Pastor Bert Cloud

A smiling middle-aged man with gray hair and beard standing outdoors in front of a blurred background of trees and a pond.

Pastor Bert Cloud serves River Road United Methodist Church in Richmond, Virginia, with a story rooted in grace. In the 1990s, a profound renewal of faith drew him back to Jesus and, eventually, into a life of ministry marked by a deep commitment to loving people to life through hope, healing, and authentic human connection.

Pastor Bert has provided spiritual and psychological care for over 37 years, first as a school psychologist and then as a United Methodist pastor for more than two decades. His passion for ministry is connecting people with Christ, themselves, and one another. In his pastoral work, he offers spiritual companionship, guidance, and leadership shaped by hope, healing, and a spirit of joy.

He earned a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta and was ordained an Elder in 2005. He is currently a doctoral student at Wesley Theological Seminary, studying soul care, trauma, and moral injury.

Pastor Bert has developed, trained, and supervised lay congregational care ministries. His additional ministry interests include spiritual formation, teaching, mission engagement, and content creation. Throughout his ministry, he has mentored and coached clergy, as well as individuals discerning a call to ministry.

A native of southwestern Virginia, Bert comes from a family of educators. He is married to the Rev. Gina Anderson-Cloud, Lead Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Richmond. They have three adult children: Kayana, a criminal justice major at the University of Mount Olive and a basketball scholarship recipient; Danielle, a recent BSN grad and nurse at UVA; and Trae, a police officer and noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Bert enjoys landscape and contemplative photography, hiking wooded trails, travel, good writing, and sharing meals with family and friends. He also values contemplative prayer, diverse music, and time with the family dog and cat. His favorite Scripture passage is Ephesians 2:1–10, his favorite poets are Robert Frost and Mary Oliver, and his favorite pastoral activity is celebrating Holy Communion.