Our Leadership
The Reverend Gerald “Jerry” Reinke
Pastor Jerry Reinke grew up on a farm in Twin Falls, Idaho and has been a Lutheran his whole life. He followed in the family trade, but during the farm crisis of the 1980s chose to water a different seed. He attended college at Concordia University in Wisconsin and then continued his education at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.
Following his education, he was placed in a large congregation near Chicago. In 1999 Jerry accepted the call to return to Idaho to become an Idaho Circuit Rider pastor. He and his wife, Karen, purchased a semi-truck equipped with an outdoor stage and climbing walls and traveled to remote communities across Southern Idaho with a team of college students who helped them perform concerts and host Bible School activities.
From 2005 to 2012 Jerry served as pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Idaho Falls. He answered the call to become pastor at Valley of Peace in 2013 and remains the pastor today.
Ted Keil, Lead Elder
Theodore “Ted” Kiel is a native of Columbus, Indiana where he attended St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Ted was involved with the family wholesale and retail petroleum business for many years. Moving to the Wood River Valley in 2004, Ted soon joined Valley of Peace Lutheran Church. As Lead Elder, Ted assists the pastor in ministering to the spiritual needs of the congregation.
Craig Levitan, Congregation President
Craig Levitan serves as president of the congregation. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Craig followed his father and uncle to the Wood River Valley. He operates an appliance repair business in the valley. As president, Craig heads the congregation and oversees the church’s business affairs and ministry programs.