Larry Stoterau

The Rev. Dr. Larry Stoterau was born and raised in Luverne, Minnesota. He graduated from Luverne High School in 1965. He was baptized, confirmed, and later ordained at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Luverne. He graduated from Concordia University, St. Paul, in 1967, and from Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne in 1969, before receiving his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1973. He received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California, in 2001. He met Linda Wuertz in St. Paul and they were married after graduating from college in 1969. In the parish, Stoterau and his wife had the joy of serving together, as she was Director of Worship and Music in both congregations where he served as pastor. Their marriage is blessed with two sons.

From 2000 to 2018 Stoterau served as President of the Pacific Southwest District, leading congregations in southern California, Arizona, and southern Nevada. He pastored Emmaus Lutheran Church, Alhambra, California (1973–1983) and Epiphany Lutheran Church, Chandler, Arizona (1983–2000). He served as Vice Chairman of the Council of Presidents from 2006 to 2009 and Chairman of the Council from 2009 to 2015. He chaired the LCMS Mission 21st-Century Task Force (2002–2005) and was Vice Chairman of the LCMS Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance (2005–2010). He was the Council of Presidents’ representative to the Pastoral Leadership Institute (2001–2006) and Concordia University System (2016–2018). He was a member of the Board of Regents, Concordia University, Irvine (2000– 2018), and currently serves on the Board of LINC International.

Stoterau is an active community member, having served on the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Alhambra Community Hospital Board of Review. He was active in the Alhambra Kiwanis Club and the Chandler Rotary Club, serving as President.