Staff

Pastor Don Kretzschmar – Executive Director/Chaplain

Pastor Don Kretzschmar is a chaplain and the executive director in Voice of Care. A graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and ordained in 1969, he has served congregations in New York and Northern Illinois and has given specialized pastoral care to people with disabilities and their families for over 20 years. He serves as Chaplain every week at institutions not associated with a church, at the Voice of Care HandyCamps at Walcamp and as consultant and trainer in disability ministry for congregations. Married to Marni/Martha since 1975, he has two married daughters and four grandchildren. A member of St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Pastor Don welcomes the opportunity to visit as preacher and/or Bible class leader to help congregations in disability ministry.

Deaconess Jana Peters – Chaplain Assistant

Deaconess Jana Knight Peters has served with Voice of Care ministry for 5 years. Through field work as a Concordia Deaconess student, internship, and now as a called Deaconess with Voice of Care, she is well trained and experienced in this disability ministry. Deaconess Jana provides spiritual care to institutions and congregations, helps with training, resources, and leadership in disability ministry, and is in charge of the Handy Camp ministries at Walcamp, as well as Voice of Care’s annual disability ministry mission trip to Mississippi in every year since Hurricane Katrina hit there in 2005. Deaconess Jana feels the best part about working with people who are disabled is watching the Body of Christ be formed the way Paul speaks of it in 1 Corinthians 12, the Church, One Body, many parts, weak and strong, all essential in Christ’s mission.

Dian Cracraft – Administrative Assistant

Dian Cracraft was hired in May, 2004 as the Administrative Assitant. She works for Pastor Kretzschmar and Deaconess Peters. Has lived in West Chicago and been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for 22 years.