Jeffery Keefer Director of Music
Music Director Jeffrey Keefer grew up in Three Rivers and graduated from Western Michigan University in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in music composition. Along with his church position, he teaches music lessons out of his home, operates a recording studio, Keefer Music, and plays with a variety of music ensembles including one he leads, Sentimental Jones.
Jeffrey leads worship music from the organ, piano, and guitar and has recently composed and dedicated a liturgy to the congregation of St. John's Lutheran. Being versed in both traditional and contemporary styles of worship music, he has also written and recorded an album of contemporary praise and worship songs. Enjoying the community of Three Rivers, you may find Jeffrey jogging with his dog Koda, riding his bike to and from St. John's, or World Fare (a fair trade store where he volunteers his time), or attending ballroom dance class at "It's Your World".
David Recher Commissioned Lay Minister
David came to St. John’s as a teen-ager when his father, the Rev. John M. Recher, became our pastor in 1946. He has made Three Rivers his home since. David is a graduate of Three Rivers High School and attended Michigan State University. He also completed numerous courses of study at the Michigan Judicial Institute and the National Institute for Court Management. He is a lifelong, self-taught student of the Bible, theology and related studies. He is a graduate of the NW Lower Michigan Synod’s Lay Missionary Program and a charter member of the Board of Governors of both the Lay Missionary and Synodically Authorized Ministry (SAM) Programs.
He retired in 1992 after more than 23 years as Administrator and Magistrate of the St. Joseph County District Court.He has served the congregation in many ways over the years: teaching young people’s, adult, and catechism classes; Sunday School superintendent; chair of Christian education and evangelism committees, church council member and president of the congregation. David has also compiled a training manual for lectors, entitled, "The Untied Tongue." As Lay Minister, David is active in worship planning and St. John’s Arts Council, leads a Sunday morning adult forum, assists the Pastor in preaching and leading worship, and serves as lector and communion assistant. He and his wife, Mary, co-chair the congregation’s outreach team and lead a small group for seniors.
Rev. Karleen Kay Kinker Pastor
Pastor Karleen was installed as St. John's Pastor on May 23, 2010.
Teddie Kinney Office Manager
