wfn.org | Massey Named Director of Lutheran Disaster Response

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

Title: Massey Named Director of Lutheran Disaster Response
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

>May 22, 2008  

Massey Named Director of Lutheran Disaster Response
08-070-MRC

CHICAGO (ELCA) - The Rev. Kevin A. Massey has been named
director of Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a collaborative
ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and
the Lutheran-Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), and director for ELCA
Domestic Disaster Response.

In 2005 Massey became assistant director of ELCA Domestic
Disaster Response.  In 2007 he began serving as acting director
of LDR following the resignation of Heather L. Feltman, who
became president/CEO of Lutheran Social Services of New England
(LSS), Wellesley, Mass.

The Rev. Rebecca S. Larson, executive director, ELCA Church
in Society, and the Rev. Matthew Harrison, executive director,
LCMS World Relief and Human Care, made the announcement of
Massey's appointment in a May 15 letter to both churches.

"During a year when domestic disasters are already
presenting a significant challenge in this country, we believe
that Kevin is the right person at the right time for this
important leadership position.  He demonstrates a unique
combination of broad experience and management skills, as well as
a pastoral heart to assist our (congregations) in their response
to (people) affected by disasters," stated the letter.

Massey graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison,
in 1987, and Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., 1993.  Luther is
one of eight seminaries of the ELCA.

Ordained in 1993, Massey served as pastor of ELCA
congregations in Illinois, Minnesota and North Dakota.  Massey is
a board certified chaplain in the Association of Professional
Chaplains.  He was a trauma and emergency room chaplain for
Advocate Health Care, an ELCA social ministry organization here,
and was an active member of the critical response team of the
American Red Cross Spiritual Care Team at "Ground Zero" in New
York following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.  Massey is fluent
in several languages, including Arabic, Greek and Spanish.

Kevin is married to Shari Massey.  He is member of Holy
Trinity Lutheran Church here.
- - -

Information about Lutheran Disaster Response is available at
http://www.ldr.org on the Internet.

For information contact:

John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog