The Moderator

Bob Krouse

Bob Krouse is pastor of the Little Swatara Church of the Brethren in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Bob also served, together with his wife, as a Church of the Brethren missionary in Nigeria from 1985 to 1987 and as the Nigeria Mission Coordinator from 2004 to 2006. From 1995 through 2004, he helped plant Cornerstone, a Church of the Brethren new church plant in Lebanon, PA. Bob also worked as an addictions counselor and helped Cornerstone launch a 12 step recovery ministry.

A native of Johnstown, PA, his family was very active in the ministry of music at a Methodist Church in that area. Following graduation from High School he majored in music at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA and became the choir director of the Ambler Church of the Brethren. While pursuing a bachelor's degree in musical performance at Temple, Bob sensed God's call to the ministry. Following his graduation from Temple in 1972, he married his wife, Carol, and they left for Bethany Theological Seminary in Oakbrook, IL that fall. After Bob completed a master of divinity degree in 1975, he and Carol moved to Trinity Church of the Brethren in Baltimore, MD where he began his pastoral ministry. Bob and Carol have four grown sons: Matthew, Benjamin, Jonathan, and Christian and nine grandchildren.

As a pastor, missionary and church renewal leader, Bob has focused on the importance of having a clear biblical vision that is expressed with deep spiritual passion. In his work with the church he has seen that "Where there is no vision, or when that vision is not articulated with passion and implemented with enthusiasm, the church can become divided by personal issues that distract us from following Jesus and continuing his work." Bob believes that "When our vision is clearly shaped by the desires and values of Jesus Christ, our enthusiasm for his mission is ignited and enlarged."

He hopes to help the church enter a new season: a season of spiritual renewal marked by a close encounter with the living God; a season of vigorous growth marked by a conspicuous focus on making disciples; and a season of missional vitality marked by a renewed commitment to take up the cross daily and follow Jesus.

The moderator may be contacted at moderator@brethren.org.