"What I really liked most about your book is the consistent connection between death and resurrection.  I believe Paschal Mystery is the only context from which all of life makes sense. The notion of war as redemption is still lingering in my soul. It had me laughing, crying and thinking. You really gave me insights into the war that had never crossed my mind.  Thanks for that. There are chapters in your book that I'll be reading a few more times."   - Catholic Priest "The speech you gave moved me...At first I was afraid to think about becoming a soldier in the United States Army, but after that speech, I'm definitely going to join the Army. I really want to help poor people in other countries like you did! Thank you so much!"  - Middle School Student

John Krenson: Citizen. Soldier. Minister. Ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church, John ministers a large downtown church.  As a Major in the Tennessee Army National Guard he served in Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division in the War on Terror during 2003-2004 as an Intelligence Officer.  A true citizen-soldier, John Krenson has also built a career in business over the past two decades.  Now he has united his interests, writing  Crossfire A Time for Peace, War & Love.

Trained In The Way Of Love and War

Upon graduation from Marquette University in 1986 with a degree in Political Science, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Reserve and 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. It took four years of intense scriptural, theological, and pastoral training to be ordained at the age of 35 as a Permanent Deacon in the Catholic Church.

A native and current resident of Nashville, Tennessee, he married his sweetheart, Carrie, in 1993, and adopted two beautiful children, Dasha and Evan, four times traveling their homeland, Russia, to arrange their arrival. Months after his ordination, he and a friend and fellow minister purchased a chemical manufacturing firm that grew with success. Four years passed, and only three weeks after adopting his son, he was called into active service.  He returned to his family, ministry and civilian career in May, 2004.

Fighting the Just War

He fought in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) on ground 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. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel John now serves as the Commander of the 1-117th Military Police Battalion (Regional Training Center) Tennessee Army National Guard training soldiers in military police skills.  He has been active in the US Army's State Partnership Program linking National Guard units with former Soviet Bloc militaries to develop strong relationships and military interoperability.

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

Telling the Good News


Today John Krenson 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 john@johnkrenson.com or
615-545-0299.