Dr. John Eckrich, MD Creator and Executive Vice-chair

Dr. Eckrich situated Sophistication Lay Fitness Ministries from inside the 1999. He or she is along with the author of multiple courses to the fitness, ministry and you will Christian traditions.

Born and elevated during the St. Louis, Missouri payday loan Heritage Village, John went to Lutheran colleges once the an infant, graduating regarding Lutheran Highschool Southern area. He finished regarding Washington University inside the St. Louis additionally the School out of Missouri College away from Medication into the Columbia, Missouri. He done their scientific training within College or university of Chi town because an other when you look at the gastroenterology and hepatology.

Dr. John served the latest St. Louis area for more than 40 years since the a practicing internist and you can gastroenterologist. He’d exclusive chance to take care of hundreds of Lutheran chapel experts in addition to their family, and additionally seminary professors, pupils and lots of leadership from the LCMS International Cardio.

Throughout the their early occupation, John noticed the results out-of worry and you can challenges from ministry on the personal and you may family members lifetime. The guy achieved most other advantages to look at and create health feel and methods to proactively target brand new rising tide out of church employee burnout and ill-health.

Its conclusions led John to help you receive Grace Lay Fitness Ministries, now which have supported over 10,000 church workers and you may household courtesy Sophistication Set Fitness retreats.

John lives in the fresh new St. Louis urban area together with spouse, Kathy. He’s got three grown up students as well as 2 grandchildren. Dr. John uses as frequently day together with grandchildren as possible.

Dr. Darrell Zimmerman, DMin Retired Manager Director

Darrell oversaw all aspects out of Elegance Put Wellness Ministries about slide away from 2012 up to . Their passions remains enabling ministry specialists along side whole spectrum of Christianity excel inside their callings for their whole work.

A native of Portland, Oregon, Darrell graduated along with his Master out-of Divinity out-of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, within the 1982. He supported 30 years given that good parish pastor when you look at the St. Louis, Missouri, and you can Saginaw, Michigan. He or she is an experienced intentional interim minister regarding the LCMS.

He and his partner, Carol, attended the original Grace Lay Fitness retreat in the slip out of 2000, after that first started top retreats when you look at the Sophistication Set Wellness’ earlier many years. He in addition to received their D. He had been crucial into the development the brand new Ministry Class Health Refuge. During the age meantime president and President and you can served till the purchase because of the LCEF, when he took on the new part away from vice-president from Ministry Choice, manager away from Sophistication Lay Fitness. Once nearly 11 great decades top Elegance Lay Fitness, Darrell retired in .

Darrell and you can Carol real time just a few short kilometers off their around three children and you can five grandchildren from the St. Louis area. For the later years, he looks forward to spending time with all of them, woodworking and playing a good amount of tennis. We’re grateful to possess their sum so you can Grace Set Wellness.

Rev. Tim Fangmeier Sabbatical Advisor

Instructions professional church gurus in creating the sabbatical feel is the one really fulfilling anything getting Rev. Fangmeier. His classes education try thanks to Valwood Authoritative Instructors (2002-2008). George Bullard, Jane Creswell and you can Linda Miller, with other teachers, used it knowledge. In addition to classes pastors within the planning sabbaticals, Fangmeier also coaches church experts that happen to be in transition otherwise conflict situations.

Rev. Fangmeier’s trip during the ministry was an appealing you to definitely. In the school, the guy read Advertising and Conversion Administration on Bowling Environmentally friendly Condition School, Bowling Environmentally friendly, Ohio, in which he obtained a Bachelor of Research running a business Government. Throughout the summers for the school, Rev. Fangmeier marketed Electrolux vacuum cleaners door-to-door, that has been plus an informative experience.

The fresh dictate from his campus pastor led him to look at seminary knowledge, in which he finished regarding Concordia Theological Seminary from inside the Springfield, Ill., within the 1971. Rev. Fangmeier’s basic phone call was to initiate a goal congregation during the Fort Myers, Fla. The guy pastored around until 1979 and aided in two strengthening procedures and you may thinking-help condition toward congregation.