The Rev. Dr. John C. Richter is Vice President for Church Relations with Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries. As such, he is responsible for maintaining the organization’s relationships with a variety of church bodies, including the national church, synods, and conferences and mission districts. The Rev. Dr. Richter also works closely with pastors and congregations.

Before joining Diakon, the Rev. Dr. Richter served as senior pastor of Atonement Lutheran Church in Wyomissing, Pa., from 1993 to March 2005. He also served as pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church, Franklin Square, N.Y., from 1980 and 1993 and Reedemer-St. John’s Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., from 1975 to 1980.

The Rev. Dr. Richter earned his Doctor of Ministry degree at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and also holds a master of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York and a bachelor's degree from New York University.

He currently serves on the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the board of trustees of the Philadelphia seminary, the candidacy committee of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA, and the board of directors of Opportunity House, Reading, Pa.

The Rev. Dr. Richter works at Diakon’s administrative services center in Allentown, Pa., and can be reached by calling (610) 682-1223.