John Krenson is an ordained Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church, ministering to a large Nashville congregation. A successful business owner, John is a military police lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard. John served in Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division from 2003-2004. He is the author of Crossfire – A Time for Peace, War & Love, available at www.johnkrenson.com.

Upon graduating from Marquette University in 1986 with a degree in Political Science, John was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U. S. Army Reserve; he subsequently transferred into the Tennessee Army National Guard. Following a spiritual renewal at age 30, he was invited to enter into the Diaconate Formation Program of the Diocese of Nashville in 1995. After four years of intense scriptural, theological and pastoral training, John was ordained at age 35 as a Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church.

John resides in his native city of Nashville, Tenn. He and his wife, Carrie, were married in 1993. They have adopted two beautiful children, Dasha and Evan, four times traveling the children’s homeland, Russia, to arrange their arrival. Not long after being ordained, John partnered with another man to purchase a chemical-manufacturing firm that grew considerably until John sold his interest in the company after he returned from Afghanistan.

Then-Major Krenson fought in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan as the Chief Intelligence Liaison Officer between US Coalition forces and NATO forces, and later as Current Operations Intelligence Officer for Combined Forces Command - Afghanistan. He now serves as the Executive Officer of the 168th Military Police Battalion of the Tennessee Army National Guard and will assume command of a Guard MP battalion in summer 2007. He is active in the U. S. Army’s State Partnership Program, linking National Guard units with former Soviet Bloc militaries to develop strong relationships and military interoperability. In this capacity he has made several lengthy trips to the former East Bloc, concentrating on Bulgaria.

John awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with OLC, the Army Achievement Medal with OLC, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, as well as the Humanitarian Service Medal and the Mississippi Magnolia Medal (both for service following Hurricane Katrina), with a variety of others. He has also been awarded Tennessee awards to include the Tennessee Meritorious Service Ribbon, Tennessee Individual Achievement Ribbon, and the Tennessee War Service Ribbon.

Today John makes campus appearances as speaker for the Young America’s Foundation, and consults organizations and businesses with leadership training nationwide while continuing to serve as a National Guard officer and Deacon in the Catholic Church. He can be reached at [email protected].