Dr. John Eckrich, MD

Dr. John Eckrich, MD
Founder and Executive Vice Chair

Dr. Eckrich founded Grace Place Wellness Ministries in 1999. He’s also the author of several books on wellness, ministry, and Christian living.

Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, John attended Lutheran schools as a child, graduating from Lutheran High School South. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia, Mo. He finished his medical training at the University of Chicago as a Fellow in Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Dr. John served the St. Louis community for over 40 years as a practicing Internist and Gastroenterologist. He had the unique opportunity to care for hundreds of Lutheran church workers and their families, including Seminary professors, students, and many leaders at the LCMS International Center.

During his early career, John observed the effects of stress and challenges of ministry on personal and family life. He gathered other professionals to examine and develop health skills and strategies to proactively address the rising tide of church worker burnout and ill-health.

Their findings led John to found Grace Place Wellness Ministries, now having served over 10,000 church workers and families through Grace Place Wellness retreats.

His books include:

• Vocation and Wellness: Renew Your Energy for Christian Living
• Family Wellness: Raising Resilient, Christ-Purposed Children
• Fear, Anxiety and Wellness: Journey to a Heart at Peace
• Resilient Aging and Wellness: Mindful Stewardship of Body, Mind and Spirit into the Next Season of Living

John lives in the St. Louis area with his wife, Kathy. They have three grown children and two grandchildren — and Dr. John spends as much time with his grandkids as possible.