Meet Our Pastor
A Note From Pastor Kenn
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, The church is not the bricks and mortar, but the people assembled around the central things of Word and Sacrament. Here in this church you will see the faces of the body of Christ that gather for weekly Eucharist at 4700 Augustana Drive. But let us not limit our vision. We are a part of the vast community of believers that spans the globe and even time and space itself. Our vision statement calls us to see ourselves in this big picture and to build community for faith to thrive. It takes community to reach out in welcome. In the words of hymn writer Marty Haugen we proclaim: “Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone to heal and strengthen, serve and teach and live the Word they’ve known. Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face; let us bring an end to fear and danger, All are welcome, All are welcome in this place.” God Bless,
~Pastor Kenn
About Pastor Kenn
Pastor Kenneth R. Storck is a 1974 graduate of Concordia Seminary in Exile. He holds a Master of Divinity Degree accredited by three seminaries: Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, St. Louis University Divinity School [Roman Catholic], and Eden Seminary [United Church of Christ]. Kenn is a trained Stephen Ministry leader and holds a certificate
in Spiritual Formation from Grace Institute.
He was ordained into the holy ministry of the church catholic on August 25, 1974. Pastor Kenn has served congregations in all the predecessor bodies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
His ministry has spanned 36 years:
- 1974 – 1977 – St. Paul Lutheran Church – Skokie, IL [Lutheran Church – Mo. Synod]
- 1977 – 1981 – St. Paul Lutheran Church – Washington, PA [Association of Evan. Lutheran Churches]
- 1981 – 1983 – Chaplain at Lutheran High School in Rockford, IL [Pan-Lutheran]
Part-time Assistant Pastor at Grace Lutheran, Loves Park, IL
[Lutheran Church in America] - 1983 – 1994 – Associate Pastor – Trinity Lutheran Church, Rockford, IL [LCA]
- 1994 – 1998 – Team Pastor - St. Mark Lutheran Church, Storm Lake, IA
[Former congregation of American Lutheran Church] - 1998 – Present – Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Rockford, IL
[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]
He leads a weekly Homily Helps group that includes clergy from the Episcopal, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian, and Lutheran – ELCA traditions.
Besides his parish responsibilities, Pr. Kenn is involved with the Northern Illinois Synod teaching First Call Theological Education, and Diakonia Students.