​Zak Kratzer

I am a seminary graduate with experience in Worship Ministry, Christian leadership and Creative Arts. And I provide spiritual and musical direction to praise teams and congregations through direct coaching and through my online content. I also provide creative videography, photography, editing and graphic design. I live in Kentucky with my wife, Kara and our daughter, Lucy! I love traveling, hiking and coffee. I’m always practicing and writing music as well as seeking to improve my skills. My wife and I are excited to explore our call to ministry and take the next step of obedience, following God's guidance.
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Spiritual Gifts:
  1. Leadership
  2. Evangelism
  3. Administration
  4. Faith
Education

Master of Divinity | Asbury Theological Seminary | Graduated May 2021
  • Received The Wesley Scholar's Scholarship (2016 - 2021)
  • Served on the Chapel Intern Team both as a volunteer and as staff
  • Planned Nights of Praise with student worship musicians
  • Received the Award of Distinction for Outstanding Scholarship and Leadership in Christian Worship from the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies 

BA in Broadcasting & Electronic Media | Eastern Kentucky University | Graduated May 2009
  • Video-Editing helpdesk assistant and equipment coordinator in the Dept. of Communications at EKU
  • Served on leadership at the Baptist Campus Ministry and represented the BCM at campus events
  • Planned campus-wide worship concerts with multiple ministries and coordinated the events with student-affairs

​Ministry Job Experience

Interim Worship Pastor | Lighthouse Community Church | 2020 - 2022
  • Plan, Implement and Lead the worship team in weekly worship services
  • Coordinate sound and tech team in weekly worship services
  • Serve on Church Leadership Team
  • Develop online resources to encourage the community to worship throughout the week
  • Helped to create a combined, multi-ethnic team in a church merger

Student Worship Music Intern | Asbury Theological Seminary | 2019 - 2021
  • Plan, Implement and Facilitate student worship musicians in student-lead weekly chapels
  • Meet with the chapel team and worship coordinator on a regular basis
  • Help develop creative elements for chapels
  • Work with international worship leaders and musicians

Worship Pastor | Northridge and First United Methodist Church | 2013 - 2018 
  • Planned and implemented weekly worship services
  • Developed creative resources and videos, teaching others how to produce video content
  • Helped facilitate a pastor transition and church merger
  • Met weekly with a worship planning team

Ministry Intern | EKU Wesley Foundation | 2014 - 2017
  • Discipled and equipped college students in small group Bible Studies and on the leadership team
  • Coordinated a college student worship team
  • Met weekly with other staff and leadership
  • Helped start and promote a coffee shop for promotional and ministry purposes
  • Planned and implemented community and outreach events and activities


General Job Experience

Barista | Starbucks, London KY | Since March 2021
  • Responsible for customer connection, POS systems, making quality product and customer satisfaction

Online English as a Second Language Teacher | VipKid | 2019 - 2021
  • Worked in a cross cultural online environment to provide online English lessons for children

​Assistant Inventory Manager | Soft Shoe Inc. | 2010 - 2015
  • Was responsible for managing inventory, receiving and ordering stock and overseeing the operations of the stock room

Sales Associate | Gap Outlet Inc. | 2007 - 2010 
  • Was responsible for customer interaction, the appearance of the sales floor and operations in the stock room

Caterer | EKU Catering | 2007 - 2009​
  • Responsible for client satisfaction, visual presentation and the operations of transporting, handling and serving food and beverages at EKU

Skills

Career Skills

  • Team Leadership
  • Organizational Change
  • Pastoral Leadership
  • Music Leadership
  • Preaching
  • Planning/Administration
  • Communications
  • Cross-Cultural Leadership

Instruments

  • Acoustic Guitar
  • Electric Guitar
  • Bass
  • Banjo
  • Ukulele
  • Pad/Synth
  • Cajon

Technical Proficiencies

  • DSLR Cameras and Camcorders
  • Video editing software
  • Photoshop
  • ​DAW
  • Digital and Analog Soundboards
  • Mobile and Desktop Live-Streaming
  • Song Select and Planning Center
  • ​Custom chord sheets
  • Basic Music Theory & Transposing

Current Projects...

The HousePlants Podcast

Over 100 Episodes of collaborative Audio Content focused on music, media and the mission of God.

Freelance Media

Serving various clients in churches, organizations and small businesses.

Rediscovering Worship Blog

Providing resources to help equip and train lay and professional worship leaders and teams.