A musician, storyteller, composer, playwright, actor, director, author, photographer and media producer, Cliff Aerie has spent a lifetime exploring the adventurous terrain of creativity and the Spirit. At the heart of his art and ministry, Cliff is a storyteller inviting others to embark on the spiritual journey of discovering the imaginative landscape of the soul.
Cliff has pastored five congregations, founded an experimental arts ministry and served the United Church of Christ denomination as Minister for Imagination, Creativity and the Arts. Cliff has been leading jazz worship services for more than forty years. He founded The Oîkos Ensemble in 2004. Now based in St. Louis, the ensemble includes pianist Carolbeth True, bassist Glen Smith, drummer David True, trumpeter Tim Osiek, and vocalists Kim Fuller Barnes and Arianna Aerie.
Intersections International has called Cliff’s jazz ministry with Oîkos “imaginative and inventive.” Church World Service says their music is “spirited, prayerful and engaging.” Grammy Awarded winner, Paul Winter says, “I salute Cliff Aerie and the Oîkos Ensemble for their inspired music and mission. They are serving the world with their song.”
