"CCDA has lost a founder and great friend and heaven has gained an advocate for justice." – Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner, CCDA Board Chair

After a year's battle with cancer, CCDA friend and founder, Glen Kehrein, slipped into the arms of God just before 10:30 pm Saturday night, November 12, 2011. His loving wife, Lonni, held him in her arms, and his daughter Tara, held his hand. He was surrounded by other loving family and friends.

Viewings will be held on Friday, November 18th from 5pm - 8pm and on Saturday morning from 10am-11am. A funeral will follow on Saturday morning, November 19th at 11am. Both will be held at Circle Urban Ministries on 118 N Central Ave in Chicago, IL. If you would like to submit a short note about Glen's life and legacy for our memorial page, please complete the "comments" section on the bottom of this web page or email your thoughts to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; (please include your full name and relationship to Glen).

Glen was known for his passion for social justice, his humility, his amazingly radiant spirit, and his deep love for God, his family and his community. His spirit is reflected in this excerpt from his blog, written shortly after his cancer diagnosis last year:

Overwhelmed by Love (Dec 19, 2010)

Crisis does have a way of focusing attention and realigning priorities.

It seems that more living gets crowded into every minute because the appreciation quotient zooms. What gets crowded out is the frivolous (like TV) and the minor (is it really important to argue over that?) Affirmation of each other zooms too. Kisses, hugs and "I love you's" are way, way up in our home. (And outside too.) Cy, our little 7 year old, is very attuned to my situation. Without solicitation he tells me, "I love you Daddy" or "You're the best!" many times a day. Lonni and I have never been more in love and I thank God we are in such unity as we face the battle together. As many of you know Lonni is an amazing woman and the true substance of our little family. I've never met someone of higher character than Lonni. There are not words to express how fortunate I am . . . (http://glenkehrein.blogspot.com/2010/12/overwhelmed-by-love.html)

CCDA's Bio of Glen's Life and Ministry:

Glen Kehrein was the Executive Director and founder of Circle Urban Ministries. Except for a brief two-year period while studying at Wheaton College, the inner city had been home to Glen and his wife Lonni and their three children. In the last thirty-two years Circle has grown to become a national leader in urban community ministry and development. Under Glen's leadership, programs in health care, legal aid, housing rehab and management, youth outreach and leadership development, homeless shelter, food pantry and education are bringing tangible hope and help to thousands each year.

Glen co-authored the award-winning book, Breaking Down Walls, a Model of Reconciliation in an Age of Racial Strife. He traveled extensively to speak on the topic of racial reconciliation and urban ministry and had been a frequent guest on TV and radio. He was a contributing author to three other books about inner city life and work and wrote numerous articles for publications. Glen had a B.A. in Bible/Theology from Moody Bible Institute and a B.A. in Sociology from Wheaton College.

In 1997, Glen was recognized for his contributions by becoming the first American to be awarded a Doctorate of Peacemaking from Westminster College. In receiving this honor he joined the ranks of previous grantees Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire of Northern Ireland; Mrs. Leah Rabin, wife of slain former Prime Minister of Israel and The Grand Mufti of Egypt Dr. Muhammad Sayed Tantawi, the highest authority on Islamic law in Egypt.