Building Relationships That Strengthen the Mission

At Lutheran Family Service, ministry is carried out by people who are passionate about serving others and sharing Christ’s love. One of those people is Rob Kellar, LFS’s new Director of Donor Engagement.

After more than three decades in Lutheran education, Rob brings a lifetime of ministry experience and a heart for serving others. His personal experiences have also given him a unique appreciation for many of the services LFS provides and for the supporters who make this work possible.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’ve been a Lutheran my whole life and spent more than 32 years serving in Lutheran education as both a teacher and principal at six schools in Florida, Illinois, and Missouri. I grew up in suburban Chicago, where my parents were foster parents, and our family adopted my sister in 1974. Those experiences helped shape my heart for serving others and make my work at Lutheran Family Service especially meaningful.

My first teaching call took me to South Florida in 1990, where I met my wife, Karen. We’ve been happily married ever since and have three grown children. In 2000, we moved to Collinsville, Illinois, where we’ve lived ever since. My wife, Karen, and I have been married for more than 36 years, and we have three grown children.

What led you to Lutheran Family Service?

After many rewarding years in Lutheran education, I stepped away in 2022. I wanted to transition before experiencing the burnout I’d seen affect so many dedicated educators and ministry leaders.

Over the next few years, God led me through several different roles. I worked in an auto body shop, mentored new educators, taught Seizure First Aid for the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois, and served as a manufacturing representative.

When the opportunity at Lutheran Family Service came along, it felt like a natural next step. I was excited to join an organization that serves people in so many meaningful ways.

What has impressed you most since joining LFS?

The people. I’ve had the opportunity to meet many members of the LFS team, and I’ve been inspired by their compassion, dedication, and enthusiasm. Every day, they’re helping individuals, strengthening families, and sharing Christ’s love in practical ways. It’s exciting to be part of that mission.

Why does the mission of LFS resonate with you personally?

Several areas of LFS’s ministry connect directly to my own life. Growing up in a foster family and having an adopted sister gives me a deep appreciation for our adoption and foster care ministries. Having witnessed burnout in ministry helps me understand the importance of church worker wellness. I’ve also personally benefited from counseling, so I know firsthand the difference compassionate care can make.

These experiences help me appreciate the life-changing work LFS does every day.

What do you hope to accomplish in your new role?

As Director of Donor Engagement, I hope to build meaningful relationships with people who share a passion for our mission. Although not everyone can serve clients directly, everyone has the opportunity to make an impact through prayer, generosity, and encouragement.

I want our supporters to clearly see how their partnership changes lives and helps Lutheran Family Service continue serving individuals and families with Christ’s love.

What would you like our supporters to know?

I want our supporters to know that their partnership is vital to the mission of Lutheran Family Service. No matter the size of their gift or how often they’re able to give, they are an important part of something much bigger than themselves.

Every act of generosity helps make a real difference. It means a young woman facing difficult choices has someone to walk alongside her. It helps children find loving, permanent families through adoption and foster care. It supports Lutheran church workers as they navigate the unique challenges of ministry. Most importantly, it allows LFS to continue sharing Christ’s love through compassionate care and life-changing services.

Our supporters may not always see the lives they’re impacting, but they are making that impact every single day. I’m grateful for every person who chooses to partner with us in this important work.

What do you enjoy outside of work?

I enjoy fishing, spending time outdoors, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears, which is probably one of the reasons I appreciate the value of good counseling!

As Rob begins this new chapter with Lutheran Family Service, he looks forward to building lasting relationships with the faithful supporters who make our ministry possible. Through their prayers, encouragement, and generous partnership, donors help us walk alongside people experiencing difficult seasons of life—offering hope, compassionate care, and the love of Christ.

We are grateful to have Rob on our team as we continue advancing this life-changing mission. Together with our supporters, we can continue sharing hope, providing help, and reminding people that they are never alone.