May 22, 2008

CHICAGO – 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.

ELCA News Service