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Johanna Balzer Biography
Visiting displaced people and returnees from the latest Balkans’ war were Johanna’s latest experiences with the realities of the work of Church World Service. In Serbia/Montenegro and Bosnia/Herzegovina Church World Service provided relief supplies during the war, and is currently helping farmers and small business people generate jobs and income, rebuild or replace destroyed homes, and be a presence of hope in the lives of those affected by the war.
Previous overseas visits to Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, Peru, and Chile have been incredible experiences in seeing how Church World Service and the denominations respond to the needs of vulnerable people. Johanna has been with Church World Service since 1981. In 1988 she began serving directly with the CROP Hunger Walks in approximately 50 central and northern Michigan communities. In 2006, she began working in the areas of planned/major gifts, and is currently the staff resource for 30 CROP Hunger Walks.
“Every time I turn on the faucet, look at my healthy children and grandchildren, drive into my garage, or eat a meal, I am reminded of the billions of people around the world who don’t have the bountiful life that I enjoy. It makes me all the more determined to try to make life a little better, for as many as I can,” states Johanna.
Her husband, Ron, is an elementary school teacher in Bath. She has two married daughters and three grandchildren, and lives on a farm in DeWitt Township that has been in her family since 1835. Johanna is a member of Gunnisonville United Methodist Church, near Lansing. She has a degree in social work from Michigan State University.