Andy Krey

Pastor Krey serves as Executive Secretary of the Lutheran Association for Maritime Ministry which observes its 25th anniversary in 2006. L.A.M.M. promotes the value, witness, and joy of Lutheran congregations’ evangelization with the people of the sea. Three quarters of “planet ocean” is not earth but water, and LAMM honors those who offer themselves up to a very dangerous and lonely occupation upon the waters.

In 1969 Pastor Krey began his love affair with the oceans, ships, and the maritime world by shipping out as a cook on super oil tankers. As a crew member he was impressed with the church’s outreach to the crew as his giant ships docked in ports around the world. The Boston Seamen’s Friend Society and the American Seaman’s Friend Society of New York City sponsored his attending the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg expecting Krey to return to work as a minister to mariners.

Krey pastored a mission-minded parish in Bristol, Connecticut, for 14 years, served as a U.S. Navy Chaplain for 20 years, held the post of Directory of Chaplaincy for a New York City deck plate ministry, and presently leads St. Peter’s Lutheran congregation on Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island. Living at the Seaman’s Church Institute of Newport, Rhode Island, Krey is surrounded by water, fishing vessels, cruise ships, yachts, and bridges as well as caring and loving Christians. How can you beat that if you are a Lutheran with salt water in your veins?

While serving on active duty with the U.S. Navy in Cuba, Chaplain Krey wrote a contemporary musical commemorating the 500th anniversary of Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper. The play will be presented on eight evenings this Lent at St. Peter’s Church on Broadway, New port, Rhode Island. The play has appeared twice off Broadway in New York City.

Chaplain Krey is one of 16 children. English is his second language, born in Brooklyn, New York, into a family just returned from war-torn Germany. He is married to Sally Olson Krey a physical therapist. Sally is an avid DSF, Alpha, and Bethel Bible teacher. They have two children; Heather who is an industrial engineer and mother of their two grandchildren, and Ben who is a second year student at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Chaplain Krey has no clue where Ben got the idea to enter the ministry.

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Chaplain Krey offering Holy Communion.	Chaplain Krey offering Holy Communion to Harley Pasaporte, C/O aboard the M/V SUMMER MEADOW in Port of Bridgeport, CT.