Deaconess Betsy (Karkan) Dodgers has served as Concordia University Chicago's Director of Ministry Strategies.

Deaconess Betsy Dodgers has served at Concordia University Chicago since 2010. A Concordia-Chicago alumna, she graduated in 2008 with a B.A. in theology before beginning a 2-year deaconess internship in Thailand as a Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) missionary. In 2010 she received a call as the University Deaconess to Concordia-Chicago working alongside University Pastor Jeff Leininger. There she cared for the spiritual needs of the CUC community, advising the Spiritual Life student organization, serving as a coordinator of the Pre-Seminary and Westfield House programs and supporting the University's Church Relations office. In 2018 she completed her M.A. in Human Services and, in 2019 led the initiative to establish the Pillars Pantry to assist students facing food insecurity. She continues her work now in the Office of Church Relations.

Degrees

  • MA, Human Services - Concordia University Chicago; River Forest, IL
  • BA, Theology and Deaconess Studies - Concordia University Chicago; River Forest, IL

Academic and Professional Highlights

Prior Positions

  • LCMS Office of International Mission - Thailand Service Coordinator
  • University Deaconess 

Publications:

  • "The Holy Innocents" Lutheran Reformation, https://lutheranreformation.org/theology/the-holy-innocents/ (December, 2017)

  • "The Cradle of Christ in Every Home: Reformation Translations of the Bible." Lutheran Reformation, lutheranreformation.org/history/cradle-christ-every-home-reformation-translations-bible/ (October, 2017)

  • "What Did The Reformers Say About Angels," Lutheran Reformation, https://lutheranreformation.org/theology/reformers-say-angels/ (September, 2017)

  • "Hope That Gives Life," The Lutheran Witness, (June/July, 2017)

  • "Luther's Love for St. Mary, the Queen of Heaven," Lutheran Reformation, https://lutheranreformation.org/theology/luthers-love-st-mary-queen-heaven/ (May, 2017)

  • "Lutheran Advent Traditions," Lutheran Reformation, https://lutheranreformation.org/get-involved/lutheran-advent-traditions/ (December 2016)

  • "Why Mercy?" Lutheran Reformation, https://lutheranreformation.org/theology/why-mercy/ (September, 2016)

  • "Lutherans in Lithuania," Lutheran Reformation, https://lutheranreformation.org/history/lutherans-in-lithuania/ (July, 2016)

  • "Faithful Women of the Reformation," Lutheran Reformation, https://lutheranreformation.org/history/faithful-women-reformation/ (May, 2016)

  • "Confessional Lutheranism in Finland (Tunnustuksellinen luterilaisuus Suomessa)," Lutheran Reformation, https://lutheranreformation.org/history/confessional-lutheranism-in-finland-tunnustuksellinen-luterilaisuus-suomessa/ (March, 2016)