Dr. John F. Klem began his ministry at Clearwater Christian College in May 2012 when he joined the college family as the fifth president of Clearwater Christian College. After receiving his B.S. from Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, PA, Dr. Klem went on to earn his M.Div. and Th.M. from Baptist Bible Seminary in Clarks-Summit, PA, and a Th. D. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Plymouth, MN.

After earning his doctorate, Dr. Klem entered the world of academic administration at Central Baptist Theological Seminary (VA) as an assistant professor of Old Testament, continued to become a professor of Biblical Theology and Exegesis, and finally the Vice President of Academics and Academic Dean, while still maintaining a steady teaching schedule. He also served in various academic roles at Northland International University and Piedmont Baptist Graduate School.

In addition to his many educational accomplishments, Dr. Klem has served in educational ministries, local churches, and administrative positions across the country, most recently as the senior pastor of Brookdale Baptist Church in Moorhead, MN. Through his various ministries in the local church, Dr. Klem has fostered an overwhelming passion to use the tools of a Christo-centric liberal arts education to prepare men and women to become vibrant servants of the Lord in whatever vocational or ministerial pursuit they have chosen for their lives.

Not only a qualified pastor and teacher, Dr. Klem has published several articles in well-known journals such as “The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society,” the Baker Illustrated Bible Dictionary, and the “Journal of Ministry and Theology,” and authored the book, Selah Moments: Meditations on Scripture Applied to Life. He has also reviewed books, articles, and dissertations on a variety of subjects and assisted with the online curriculum for Central Baptist Theological Seminary (VA).

Dr. Klem and his wife Cathy have been married for over thirty years. They have two adult children, both of whom reside in Virginia.