John H. Welch

John Henry Welch met his Lord and Savior on March 28, 2026. He passed away peacefully at home.

John was born on November 4, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, to Johnny and Jeanette (Swierenga) Welch. He was the third of four children. John was born with an enlarged heart and the doctors said he would most likely not survive infancy, but God had a plan for his long life. The Welch family was deeply involved at The Moody Church and Moody Youth Camp (Moyoca), where John spent his childhood summers and much of his youth working and serving. It was there that he developed his lifelong love for people and cooking—two gifts at which he truly excelled. It was also there that he met his beloved wife, Kathy. They were married on April 14, 1973, at The Moody Church.

John began his career in Christian camping ministry as head cook at Timber-lee Christian Center, later serving as director of Camp Moyoca, followed by a couple of years as a regional salesman for Peter Yeh. During this season, John and Kathy were called to begin a prayer meeting in their home in Antioch, Illinois. What started as a small gathering grew into the founding group of Chain of Lakes Community Bible Church.

Soon after, John was invited by his former youth pastor, Jim Gwinn, to join Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. In 1986, Moody relocated John and his family to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he became director of the Moody Keswick Bible Conference. His deep love for people and desire for them to know the Lord were evident in his leadership.

In 1990, John and his family moved to Silverdale, Washington, where he served as Vice President of Camps and Conferences for CRISTA Ministries in Seattle. During his time there, he impacted thousands of young people from around the world through ministries at Island Lake and Miracle Ranch camps, Alderbrook Conference Center, and Crista Shores Senior Community. He also became actively involved with Christian Camping International (CCI) and the Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA).

Following his time at CRISTA, John returned to Timber-lee Christian Center in East Troy, Wisconsin, as director. He later answered a call to serve in Southern California as director of Pine Summit Camp and Conference Center in Big Bear. In his final ministry role before retirement, John returned home to Wisconsin, serving as director of Wonderland Camp and Conference Center in Salem Lakes.

John loved camp ministry because it allowed him to do what he loved most—serve others. Whether through preparing meals or leading with humility and excellence, he faithfully lived out his calling as the hands and feet of Christ. He was known for being slow to anger, humble, patient, loving, and deeply faithful. Sharing the love of Jesus with both children and adults was his greatest joy, and he did it exceptionally well.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James. He is survived by his wife of nearly 53 years, Kathy; his five children: Amy; Jonathan and Nicole; Timothy and Amanda; and their families. He is also survived by eight (soon to be ten) grandchildren—Meaghan (engaged to Mateo), Mallorie, Jonathan, Averie, Noah, Ruth, Johnny, Adaline, and Laura-Jean, as well as one soon-to-be great-grandchild. He is further survived by his siblings Connie and Duane, George and Bonnie, and stepbrothers Dean and Linda, and Ed and Nita.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at Chain of Lakes Community Bible Church in Lake Villa, Illinois, on April 11, 2026. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. A light meal will be served afterward. If you are unable to attend in person the service will be live streamed, click ‘Join Livestream’.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Timber-lee Christian Center sponsorship program to help more children hear about Jesus and His love for them. Here is a link to the site. Select ‘Scholarship’ from the Campaign dropdown and in the note state “in memorial of John Welch”.