Pictured above is the cast of the 2006 “Treasure Cove” Vacation Bible School Video from Concordia Publishing House
April Chem, Sam Harper, Dr. Jeffrey Burkart (artistic and musical director for the video), Natessa Bartleson, Molly Grube, Spencer Garborg, Luis Nufio, Claire Courtney, Donte Claypool, Mikaela Sarran, Nick Zelenak, Skyler Montour
Brief Biography - Dr. Jeffrey E. Burkart
Dr. Jeffrey E. Burkart, Associate Dean of the College of Vocation and Ministry and Professor of Educational Media/Communications at Concordia University, St. Paul, MN, is a nationally known teacher, author, speaker, dramatist, and musician who has given over 1,700 presentation and has more than 100 publication to his credit including books, articles, plays, Christian musicals, spiritual songs, hymns, CD recordings, videos and films.
Dr. Burkart earned his BA degree at Concordia Teachers College (now Concordia University), River Forest, Illinois; his MA from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Nebraska, and his PhD at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. In addition to his teaching and administrative duties at Concordia – St. Paul, he has served as organist at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Roseville, MN for the past 28 year and also served as long and short-term substitute organist throughout the Twin Cities area. Last year he was the recipient of the Alumnus of the Year (Officiam ab Ducere – Leader by Service) Award from Luther High School North, Chicago, IL, and on May 7th of this year Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois confered upon him an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree in recognition of his service to the church, society, and the university.
He has composed numerous hymn texts and tunes and is often commissioned to write hymns for church anniversaries, and other special occasions. Over the past three years he was commissioned to write hymns for the 150th anniversary of the Eastern District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod , the 150th anniversary of First Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cedarburg, WI, the 125th anniversary of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marengo, IL, a children’s song for Lutheran Special Education Ministries, and a song for the Wheat Ridge Ministries Hope for China project.
In 1999, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) commissioned Dr. Burkart to write a musical setting of the Common Table Prayer and a new LWML theme song titled, "In League with Our Lord." He served as keyboard musician and speaker for the 1999 and 2001 LWML international conventions. In 2001 the LWML commissioned him to create a CD of favorite convention hymns for the LWML's 60th Anniversary.
Dr. Burkart recently keynoted at the North Wisconsin Pastors Conference, the Southern Illinois, South Wisconsin, and California/Nevada/Hawaii Educators Conferences, the Northern Illinois Sunday School Teachers Conference, the South Dakota, South Wisconsin, and Texas District Conferences of the LWML. This past summer he was commissioned to write and direct a series of original chancel dramas and hymns for the Region II Convention of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians held in Rockford, Illinois. This summer and fall he will be the Storyweaver for the Southern District’s Intergenerational Gathering in Panama City, Florida, speak at several LWML gatherings, present workshops at the North Wisconsin Professional Workers Conference and keynote for the Michigan District’s Pastors Conference.
His latest book, The Hidden Prince, an allegorical folk tale about Christ’s unconditional love, was published by Concordia Publishing House. Other books by Dr. Burkart include: The Sonday School Book: Ideas and Resources for Teaching the Faith; Sure Can Use A Little Good News: 12 Gospel Plays in Rhyme; numerous Arch Books; and musicals based on the Book of Jonah ("Man Overboard!") and the story of the three men in the fiery furnace ("Don't Get Burned!"). Dr. Burkart's Easter CD, "Oh, Come, Risen One" was released in 2003 and is the third in a series of CD's that also include "Oh, Come, Lord Jesus" and "Oh, Come, Emmanuel” (Christmas Hymns, Carols, and Spiritual Songs).
Before coming to Concordia University, St. Paul in 1977 Dr. Burkart taught in LC-MS elementary, junior high, and secondary schools in Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. He and his wife, Martha, have three sons (Jonathan 30, David 27, and Andrew 21) and reside in Roseville, MN.
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