joy”
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